Play Store privacy on GrapheneOS

tisi

Hi all,

In an attempt to progress de-googling, I've taken the jump and bought a 2nd hand Pixel 8 Pro (I know, the irony of having to buy a Google device as a de-googling step; life isn't easy)
GrapheneOS install was relatively straight forward
I've tried following this (ironically again, google owned youtube) video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAoCfrqxIEg

I've utilised non Google app stores to install as many as I can of the apps that I need
That still leaves as I expected, approx 50% of the apps I need uninstalled
I am thus as expected, trying to use Google Play Store on the device
I've tried to create an anonymous gmail id with which to sign into Play Store with (as per the info in the above video)
Initially I tried using smspool.net for the phone number verification gmail demands when creating the new gmail account
The number I paid for from smspool.net was rejected by google as being used too often (with hindsight, that isn't entirely a surprise)
I've tried trawling the web and using AI tools to try to find an SMS OTP provider that reliably:

1) works with gmail
2) works in my current geography (Singapore)
3) Is anonymous (using an SMS OTP provider that demands id verification, to me seems to defeat the object)
4) isn't a scam

I'm unable to find an SMS service that I am confident meets all these requirements
Can anyone please suggest a constructive way to overcome this barrier?
Or am I doomed to using a gmail id traceable to me, and thus conceding privacy (albeit that is less privacy concession than using a stock android device)

Thanks for any help.

DeletedUser495

tisi you can also choose not using their services and apps with their code built-in if privacy (from them) is your main goal.

23Sha-ger

tisi

There are lots of services, all accept crypto:

https://kycnot.me/?categories=sms

tisi

DeletedUser495

Thanks for that reply.

"not using their services and apps with their code built-in"

Please pardon my innocence; can you clarify the above remark please?

DeletedUser495

tisi if you want to de-google then de-google, if you want to stay secure while sacrificing some privacy, use GrapheneOS with Play services as they recommend. There are no two ways about it. Vast majority of apps in Play Store (even some in other repositories like GitHub or Fdroid) come with Google libraries included. It is up to you to check. To see which libraries are being used you can use App Manager.

DeletedUser495

Don't get so hooked on the phone number, it is by far not the only identifier apps can leverage to fingerprint you for tracking purpose.