Messaging setup

anon626

So I created a throwaway google account for the Play Store. Installed Google messages so I can have RCS since most people I message are currently on iMessage and won't switch to Signal.

I don't want to lose encrypted chats, but with Google messages it needs my number which defeats the purpose of the throwaway account. So should I just sign out and use my main account?

Also if I did that would I have to reinstall all the apps? This is such a learning curve. Thanks.

Johnnyloans

anon626

You can be signed into multiple google accounts at once on an android phone.

Remove the throwaway if you wish. Might be beneficial if you expected something to be connected to or associated with your main google account but it was on the throwaway which your phone might treat as your main since you added it first.

Maybe you switch your main account in 1 spot or maybe you have to in multiple spots.

Perhaps someone else has more experience with thag

userofgos

anon626 you can use Google messages signed out.

anon626

Johnnyloans Yeah I'm assuming if I login on Google messages or Google maps with my main account Google would link that to my throwaway. Not sure what to do here. Might just scrap the throwaway and use my main account for everything. Idk.

anon626

userofgos Okay yeah it's letting me do that, but I still need my main google account for Maps with all my locations, so wouldn't the throwaway account still be associated with my main?

EverettHitch

userofgos you can use the app signed out but you can't update it which undermines security. That is why I'm saying there is nothing like a throwaway or anonymous account if you want to do it right.

userofgos

anon626 maybe indirectly. You could further isolate by putting Google maps in the private space, though I'm not sure how well it functions this way. Guess it's dependent on your threat model.

userofgos

EverettHitch you can use the app signed out but you can't update it which undermines security.

That wasn't what I was referring to. In the Google messages app, there is the ability to associate/link your messages/app data with your google account, but it is not necessary and you can select within the apps settings to use the app signed out. Similar to how you can use Google Maps signed out or in incognito mode.

And as I mentioned here userofgos there may be some indirect correlation, so I wasn't making any guarantees that it wouldn't still be tied to you in some way

anon626

userofgos not sure, is it really that bad to say screw it and use your personal gmail? The Play Store is sandboxed anyway and I'm only using it for the store, messages, and maps.

Johnnyloans

anon626

Yes, that's fine to use your personal google account.
Your friends, family, and data brokers will have you in their contacts as your real name so it isn't a secret that your phone number is connected to your personal identity.

anon626

Johnnyloans Ok thanks, made a throwaway account for nothing lol, but when i sign out what will happen to current apps? When I log in to my persona gmail will it just adopt the apps on my phone?

anon626

Johnnyloans When I sign out, what will happen to my current apps? When I log in to my personal gmail will it just adopt the apps on my phone?

Johnnyloans

anon626 When I sign out, what will happen to my current apps?

I haven't switched google accounts on my phone before I'm 98% sure you're fine.

All of the apps will stay. On your throwaway, you don't have: synced contacts, calendar, or paid apps so you're fine there. Maybe it won't let you sign out of every account. You could do that or sign into both at the same time then get rid of the other--whatever you prefer.
Both accounts will probably be linked by being connected to the same vpn-endpoint or home/work internet + any other metadata. It's a lot easier to de-anonymize data than people think. Could just take knowing 4 or all of the apps on your phone to identify you or know the 2 google accounts are for the same person whoever you are for example.