N-N Thank you soooo much. This all makes a lot of sense and fits with my logical brain. I have zero tech background or skills. Yes, the app store still works, reading your troubleshooting breakdown I agree that I was on an unnecessary/unhelpful detour. So grateful to you for parsing all of this out.
I don't know what adb is and didn't uninstall using commands. The gmscompatconfig app is there. I could force quit or disable. Is there a chance that one of these could solve the issue? Like how resetting a phone or computer or router sometimes can get it working again? I have been considering this since the beginning of this debacle and also concerned about making things worse, having the same instinct not to uninstall anything else. Looks like I can't uninstall it though? At least from the store.
I have actually only ever rarely used commands and only with detailed step by step instructions, like the really clear GOS installation instructions. Is BeauTyXT a good place to try running those commands? Do you think it's a good idea to try force quitting or disabling through the GOS app store first?
Sooo grateful for you taking the time to find those articles and engage to trouble shoot this with me. It is so helpful and means a lot.