Any proper way to set up a user profile just for online gaming?

EbiFri

Hi everyone, as the title said.
In my threat model, my goal is to remaining my privacy and security but still able to enjoy the online games.
I would like to set up a pseudonym in a new user profile just for play games and top up to buy something in games with Google Play Gift Card.
Is there any proper way to set up this user profile and reach my goal?
Thank you!

N1b

EbiFri You've got it pretty much on point in my opionion: Make a user profile, install Sandboxed Google Services, use an anonymous/pseudonymous Google Account that you charge up with gift cards, enjoy games.

The only thing that come to my mind is that creating an anonymous Google account might be tricky as Google will ask for a phone number if too many red flags are raised. Some countries require identification for phone numbers so that could be an issue. Best suggestion I have for you is to register on a public WiFi without VPN and instantly activate 2FA so you're not running into another phone confirmation request down the line.

[deleted]

EbiFri Depending on where you're from you should be mindful on whether any games you're planning to play are 18+. Gift cards might not even cut it in the long run. My Play Store region is in the EU region and can't download anything rated PEGI 18 without at least adding a card, even something as benign as Element..

EbiFri

N1b creating an anonymous Google account might be tricky as Google will ask for a phone number if too many red flags are raised. Some countries require identification for phone numbers so that could be an issue.

I haven't thought that far yet, thanks for your suggestions!

To be honest It's been a long time not owning a Google account since I deleted my old one. How to activate 2FA after created the account? Is that TOTP/HOTP?

Also I have another two questions:

If the steps mentioned above are finished, will using a VPN to play games makes Google raise the red flags and ask my phone number ?
Should I consider using Aurora store? I never use this applications, AFAIK it is just an open source front end Google Play Store, and that's all I know. Will it benefits me and how? What's others' experience?

mmmm

N1b

Sorry to but in to the thread, but any ideas on countries which don't ask for a phone number? I havent found it possible to get a Google account without them asking for at least the last several years. Maybe a vpn or something into a country that doesn't have the requirement could help. Or else does anyone have other ideas on getting an anon google account?

N1b

EbiFri yes TOTP is possible, my accounts are secured via Aegis (Google wants to push you towards Google Authentificator, but you can usw any TOTP app).

In my experience once TOTP is set up, Google doesn't force a user to enter a phone number. I guess it's part of their security measurements and you are considered well enough secured with TOTP.

As for Aurora Store, I don't think it makes sense for your use case. It's mainly a Play Store alternative for people who don't use Play Services or don't want a Google account, but you'd still have to purchase your games through Play Store anyway... Also many games might not work without Google Play Services, and in app purchases won't likely work either. I recommend you stick to Sandboxed Play Services in a separate gaming user profile for what you want to achieve.

[deleted]

EbiFri If the steps mentioned above are finished, will using a VPN to play games makes Google raise the red flags and ask my phone number

I've been using a long standing throwaway account for a long time over VPN with no issues, but I've been perviously kicked out of another Google Account before being demanded a number on login 'for suspicious activity', so even my mileage varies.

Mask7

Good evening guys, I'm in the similar situation and I glad I found this discussion, tells me what I have to look up and consider. I also have a question about Google red flag raising.

Will installing some privacy respecting front end apps like Libretube, Newpipe, GMaps WV, etc that has to install from GitHub or other open source platform raise Google's red flag? Like will Google Play Service detect what apps I have?

[deleted]

Mask7 Apps sharing a profile can see each other. But to your question, there are no documented cases of something like this occurring (apart from a lonely anecdote). Frankly, I don't think they care.

N1b

Mask7 if you are worried about Google snooping, you might just do what OP is doing and install Sandboxes Google Play in its own user profile and use it only for apps that require it (aka games, maybe some banking apps, etc). Newpipe and other cool Open Source app can stay on another profile and don't require Play Services to work.

[deleted]

[deleted] (apart from a lonely anecdote)

The user who reported that issue did not say that they installed Newpipe in a different user.

[deleted]

[deleted] I'm sorry for not reading what @[deleted] said properly, but It isn't possible for users to delete their posts on this forum, so I can't delete my post either

N1b

mmmm you could get an US or UK eSIM with https://silent.link but that would cost you a yearly fee. You could also use https://smspool.net to get a cheap SMS confirmation, but you won't have further access to the number so you'd need to make sure to have 2FA active and treat it as an account you could lose anytime.

I have used both services myself for other use cases and they served me well.

mmmm

N1b

Thanks for the info. Silent link looks interesting.

[deleted]

N1b treat it as an account you could lose anytime.

No. Google will send the user an SMS OTP to verify whether they're human and when they enter It, They can click Skip now to not add the number to their account.