Google Play Services. Permissions.

GOS-user

Edited post.

I only need Google account to download the Banking app. Maybe 1 or 2 more secondary apps, and that's it. I don't think Aurora can provide that, can they? I do have an old Google account but don't want to use it for obvious reasons. So, I want to set up a new account, and never use it for anything else than maintaining the 2 or 3 apps that I can't function without and that are only available in Play Store. Here is the question: how on Earth can I avoid giving away a phone number? I can't see any way around it... Burner sim seems the only remaining option at this stage. I wonder how it's going to work with the future updates, that is of course if I miraculously manage to download the disired apps... and what if they (google) will ask me periodically to verify my account... I can't imagine to be topping up my extra sim solely for that reason... I also set up an additional email account to be linked with google for verification. Ah, when I tried to add the Google account both from the phone (pixel 5a) and the browser (Vanadium), in the 'phone field' there was no option to add other alternatives for identity verificatuon as I had read in some website articles. So, the phone number is all that remains. Am I right?
I downloaded Google Play Services package to my secondary phone space but when I went to some settings on my primary private space, esp permissions settings, then Sensors and to my surprise all big bunch of google-related 'elements' have access to Sensors. Should I worry? They (google) say they need access to sensors so that the package can function. All I know it is BS, they only want to collect as much metadata as possible. But indeed, untoggling some permissions may cause the package to malfunction so what do I do? Keep the settings as they are? Ideally, I don't want to share one bit of my personal life with those people.

233328

I don't think Aurora can provide that, can they?

You can probably download the apps you need with Aurora Store. There are some apps that refuse to work unless they were installed through the Play Store. You would have to try to see if your apps have that requirement or not. Although, Aurora Store does not automatically update apps and isn't very reliable.

how on Earth can I avoid giving away a phone number?

This has been discussed several times in other threads and I'm not going to say anything that hasn't already been said, but I'm gonna say it anyway... Either you create an account from a normie-looking network like your home wi-fi or public wi-fi or you get lucky with a VPN.

What I did was to create a Google account with VPN and gave a temp phone number for SMS verification by using 5sim.net. It cost something like 15 cents to receive one SMS with a random phone number. There are more services like this.

what if they (google) will ask me periodically to verify my account...

Google only needs to do initial verification. They don't pester with other verification requests later (as long as you don't do anything weird) so it's safe to delete the number from the Google account afterwards in my experience. It continues working.

But indeed, untoggling some permissions may cause the package to malfunction so what do I do?

If you only need sandboxed Google Play to install/update apps and/or to handle notifications for messaging apps, you can revoke all its permissions aside from Network. The Sensors permissions can be revoked. Just because an app tries to access Sensors doesn't mean it needs it to function. If you don't want the Sensors permission to be enabled by default for newly installed apps, toggle off the switch in Settings > Privacy > Allow Sensors permission to apps by default

GOS-user

Seriously, noone can drop a line of help? Well, thanks ;-D I will get my burner sim today and take it from there. Fk Google btw.

GOS-user

Thank you kindly for a hearty patient response! God bless you, sir! The only problem with a paid temporary phone service is that I will lose any anonymity paying for it online. ;) In that sense, it is probably better to get a pre-paid sim for cash in a shop. Sure enough, when I log in to my banking app after installing it, I will obviously provide my nearly full personal data, so maybe there is no point trying to 'hide'. Then again, I can still hope that logging in to a banking app is not in every form linked with the Google database, but I do not trust them at all so I believe Google knows that a person X is using a banking app simply because of registering credentials or metadata, that alone is compromising a user but I believe there is no way around it.
Again, thank you for your help!

233328

GOS-user

The only problem with a paid temporary phone service is that I will lose any anonymity paying for it online

Some of those services can be paid for with crypto and even Monero. I paid for 5sim's service with Monero. Sending them the equivalent of just 1$ gets you enough credit for a bunch of different one-time SMS verification numbers so it's also very good value. It's pretty much a no-compromise method. Although I can understand if some people find crypto too cumbersome.

GOS-user

233328 I am yet to discover my way with crypto, and yes, XMR is my choice, I did enough research to know that much. Could you maybe direct me to any simple tutorial how to start this journey? Something seriously simplistic and detailed, e.g. explaining what mining is, why you should do it, where and how to get xmr for cash, etc. Sure enough, as for the wallet choice, I should probably use their one official wallet and steer clear of a bunch of scammy onws. That's where my knowledge ends lol
P.S. I am not being lazy, I read loads about it. I thought maybe it would be practical to ask someone who is already in, and you seem to be that person :))

applesbana

GOS-user

Just go to https://sms4sats.com/

Very straightforward and lightning is pretty private

Pilot

You don't want to go into mining. Whether its Monero or BTC. If you are going to get BTC which would be my only suggestion the only mobile wallet you should ever use is Samourai. For cold storage do not use Tezor and the like. Cold storage is best implemented with Cold Card and Cold Card only. Mining cannot be explained here and is only worth the effort if you have super cheap access to energy and a lot of money. My rule is Botcoin and Bitcoin only. Use Monero for your purposes burlt never hold it for future gains. Only buy and hold Bitcoin. Nothing else. Buy Bitcoin privately if u can. You can get it on exchange like Gemini. I have not tried Aegis via Fdroid might be an option. A 25 a week buy will add up over time. I used to run Masternodes lots of them. They are high risk so just stay out of that for sure. I got lucky a few times but chances are you won't its too late. Tone Vays find him on YouTube. Never trust people who shill shitcoins. Good luck.

GOS-user

applesbana will google allow me to register the account with this (and similar) service?

GOS-user

Thank you (the 2 of you ;)) kindly! I will surely make effort to educate myself!

applesbana

GOS-user

It’s worked for me :)