Android is an open source operating system, but the most popular version of it – and the one that is found in most cellphones for sale – is the version of Google and Google apps. Google apps are among the most popular, but not the only ones: there are many alternative apps out there, although many of them need google services to work.
If your mobile does not have Google services because it is a new Huawei, because it has a special ROM or simply because you have chosen it, we show you here alternatives to Google apps that work without their services And that, technically, you can use it on any mobile phone even if it has AOSP or HMS.
Alternative à Google Play
If your mobile doesn’t have Google Play, the closest thing you’ll find is Aurora Store. The kinship is not only in the design, but the applications inside as well. Aurora Store is an unofficial Google Play client, so it shares a catalog with the Google store. You can download it from their website.
If you prefer apps from Open source, the same creators have Aurora OSS, an alternative client of the F-Droid repository. If you need more alternatives, nothing prevents you from downloading the Huawei App Gallery, which also works on other brands’ mobiles, after installing Huawei mobile services (they are installed automatically).
Alternative to Google Keep
There is certainly no shortage of Notes apps on Android, although not all are the same. However, finding a Notes app similar to Keep for ease of use and functionality is not as straightforward as we would like. Notes Adler it is quite close to it.
The design of Adler Notes is very similar to that of Google Keep, with support for color notes, images, voice memos, labels and reminders. And, best of all, it works perfectly without Google services.
bloc notes
Alternative to Google Maps
Ici Maps et Google Maps Go
One of the biggest problems when deleting Google from Android mobile is finding an alternative to Google Maps. Many mapping applications use Google MapsThey therefore do not work without Google services.
However, all is not lost. On the one hand, you have Here the cards, which is useful for routes and navigation and on the other hand Google Maps Go, for everything else. Google Maps Go is basically the web version of Google Maps and it works fine without Google services.
HERE WeGo – Navigation in the city
Alternative to Google Duo
Google Duo is an application very easy to make video calls. Although it is not mandatory to sign in with your Google account, the application does not work correctly on a mobile without Google services.
While many messaging apps include video calling (and some work without Google services), the alternative that shares simplicity the best is probably Jitsi Meet, a simple app to build. Video calls without limit of participants and free.
Jitsi Meet
Alternative to Google Fit
Google Fit is a centralized place where you can monitor your activity and health data. Some mobile brands have their own application for this, although it is often exclusive to their own devices.
If you’re looking for something similar to Google Fit but not, the app from Huawei health It has similar functions and does not require Google services, but Huawei. The app itself is responsible for installing them without you having to do anything.
Huawei Health
Alternative to YouTube
Replacing the YouTube app with another player is easy, but replacing YouTube content is less so. Fortunately, you have both in NewPipe, a unofficial YouTube player which works without connection and without Google services.
In NewPipe you have almost the same as YouTube and more. It has support for downloads, background playback and floating window. If you also want to do without content hosted on YouTube, other alternatives are Vimeo or Dailymotion.
Vimeo
Alternative to Google Photos
It’s impossible to find an app that does everything Google Photos does, but if we stick to gallery function for mobile photos, the options abound. Moreover, even if your mobile doesn’t have Google services and apps, it surely already has a gallery app.
If you are looking for an alternative, Google Go’s own gallery is simple and works perfectly without Google services. If you prefer it not from Google, a good alternative is Quikpic Classic, a pre-app version has gone to the dark side.
Gallery Go from Google Photos
Alternative to Google
The Google app does a lot more than searches, but if we focus on those searches, Huawei’s new petal search is a good alternative. Works on any mobile, even if it’s not Huawei if you install it from its APK, although the application installs its own services, those of Huawei.
Petal Search has a search bar similar to Google’s, it has your own discovery and it allows you to search the web, also pictures, videos and apps. Another option is to use Bing.
Alternative to Chrome
Surprisingly, Google Chrome works on mobiles which do not have Google services, although some functions such as synchronization are not available. Anyway, if you’d rather do without it, the closest thing to Chrome that isn’t Chrome is the Kiwi browser.
The Kiwi browser is virtually identical to Google Chrome, with built-in ad blocking, more customization options than Chrome and with extension bracket, something that the mobile version of Chrome doesn’t have.
Kiwi Browser – Fast and Quiet
Alternative to messages
Whether your mobile has Google services or not, it surely already has a messaging application to receive SMS. In the event that this is not the case, you will be interested to know that Google Messaging works perfectly on a mobile without Google services.
That said, if you prefer an alternative, you can try SMS Messenger, available on F-Droid, Chomp SMS or any other alternative. In this case, it is almost more common for the alternatives to work without Google services.
messages
Alternative à YouTube Music
Google Play Music and YouTube Music are easily replaced by the many Android music players. There is music players for all tastes and in most cases, they will also work on mobiles without Google services.
To listen to streaming music, Spotify also works perfectly on a mobile without Google services, so it will not be difficult for you to replace the YouTube Music / Google Play Music streaming.
Spotify: music and podcasts
Alternative to Google Drive
The clearest alternative to Google Drive is without a doubt Microsoft OneDrive. The operation is very similar, the only difference being that you sign in with your Microsoft account and not Google.
With OneDrive, you can upload and manage files in the cloud, scan photos, and even make a backup of your mobile photos, similar to Google Photos. If you also use the rest of the apps around the house, better than better, because they fit in perfectly.
Microsoft OneDrive
Alternative to Google Docs
In office automation, you could say that Microsoft Office is the norm, so Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are kind of the alternative. The easiest way to replace the Google office suite is with Microsoft.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are available on Android as separate apps, and you can also download Microsoft Office as a single application all in one, including OneDrive Notes.
Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint et plus
Alternative to Gboard
With complete certainty that your mobile will come with a keyboard application, even if it does not have Google services. Own AOSP keyboard is quite similar to Gboard, you would therefore already have a very valid alternative.
If you prefer other apps, Openboard is something like an open source version of Gboard. It doesn’t have all that Gboard has, especially if we’re talking about customization, but it’s free, it doesn’t have ads, and it’s quite similar to the Google keyboard.
OpenBoard
- Developer: dslul
- Download it on: Google play
- Price: Free
- Category: Tools
Source: Frandroid