Gmscore: Messages won't run unless you update Google Play Services

[0pLuS0]

Hello

I'm running an Mi A1 Stock Oreo. I used the Terminal Debloater and removed as much of Google as I understand...

When I click on Messages I get a popup saying;

Update Google Play Services
Messages won't run unless you update Google Play Services

Apps Installed
Xposed - version 90-beta 3
FakeGapps - 2.0
Magisk 16.0
Services Core - com.google.android.gms-9258259.apk
Services Framework Proxy - com.google.android.gsf-8.apk
Store (FakeStore release) - com.android.vending-16.apk
DroidGuard Helper - org.microg.gms.droidguard-4.apk

I'm attaching two screen shots showing the microg settings.

Thanks

[ildar]

I guess that's Google's Messages, not AOSP. You can kick it off and get
something more FOSS, e.g. QKSMS (Messaging app) -
https://f-droid.org/app/com.moez.QKSMS

[untoreh]

same with gdrive

[0pLuS0]

Actually after dealing with this I started looking at Signal;

https://signal.org/

Then I read around, and of course there were articles talking the app down, but after further investigation it was just rubbish.

Signal looks to be as good as it gets, and everyone should spread the word on this app, and everyone should use it, and why, because in some parts of the world, Cellphone Providers retain sms/mms messages by law, under data retention...

I don't know about anyone else, I don't want my plain text messages and pics retained by anyone!

So I will now gladly rip out Google's Crap 👎

By the way, I've haven't really looked, but are there good phone replacement apps? Signal has a Voice feature... hmm

[ArchangeGabriel]

Signal is a good app, but requires data. If you want to encrypt your SMS, you should use Silence.

I don’t know of any app allowing to encrypt phone calls while using the standard phone feature.

But if you’re looking for alternatives, there are Signal, Wire, Ring, Riot…

[0pLuS0]

@ArchangeGabriel what do you mean Signal requires data? SIgnal encrypts sms too...

Hmm

[ArchangeGabriel]

No it does not (it used to, but stopped some years ago).

[ArchangeGabriel]

(See https://signal.org/blog/goodbye-encrypted-sms/)

[0pLuS0]

@ArchangeGabriel my brain must be in a fog, because I do not understand what you are saying... :(

So what are you saying?

Sorry... :(

[0pLuS0]

Oh ok, well, the HOME page;

https://signal.org/#page-top

This makes you think it's still using Encrypted messages, maye something has changed and that blog is old/outdated...

hmm

[ArchangeGabriel]

That’s because those messages are not SMS. Try sending a real SMS to someone that does not have Signal (or just turn data off), you will see that the message won’t be encrypted.

[0pLuS0]

@ArchangeGabriel

Oh my bad I guess all along you meant WiFi Data, not Cell Carrier Data...

But now after reading that blog, it doesn't seem like sms/mms encrypted is good, and an app like Silence isn't going to be good to use?

Hmm

[ArchangeGabriel]

Maybe we have an issue with terminology. For me data and data plan mean you can use internet with your phone. Whereas in my country, you can have unlimited SMS but not a single MB of data.

[ArchangeGabriel]

(No, it was not about WiFi)

[ArchangeGabriel]

Of course encrypted SMS are not as good as using e.g. Signal, but if you don’t have mobile data but only SMS, you have no choice.

[0pLuS0]

I hear you on the Data aspect, that is true, can have SMS, but not Internet...

Well I guess maybe Silence for sms, and when you can use Wifi then use Signal for greater security...

You can never have enough security... LOL

Thanks