NordVPN asks for Palystore Login

ame

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and use Graphene OS for 2 years now.

Since today after a update of the NordVPN app connecting won't work without login in to Google Play service. I don't want that.

I tried to install the Open VPN app. After install I installed the files from NordVPN but still de VPN won't connect. Can anybody help me?

IcyScroll

ame hello and welcome!

While that's not precisely what you're asking for, I would suggest changing your VPN provider to a more reputable, such as Proton, Mullvad or IVPN. As far as I know, apps can choose to require a signed-in Google profile. The 3 options I mentioned would never do this.

I don't know if there's a way to bypass logging in if it's required by an app. My educated guess is that it's not feasible.

Let's see if others can advise.

vont

I know it's not convenient, but personally I would just get one of the other reputable vpn's mentioned by others here.

What Nordvpn is doing would be a complete turn off to me. It's like some of these companies and developers are slowly herding everyone to big G.

This type of thing is why I immediatly get rid of Firefox on a linux install because they push big G out of the gate yet claim to be a privacy browser. I get you can change search providers, but I can't cut slack to companies that engage in this subtle corraling to big tech.

Miles

vont you can use librewolf instead of firefox.

MrLinux

I currently use IVPN and I like using it b/c you don't need an account to use it and it is independently owned.

1488

MrLinux Highly recommend both Mullvad & IVPN. Mullvad & IVPN do require an account, but it doesn't require any personal information to create one since it gives you an account ID instead.

ame

@"vont", IcyScroll and MrLinux thank you for your reply.

I guess I don't have a choice but to use another VPN client like IVPN.

What I don't understand and maybe you can help me with that is when I installed the app from NordVPN it automatically created a VPN in the settings of Graphene OS.

Today I tried OpenVPN and followed the directions on internet and from NordVPN and then it should work. But it does not. In the settings of Graphene OS I don't find a VPN client for OpenVPN.

Am I doing something wrong?

de0u

ame Today I tried OpenVPN and followed the directions on internet and from NordVPN and then it should work. But it does not. In the settings of Graphene OS I don't find a VPN client for OpenVPN.

Has the OpenVPN app been launched?

ame

de0u
Yes I have launched the app and downloaded the server files which I want to connect to.
After I have opened a server file I need to put in a user name and password conform instructions from NordVPN.

I followed the step of the following link: https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19926132780689-Manual-OpenVPN-setup-on-Android

I won't make a connection and I don't understand why.

vont

Miles Right now I have been just sticking to brave for desktop and vanadium for Graphene. 👍

ame

The only thing for now is I have a subscription until february 2028 for NordVPN..

I think I gonna wait for the next update for the NordVPN app and checkout if it will work again.

After my subscription by NordVPN I will go to Mullvad or IVPN.

I guess probably that there is no work around.

IcyScroll

ame you could try generating a wireguard config file on Nord's website and use your VPN connection without their official app. I don't know if NordVPN supports this feature, so you'd need to check. Bear in mind it's kind of cumbersome if you need to switch servers often. It's one server per config file.

ame

IcyScroll

Thank you for your reply I don't think NordVPN supports Wireguard config file. I can't find it on the website.

They only support OpenVPN config files, which I tried and don't work.

ame

I found what the problem was. But I think there is no solution.

In the main account I have installed Google Play services and Google Play store. These apps have no permission.
When I give those apps permission to connect with the internet I can login with a google account, which I don't want too.

I guess I have to wait for an update from NordVPN and try to connect after that and when my subscription is over I guess I'll switch too one off the recommend VPN's like Mullvad, IVPN or Proton.

Or does anyone else have a solution?

Qb66gf

ame Just a thought, can you contact their customer support saying you cannot get it working as you can't/don't want to sign in with a Google account and seeing as the Google sign-in was not a condition for use when you purchased the subscription, maybe you can request a refund and cancellation of your subscription service.

Good luck with whatever you do.

ame

Qb66gf
Thank you for your advice, I didn't think about that.

I think I'm going to send them a mail.

When I get a reply I will keep you all updated.

ame

Just started a chat message with Nord VPN.

They can't help me. They suggest I contact Google why I need to sign in with Google Play.

Disappointing.

ame

Update, after a while another operator helped me.

The trick for me was to install the app not via Play Store of Aurora Store but via a link.
https://downloads.cn-accelerator.site/apps/android/generic/nordvpn-sideload/latest/v2/NordVPN.apk

For updates the NordVPN will tell you to update, so this is working again.

Thank you all for helping me out.

BTW: I didn't tell them I was on Graphene OS.

ehsjoar1967

Thanks ame. The issue with that is that one would need like an md5sum/sha256sum of that file from some authority (e.g. NordVPN could have them published on their site). Just installing random APKs is not what I am going to do. That is not why I am on GrapheneOS to start with.

I got a similar response from NordVPN with an even worse link (some go.onelink.me URL) and I have asked for the official md5sum/sha256sum.

IcyScroll

ehsjoar1967 ask for sha256sum for the certificate that is used for signing the official app, in case it's different than the one used for apps Nord distributes via Play Store. You can then use AppVerifier (from Accrescent) to verify if it matches what you downloaded. Feel free to post it to this forum as well.