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What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?

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  What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-01 02:08 +0000
    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 08:11 +0100
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-01 09:24 -0600
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-01-01 15:46 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 04:36 +0000
    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-01-01 10:13 +0000
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-01-01 10:50 +0000
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 12:05 +0100
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Newyana2 <newyana@invalid.nospam> - 2025-01-01 07:48 -0500
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 15:33 +0100
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 15:36 +0000
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Newyana2 <newyana@invalid.nospam> - 2025-01-01 13:24 -0500
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 20:36 +0100
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 05:04 +0000
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-02 08:47 +0100
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2025-01-01 19:40 +0000
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 21:16 +0100
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2025-01-02 08:47 +0000
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-02 11:46 +0100
                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2025-01-02 21:04 +0000
                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-02 18:40 -0600
                          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2025-01-03 09:10 +0000
                            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-03 11:24 -0600
                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-03 07:32 +0100
                          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2025-01-03 09:28 +0000
                            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-03 11:40 -0600
                              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-03 18:36 +0000
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 18:25 +0000
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 20:46 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 15:23 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-01 10:08 -0600
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-01-01 17:07 +0000
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-01 11:55 -0600
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 18:59 +0000
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-01 20:31 +0100
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 20:57 +0000
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-01 22:55 +0100
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-02 16:34 +0000
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 18:31 +0000
                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-02 21:24 +0100
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-02 02:02 -0600
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-02 15:26 +0100
                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 18:42 +0000
                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-02 21:25 +0100
                          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-03 04:42 +0000
                            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-03 11:48 +0100
                              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-03 16:23 +0000
                              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-03 19:58 +0100
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-02 01:56 -0600
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 11:59 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-01-01 16:57 +0000
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 21:32 +0000
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-01-01 22:33 +0000
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 05:31 +0000
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-01 09:29 -0600
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 16:14 +0000
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 05:17 +0000
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 01:14 +0000
    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-01 19:52 +0100
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 21:05 +0100
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-01 20:49 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 05:50 +0000
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 06:00 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-02 11:35 +0100
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-02 15:55 +0100
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-02 17:26 +0100
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 18:51 +0000
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-02 21:17 +0100
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-03 04:51 +0000
                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-03 11:49 +0100
    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-01 23:19 +0100
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 01:28 +0000
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-02 02:08 -0600
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andrew <andys@nospam.com> - 2025-01-02 18:58 +0000
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-03 23:29 +0100
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-03 23:28 +0100
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-04 00:30 -0600
    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Siard <xx@xx.invalid> - 2025-01-04 13:24 +0100
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-04 13:39 +0100
        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-01-04 18:25 +0000
          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-04 15:10 -0600
            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-04 23:15 +0100
              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-05 11:07 +0100
                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-05 11:34 -0600
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "R.Wieser" <address@is.invalid> - 2025-01-06 10:00 +0100
                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-10 18:14 +0100
                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-01-10 17:33 +0000
                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-11 12:52 +0100
                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-11 14:01 -0600
                          Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-12 16:39 +0100
                            Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-12 17:53 -0600
                              Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-13 17:29 +0100
                                Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2025-01-13 15:39 -0600
                                  Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-14 09:57 +0100
                                    Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-14 13:24 +0100
                                      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2025-01-14 20:51 +0100
                                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-01-14 22:59 +0100
                        Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-01-13 09:20 +0000
      Re: What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS? Newyana2 <newyana@invalid.nospam> - 2025-01-11 08:58 -0500

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#146044

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

>   I always thought that *other* *apps* (not devices), could talk to
> Google Fit and that Google Fit then showed a consolidation of all the
> data.

There is the Health Connect app, also from Google, which describes
itself as linking health data from multiple apps.  Seems to be a health
app data aggregator, but I've never used it to be sure.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.healthdata
"Health Connect by Android gives you a simple way to share data between
your health, fitness, and wellbeing apps without compromising on
privacy."

Of course, Andrew isn't going to believe anything regarding privacy when
Google is involved.

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#146055

On 2025-01-02 09:02, VanguardLH wrote:
> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> 
>>    I always thought that *other* *apps* (not devices), could talk to
>> Google Fit and that Google Fit then showed a consolidation of all the
>> data.
> 
> There is the Health Connect app, also from Google, which describes
> itself as linking health data from multiple apps.  Seems to be a health
> app data aggregator, but I've never used it to be sure.
> 
> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.healthdata
> "Health Connect by Android gives you a simple way to share data between
> your health, fitness, and wellbeing apps without compromising on
> privacy."

I don't think it is actually an app. I think I have it installed, but it 
does not show in the list of apps. Ah, wait, it is called "Salud 
connect" here. Yet the list of apps doesn't list it, but google play 
says it is installed and offers to open it. It may be a configuration 
applet showing inside of the setup wheel - no, it is not there. I can 
only start it from google play.

> 
> Of course, Andrew isn't going to believe anything regarding privacy when
> Google is involved.

:-)

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.

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#146063

VanguardLH wrote on Thu, 2 Jan 2025 02:02:53 -0600 :

> Of course, Andrew isn't going to believe anything regarding privacy when
> Google is involved.

Hi VanguardLH,

You're wrong. Again.

Rest assured I've read everything you've posted to this newsgroup for 
years, where I'm well aware your IQ is below normal, so be aware please 
that you can't possibly comprehend *any* approach to privacy on Android.

Most people are too stupid to understand the implications of privacy.
That's why people like Rudy & Chris & Carlos simply give up on privacy.

It's too complicated for them.
And for you.

All of you hate that you're stupid; so you blame me for your ignorance.
So be it.

Suffice to say you always guess - and you always guess wrong, VanguardLH.
I've told you that before - but your mind can't handle basic facts.

Rest assured I have *plenty* of Google Accounts, VanguardLH. Tons of them.

So you *can* have privacy even when a Google Account is involved.
I realize your IQ is so low you can't comprehend that statement.

But it's true.

The *biggest* step toward privacy when Google is involved is to never use 
the three Google apps which automatically infest Android with an account.

Again, I realize that simple statement, obvious as it is, is still too 
advanced for your low-IQ brain to fathom - but rest assured, it's true.

As long as you avoid those (easily avoided) 3 Google apps, you're off to a 
good start on obtaining privacy on Android without Google tracking you.

To the original topic, which takes at least an average IQ to comprehend, so 
far nobody yet has found even a single Google app that can't be replaced by 
a privacy-aware app - and which doesn't infest Android with an account.

Can you?

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#146067

On 2025-01-02 19:42, Andrew wrote:
> VanguardLH wrote on Thu, 2 Jan 2025 02:02:53 -0600 :
> 
>> Of course, Andrew isn't going to believe anything regarding privacy when
>> Google is involved.
> 
> Hi VanguardLH,
> 
> You're wrong. Again.
> 
> Rest assured I've read everything you've posted to this newsgroup for 
> years, where I'm well aware your IQ is below normal,

Insulting again. Not reading the rest of the post.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.

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#146077

Carlos E.R. wrote on Thu, 2 Jan 2025 21:25:24 +0100 :

> Not reading the rest of the post.

The fact remains VanguardLH does NOT know the difference between a Google
login on the Internet versus a Google account integral with the phone.

Who on earth, is *that* stupid, Carlos?
Given that obvious fact, I ascribed an IQ of about 50 to VanguardLH.

What IQ do you calculate for people on this ng *that* stupid, Carlos?
And do YOU know the difference yourself, Carlos?

I suspect not.

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#146089

On 2025-01-03 05:42, Andrew wrote:
> Carlos E.R. wrote on Thu, 2 Jan 2025 21:25:24 +0100 :
> 
>> Not reading the rest of the post.
> 
> The fact remains VanguardLH does NOT know the difference between a Google
> login on the Internet versus a Google account integral with the phone.
> 
> Who on earth, is *that* stupid, Carlos?

Insulting again.

No read.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.

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#146106

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2025-01-03 05:42, Andrew wrote:
> > Carlos E.R. wrote on Thu, 2 Jan 2025 21:25:24 +0100 :
> > 
> >> Not reading the rest of the post.
> > 
> > The fact remains VanguardLH does NOT know the difference between a Google
> > login on the Internet versus a Google account integral with the phone.
> > 
> > Who on earth, is *that* stupid, Carlos?
> 
> Insulting again.

  Not only insulting, but insulting, as usual, based on his
*mis*representation of someone's *actual* position/comments/non-
comments/etc..

  Misrepresenation due to malice or stupidity? What about *both*?

> No read.

  I *cannot* read what my news server rejects! :-)

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#146114

Carlos,

>> The fact remains VanguardLH does NOT know the difference between a Google 
>> login on the Internet versus a Google account integral with the phone.
>>
>> Who on earth, is *that* stupid, Carlos?
>
> Insulting again.

Besides goading you with the *suggestion* /he/ does know - but somehow 
forgot to tell.

Funny that: No tutorials of his we can look at, nothing to(dis)agree with 
here.   Its almost as if he's trying to hide something ...

Obvious games are obvious.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

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#146043

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

>   Anyway, I always needed a Fitbit account for our Fitbits (Alta HR,
> Charge 4, Charge 5 and Charge 6). Without an account, the Fitbit won't
> sync, also not to the Fitbit app on the phone. And to sync, it needs an
> Internet connection. Stupid design, but that's the way it is.

Only if you need the Fitbit device to sync somewhere.  Fitbit upped the
minimum Android version, so I couldn't use it anymore.  For many months
now, the Fitbit device still works all by itself.  The app gives you
more, but I really didn't need more.

>   So, on the phone, do you use the Fitbit app or another app, if so
> which one?

Fitbit cut me off on compatibility with my old phone with its old
Android 8 version.  Don't remember when that happened, maybe over a year
ago, so I've just been using the Fitbit Luxe wrist device without any
sync to anywhere.  If I wanted to manually log its data, well, Excel
works.  My BPM (Blood Pressure Meter) has Bluetooth and a phone app, but
I don't bother, and just enter the readings into a spreadsheet.  The
spreadsheet shows history, and I added trend lines.  However, I've never
bothered recording externally the data from the Fitbit device.

The app adds extras, and some convenience for tracking (history).  I
don't need them.  Others feel they must.  I only wear mine at the gym.

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#145984

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
> > Andrew wrote:
> > 
> > > What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?
> > > 
> > > For example, YouTube app functionality can be replaced by the open-source
> > > NewPipe app, which does NOT need a Google Account set up on the phone.
> > 
> > Just using https://m.youtube.com/ would likely be good enough for most 
> > people
> 
> To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a legacy Fitbit
> account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you need to sign in with the
> Google account, which installs the Google account centrally on the phone,
> which means that account infests the rest of the OS and gets used for other
> stuff (eg Play Services/Store).

  Are you sure about that? Can't you just use a Google account to login
into the *app*, instead of into the *system*/OS? Many apps have such
functionality, i.e. an app-specific login, so I wouldn't know why the
Fitbit app would be any different.

  FWIW, we still have legacy Fitbit accounts and are not going to
convert to Google accounts until we have to.

> If your phone vendor supports 'user profiles' you can make a new profile,
> add the Google account there. Then it won't interfere with other profiles
> and you can terminate the session by logging out after you're done.

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#145999

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> > To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a legacy Fitbit
> > account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you need to sign in with the
> > Google account, which installs the Google account centrally on the phone,
> > which means that account infests the rest of the OS and gets used for other
> > stuff (eg Play Services/Store).
> 
>   Are you sure about that? Can't you just use a Google account to login
> into the *app*, instead of into the *system*/OS? Many apps have such
> functionality, i.e. an app-specific login, so I wouldn't know why the
> Fitbit app would be any different.

It shows under Settings -> Accounts, and the Play Store uses it without
asking.  There's no way to sign out of it apart from deleting it from the
phone.  If I do that the Fitbit app stops working and wants a sign in again.

Theo

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#146016

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> > Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> > > To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a
> > > legacy Fitbit account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you
> > > need to sign in with the Google account, which installs the Google
> > > account centrally on the phone, which means that account infests
> > > the rest of the OS and gets used for other stuff (eg Play
> > > Services/Store).
> > 
> >   Are you sure about that? Can't you just use a Google account to login
> > into the *app*, instead of into the *system*/OS? Many apps have such
> > functionality, i.e. an app-specific login, so I wouldn't know why the
> > Fitbit app would be any different.
> 
> It shows under Settings -> Accounts, and the Play Store uses it without
> asking.  There's no way to sign out of it apart from deleting it from the
> phone.  If I do that the Fitbit app stops working and wants a sign in again.

  So you already had a Google account on the phone and used that for the
Fitbit app, so you can no longer remove the account from the phone
(Settings) and use the Fitbit app with the *same* Google account.

  But the scenario I was talking about was: Phone *without* a Google
account (after all, that's the subject of this thread). User wants to
use Fitbit app. Fitbit app wants a Google account. My suggestion:
Create/have a Google account, do *not* use it for the *phone* (i.e. it's
not in Settings) and just use it to login into the *Fitbit app*. I see
no reason why that shouldn't work.

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#146026

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> > Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> > > Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> > > > To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a
> > > > legacy Fitbit account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you
> > > > need to sign in with the Google account, which installs the Google
> > > > account centrally on the phone, which means that account infests
> > > > the rest of the OS and gets used for other stuff (eg Play
> > > > Services/Store).
> > > 
> > >   Are you sure about that? Can't you just use a Google account to login
> > > into the *app*, instead of into the *system*/OS? Many apps have such
> > > functionality, i.e. an app-specific login, so I wouldn't know why the
> > > Fitbit app would be any different.
> > 
> > It shows under Settings -> Accounts, and the Play Store uses it without
> > asking.  There's no way to sign out of it apart from deleting it from the
> > phone.  If I do that the Fitbit app stops working and wants a sign in again.
> 
>   So you already had a Google account on the phone and used that for the
> Fitbit app, so you can no longer remove the account from the phone
> (Settings) and use the Fitbit app with the *same* Google account.
> 
>   But the scenario I was talking about was: Phone *without* a Google
> account (after all, that's the subject of this thread). User wants to
> use Fitbit app. Fitbit app wants a Google account. My suggestion:
> Create/have a Google account, do *not* use it for the *phone* (i.e. it's
> not in Settings) and just use it to login into the *Fitbit app*. I see
> no reason why that shouldn't work.

No, I had no Google account anywhere on the phone.  The Fitbit account
wanted me to 'Sign in with Google'.  This also *signed in the whole phone
with Google* (ie Play Store, everything).  If I removed that account from
the phone in Settings -> Accounts, the Fitbit app wasn't signed in and
wanted to 'Sign in with Google'.  Around the circle we go.

The only way to avoid this is to create a separate user profile and install
the Fitbit app into it (as the only app besides the system apps).  That
signs that whole profile into Google, but doesn't affect the apps installed
in other profiles.  When are done with the Fitbit app, stop that profile and
go back to your other profile that has no Google account in it.  This only
works if your phone OEM has enabled user profiles.

Theo

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#146039

Theo wrote on 01 Jan 2025 22:33:55 +0000 (GMT) :

> No, I had no Google account anywhere on the phone.  The Fitbit account
> wanted me to 'Sign in with Google'.  This also *signed in the whole phone
> with Google* (ie Play Store, everything).  If I removed that account from
> the phone in Settings -> Accounts, the Fitbit app wasn't signed in and
> wanted to 'Sign in with Google'.  Around the circle we go.
> 
> The only way to avoid this is to create a separate user profile and install
> the Fitbit app into it (as the only app besides the system apps).  That
> signs that whole profile into Google, but doesn't affect the apps installed
> in other profiles.  When are done with the Fitbit app, stop that profile and
> go back to your other profile that has no Google account in it.  This only
> works if your phone OEM has enabled user profiles.

I tested this and Theo is correct as far as my empirical tests showed.
   <https://i.postimg.cc/7ZRtbdHN/fitbit01.jpg>

My test just now was... 

1. I never had a Google Account set up on my Android phone even as 
   I have many Google Accounts which I log into on my Android phone.

2. Anonymously, without using the Google Play Store app, I used the 
   canonical FOSS Google Play Store replacement app to install FitBit.

3. This anonymously installed the exact same FitBit app from the exact
   same Google Play Store repo that a Google Play Store app would install.

When I tried to use that Google FitBit app from the Google Play Store repo, 
the Google FitBit app gave me the choice of logging into FitBit or Google.

The choice of FitBit apparently requires a pre-existing FitBit account.
Which I don't have. (I don't even know what FitBit does in fact.)

My only choice was the Google login, which, surprise, did exactly what Theo
said it would do - and it said it would do it - it *infests* the Android
phone with a Google Account even when there is no Google Account integral
to Android settings (in Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts).
  <https://i.postimg.cc/x1NZwj5G/account02.jpg>

This means we need to find an alternative (hopefully open-source) to FitBit
if we wish to have any possibility of privacy when using it with Android:

 *For privacy, what is a suitable alternative to the Google FitBit app on Android?*
 <https://www.novabbs.com/computers/article-flat.php?id=56645&group=comp.mobile.android#56645>

BTW, what does FitBit do?
Whatever it does - that's what we want to find a FOSS replacement for.

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#145990

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a legacy Fitbit
> account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you need to sign in with the
> Google account, which installs the Google account centrally on the phone,
> which means that account infests the rest of the OS and gets used for other
> stuff (eg Play Services/Store).
> 
> If your phone vendor supports 'user profiles' you can make a new profile,
> add the Google account there. Then it won't interfere with other profiles
> and you can terminate the session by logging out after you're done.

I thought all accounts were globally defined.  That's why when you add a
new app with an existing account, it is found from the list in Android.
Any app having you add another account then adds it to the Accounts list
in Android.  Not just Fitbit does this.

Android settings -> General -> Accounts

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#145994

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> 
> > To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a legacy Fitbit
> > account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you need to sign in with the
> > Google account, which installs the Google account centrally on the phone,
> > which means that account infests the rest of the OS and gets used for other
> > stuff (eg Play Services/Store).
> > 
> > If your phone vendor supports 'user profiles' you can make a new profile,
> > add the Google account there. Then it won't interfere with other profiles
> > and you can terminate the session by logging out after you're done.
> 
> I thought all accounts were globally defined.  That's why when you add a
> new app with an existing account, it is found from the list in Android.
> Any app having you add another account then adds it to the Accounts list
> in Android.  Not just Fitbit does this.
> 
> Android settings -> General -> Accounts

  And those accounts are only accounts on your *phone* (i.e. in
Settings) if the app so chooses. For example I have apps for several
airlines and for only one of them (KLM! :-)) the account shows up under
'Accounts and backup' in Settings.

  And BTW, Fitbit is *not* listed in my list of accounts (but as I said
before, I still have a legacy (non-Google) Fitbit account).

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#146038

Frank Slootweg wrote on 1 Jan 2025 16:14:17 GMT :

>> Android settings -> General -> Accounts
> 
>   And those accounts are only accounts on your *phone* (i.e. in
> Settings) if the app so chooses. For example I have apps for several
> airlines and for only one of them (KLM! :-)) the account shows up under
> 'Accounts and backup' in Settings.
> 
>   And BTW, Fitbit is *not* listed in my list of accounts (but as I said
> before, I still have a legacy (non-Google) Fitbit account).

This thread has two separate components, to date:
 A. What Google apps cannot be replaced with private equivalents, and, 
 B. Which Google apps are the most dangerous in terms of privacy loss?
    (As those are the critical Google apps to define replacements for!)

For the latter question, and with the useful information provided by Theo,
we now collectively know of three Google apps which infest the Android
operating system with a system-wide integral account - which - wipes out
any chance of privacy (which means we need to find a FitBit replacement).

Google apps which automatically infest Android with a SETTINGS account:
 1. Google Gmail app (luckily which is easily replaced with a FOSS MUA)
 2. Google Voice app (probably which can be replaced by some other VOIP)
 3. Google FitBit app (maybe which may have an open source replacement)

So that we all learn from the dialogue, do you know of any others Frank?

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#146028

Theo wrote on 01 Jan 2025 10:50:47 +0000 (GMT) :

> To use a Fitbit, you need a Google account (unless you have a legacy Fitbit
> account from years ago).  To use the Fitbit app you need to sign in with the
> Google account, which installs the Google account centrally on the phone,
> which means that account infests the rest of the OS and gets used for other
> stuff (eg Play Services/Store).
> 
> If your phone vendor supports 'user profiles' you can make a new profile,
> add the Google account there. Then it won't interfere with other profiles
> and you can terminate the session by logging out after you're done.

Only Theo, so far, seems to understand that simple fact, so everything
said, so far, is off topic except what Theo said about FitBit.

Nobody else who posted seems to understand these are NOT the same thing:
1. An account on the Internet (often which requires a login/password)
2. That account as an integral part of the Android operating system

Those are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS which only Theo understood, sadly.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/x1NZwj5G/account02.jpg>

Think of it this way if you must:
a. A bank app might require an account (which often requires login/passwd)
b. But that bank account is NOT an integral part of the Android OS

Only Theo answered the question on topic.
Nobody else even understood what was being asked (sadly).
 <https://i.postimg.cc/Bnyr9fP1/account01.jpg>

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#146003

On 2025-01-01 03:08, Andrew wrote:
> What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?

I need my bank app, which I'm sure checks for the google environment. I 
know that payment by phone is done using Google Wallet, and phone to 
phone payment via Bizum; both require the google auth. Besides that, I 
use a Fitbit watch, and that also requires a login. My car GPS depends 
on Android Auto, and runs other google apps and tools.

So no, I'm not interested in finding out what I can do without a login 
to google.

Good luck igniting another flame war, Arlen :-)

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.

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#146009

Carlos,

>> What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?
...
> Good luck igniting another flame war, Arlen :-)

I think you are misjudging arlen here.  Its more than likely he really wants 
to know what he asked for.

The only problem is that he's, as so often, not really thinking about the 
impossibility of *what* he's asking.   It will take an exorbitant ammount of 
time to go thru *all* the available google apps and trying to find 
replacements for them, just to come up with the (short)list he actually 
wants.

And damnit, does /everyone/ here know that Andrew is the next nym of Arlen ? 
I thought I was the only one here who knew that. :-)

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

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