Questions about Pixel 7a

[deleted]

chipotledonut This looks wild, but not unlike some other reports. Outside of Signal and WhatsApp everything looks comparable to mine though. If linked thread doesn't provide you with any ideas you can try installing Play (in Owner or secondary) and report back. You would probably also need to reinstall apps in question so they could detect Play services running on your device.

chipotledonut

[deleted] This looks wild, but not unlike some other reports. Outside of Signal and WhatsApp

Yes, I have read those threads and someone said that it was way worse in cell network and 5G, that's why I tried. In WiFi, 2% for 1 day and some hours for Signal. That's ok. 20% in 8-9 hours is crazy.

It doesn't matter anymore, I need location services to be working perfectly so I have to install Google Services.

Edit: Ideas in those threads were to not use 5G. I guess I can do that but I seems to me like don´t drive the car so you won´t get into an accident.

Edit 2: from that thread:

Edit: Apparently this happens only on mobile data for me. When I use only WiFi, Signal hardly shows up in the stats. Also the battery usage of other apps using websockets in the background drops significantly. Which makes me believe (at least in my case) there is nothing Signal could do about it.

Same than me.

[deleted]

chipotledonut

I tested GPS a couple of times and not the best experience without Google Services.

I came from LineageOS with MIcroG and there, at least, mozilla unified kind of worked decently.

I can't speak for that as I don't use GPS very often, but my experience of LineageOS for microG is the opposite although I used it lightyears ago.

My experience on GrapheneOS is truly stock like, especially when you install everything in the Owner, even without granting my location to Play services. I'm just sorry you're not having as great of a time.

chipotledonut

[deleted] I'm just sorry you're not having as great of a time.

It is all good, I actually bought a Pixel because I wanted a clean OS and 'minimal Google Services' for great GPS location.

I ditched LineageOS with Micro G precisely because location was just ok.

So, better than LineageOS and Gapps, Graphen Os with Google Services.

I tried to do it without it when I saw that banking apps were working without Google Services. But no problem.

chipotledonut

I also saw an increase of WhatsApp. Not that much but it wen from 2% to 6% when on mobile data. By the way, Whatsapp won´t deliver instant notifications, when phone is idle for a long time, unless you wake it up, Whatsapp won't do it. Tested today.

[deleted]

chipotledonut I ditched LineageOS with Micro G precisely because location was just ok.

Least of its problems

I tried to do it without it when I saw that banking apps were working without Google Services.

The problem with this approach is while a lot of apps do work without Play services, Play Store is unfortunately currently the most robust and secure way to update both the apps that work without it and the ones that don't. It's still a massive improvement over stock Android seeing as this is basically a regular third-party store but on steroids.

chipotledonut

[deleted] Play Store is unfortunately currently the most robust and secure way to updat

I used Auroa Store. I don´t even have a Google Account. Should I use the Play Store or keep using Aurora?

[deleted]

chipotledonut If you search around this forum and elsewhere you'll find that people, especially ones using their 'anonymous login' (read 'Google Accounts belonging to other people') are having almost daily issues with
it so it's flaky at best, to say nothing of its many ailments. If you install all 3 Play apps on your GrapheneOS device, there's virtually no reason to keep using Aurora and you'll have a much time better using Play Store instead.

chipotledonut

[deleted] sounds good, I will do that.

[deleted]

chipotledonut I use a throwaway account. Google is lenient towards fake names and DOB. It might ask for a phone number but it might not depending on your connection, but you will have better luck creating it from the Play Store app and not from desktop.

chipotledonut

[deleted] the only permission for notifications and locations is network and for Google Play Services, right?

GSF and Play Store I can safely disable all permissions, including network? (i will enable network to update apps)

[deleted]

chipotledonut Network to all three, battery exemption to Play services only. Configuring location is explained here.

Play Store will prompt you to allow to update itself and might also ask to update (become an installer of record for) Google Play services. You should allow it.

chipotledonut

[deleted] I get all my apps from obtanium from their githubs. A lot of them are in the play store.

Should i reinstall them from the play store? I wouldn't like to do that.

[deleted]

chipotledonut If apps you got installed via Obtanium match ones on Play Store, Play Store will be able to see them and become installer of record for them. If these are different (some FOSS version that is only distributed through GitHub), it won't see them and won't be able to update them.

[deleted]

I'm away for today but if you'll have any issues many people here and in the Matrix chat room will be able to help you.

chipotledonut

[deleted] thanks for your help. I installed Google Services, location right now is obviously spot on which was very important for me. It makes my life so much easier when I travel. I really need that.

I reinstalled all the apps from the play store that didn't have a github release apk (obtanium) and now everything is working fine so far. I will test it on mobile data.

I appreciate your help, privacy is important to me but functionality is more important. I guess I could have created another user profile but too much trouble. With Scopes and permissions I can limit pretty well what to share and since I have to use Whatsapp, Spotify and Instagram no matter what (fake accounts all of them), this is the best I can do.

Last question, Play Store asks for an update of itself. I didn't do it because I thought GrapheneOS Apps should do that.

MoonshineMidnight

I don't have a battery issue with Signal. My 6a had a battery issue on stand-by, but it resolved on its own. I figure a GOS update resolved it. I'm also not too keen on Whatsapp. Not fully open source and owned by Facebook/Meta. Signal is a fully open source non-profit. Even with phone number I don't see a prob personally even if Signal has my truncated, hashed phone number. In fact, the only way Signal (or the guv) can know you are a using the app is by downloading Signal from the Google or Apple app stores. Use their GitHub APK. https://signal.org/bigbrother/cd-california-grand-jury/

[deleted]

chipotledonut Last question, Play Store asks for an update of itself. I didn't do it because I thought GrapheneOS Apps should do that.

This should clear it up for you.

I'm glad I could help.

[deleted]

chipotledonut I guess I could have created another user profile but too much trouble.

Profiles have a lot of funky upstream issues affecting quality of life but can be useful. Overall running everything in Owner is still a massive privacy upgrade over Stock.

chipotledonut

[deleted] By the way, any clue about this?

chipotledonut Vibration. I can turn off vibration either in APPNAME or in settings notifications APPNAME in my phone for each app. So notifications only vibrate when I turn vibrate mode on. Works with everything except calls. Calls always vibrate, even when I turn off vibration in Notifications Phone (I go to Notifications, Phone, and then I can see Default, Incoming Calls, Missed Calls... all of them are off for vibration)

It is driving me crazy.

Lukas

[deleted] User profiles aren't worth it. Most of the people who use them don't know why they're using them or what benefits user profiles provide them.

[deleted]

Lukas Most of the people who use them don't know why they're using them or what benefits user profiles provide them.

Agreed

Oggyo

Lukas Most of the people who use them don't know why they're using them or what benefits user profiles provide them.

Partially agreed, but how do you know that? Based on the discussions in the forum?

Lukas User profiles aren't worth it.

I strongly disagree. If you don't need them - do use them, it doesn't cost you anything when the user profiles service is not utilized.

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