Banking app not usable unless I install from Google PlayStore

a3n3a

I've recently started using GrapheneOS on my Pixel phone.
Was wondering how you deal with (banking) apps that behave like this

Attention

You have to to install this app from the Google PlayStore to garantee the correctness of your banking (KBC) app.

(I cannot continue using the app)

I've installed this app from the Aurora Store. Is there a way to circumvent this block or am I out of options?
I'm aware this isn't actually caused by GrapheneOS, but maybe there is someone that has dealt with this issue before.

Eagle_Owl

a3n3a
Hi all,
because almost every new GOS user has this question, I want to recommend my solution:
The user profile remains Google-free for me.
I use a separate user profile for Google Play-dependent apps.
Of course, this also includes banking apps.
You usually use a banking app once a day for a few minutes to check account balances and make transfers.
So a quick switch to the profile set up for this purpose is much easier and less stressful than other solutions already suggested here.

Oggyo

The same issue I guess?
Check the fresh discussion here - https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/3852-revolut-app-from-aurora-store-stopped-working-today

a3n3a

Looks like the same kind of problem, but wasn't aware of this one. Thanks for the link.
My banking app just throws a (debug) error, TXT-CD,LAA001 and refuses to elaborate further.

Seems like my only option will be to use Google Playstore.
Sad how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Edit: using the Aurora Session mode

W1zardK1ng

Apps started doing a check on the source of installation, if it finds the installation source is something other than play store it redirects to google play store or if the play store is not installed the apps just crashes.
try installing the apk through ADB using the command, this will make the app installation source as google play store.
adb shell pm install -i "com.android.vending" -r (path to apk)

first you need to push the apk to tmp folder using .
adb push app.apk /data/local/tmp/app.apk

then run
adb shell pm install -i "com.android.vending" -r /data/local/tmp/app.apk

a3n3a

W1zardK1ng

Sorry for the late reply.
Tried that,
App ostensibly installs but fails to start.
I can attach crash report here or in PM if you want.

Graphite

4 months ago. Likely a change in the API broke Aurora Store's ability to spoof the installer id.

https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/issues/836

Hopefully it'll be fixed.

Graphite

Nevermind. It's a known thing, and they won't spoof the installation source.
https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/issues/699

throw1001

Tangentially related to this, I noticed some functionality of some apps might not work if not installed with the help of the Google Play Store.

For example the AirBnb app has also a section dedicated for hosts, and when that is accessed, I think some extra files are downloaded. This part of the app was always giving me an installation error when using the Aurora store but worked like expected via the Google Play Store.

I would be curious to know more about this behavior is someone can offer some more technical details.

matchboxbananasynergy

throw1001 That sounds like it's using Play Asset Delivery.

I expect that in the future, more and more apps will start relying on Play Store specific functionality that will make solutions like Aurora Store not usable.

[deleted]

matchboxbananasynergy That sounds like it's using Play Asset Delivery.

Its probabaly using Play feature delivery, since from what I understand Play asset delivery is mostly useful only for games

a3n3a

I took a look at the error and it was an app bundle, Was able to install it with the following commands

pm install-create -S (total size of all apps) -i 'com.android.vending' --> returns session id
pm install-write -S (individual apk size) (sess id)  --> for each part of the app
pm install-commit (sess id)

Followed a guide to install it this way. Not very familiar with adb, but it worked.
Will be a hassle without automation to keep this up to date I think.

vvf69107

WITHOUT A PC:

Use App Manager or Shizuku (easier) to spoof the app source.

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/6828-how-to-hidechange-app-source

E24

If I may, you could use the web app for most of your needs and then a separate profile for the actual app. This is what I do currently