Need for Google Play Service on some apps but not others

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Technofreak

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#248286 18-Mar-2019 17:50

I run an non Android OS (Sailfish) that has a compatibility layer that allows the use of Android apps.

Why is it that some apps need access to Google Play Services and some don't? Sailfish doesn't natively support Play Services.

For example HereWeGo and Waze work and have access to location (GPS) on the phone yet Gaspy will not work because it cannot obtain a location. Gaspy doesn't specifically state it needs Play Services but I suspect this may be the cause of the problem with that app and one or two other apps I have had issues getting to work.

Some apps that require Play Services still work but not all functions are available, e.g. Sportstracker which will not display a map but still records the activity which can be uploaded normally.

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muppet

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#2201181 18-Mar-2019 21:24

Because there are a lot of APIs that are part of Google Play Services.

For example, Firebase Messaging, formely Google Cloud Messaging. It's the platform that almost all apps (in the Play Store) use to push messages to your phone. Because it means that only Play Services keeps a single TCP session open for push messages, instead of every app keeping a session open which would never let your phone sleep.

There are tonnes of other APIs that are part of Google Play Services that aren't part of stock Android. It's been Googles "clever" way to keep Android itself open source, but basically useless. You need the proprietary Google Play Services for the full Android experience most people expect.

Location API is another one you've found. Yes, apps can query the GPS directly, but it's much much easier (And better for battery) that only Play Services does it and then it can tell all the other apps where the phone is. That's why your app doesn't work, it's trying to access the Play Services Location API.

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muppet

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#2201183 18-Mar-2019 21:26

You could try installing https://opengapps.org/ which is a Free "clone" of some of the more commonly used Play Services APIs.

muppet

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#2202229 20-Mar-2019 09:21

Just realised I farked up here.

OpenGApps is just a open repackaging of Google's actual apps.

The open source "reverse engineer" build thing is called the MicroG project.

Apologies.

Still, if you can get OpenGApps working on your device, a lot more things will work properly.

Technofreak

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#2202278 20-Mar-2019 10:31

Thanks, looks like there is a package I can install via Terminal that works.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5