Why do we need to flash gapps? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Newbie here, Why do i read everywhere that i need to flash gapps if I ever flash my device?
Is gapps Google Apps?

Yes they are apps and framework from Google, like Google sync, Gmail, Maps, Talk... Google asked ROM developers to remove their copyrighted gapps from their ROM so you have to flash it most of the time.

Yes, Gapps is Google Apps, and it includes the Market among other things...

We have to flash it separately because google asked several popular developers to leave google apps out of their roms since it contained proprietary software.

another noob here, just about to flash a custom rom (AKOP to GNex) for the first time.
if i have all apps (user and system) backed up with titanium, do i still need to flash gapps?
(on a slightly less relevant note: i'm copying all titanium backups as well as the rom backup from clockwork mod rom manager to my computer so as not to lose them when flashing the new rom because i'm not really sure if they would be wiped. will they?)
thanks for your help

I have aokp ms4, annd flashed the gapps thats on aokps website. I lost the Google Music player.. Is there a way to get it back?

Malarie said:
I have aokp ms4, annd flashed the gapps thats on aokps website. I lost the Google Music player.. Is there a way to get it back?
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I believe google music is still in the market. Just download it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I would keep your titanium backups on your comp, just in case. I wouldn't, however, back up system apps as that can cause conflicts when you're restoring in a different rom. Just back up user apps. And yes, you do still need to flash gapps.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium.

gonintendo said:
I would keep your titanium backups on your comp, just in case. I wouldn't, however, back up system apps as that can cause conflicts when you're restoring in a different rom. Just back up user apps. And yes, you do still need to flash gapps.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium.
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Precisely, well said.

artvandelay440 said:
We have to flash it separately because google asked several popular developers to leave google apps out of their roms since it contained proprietary software.
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Google did not ask "several popular developers." To my knowledge, it was only Google sending CyanongenMod a Cease & Desist... because of this, developers decided to respect Google and stick to the respective Google Apps rather than including them in their ROMs. It is illegal to include these gapps with their ROM. However, you're fine with including them until Google sends that developer a C&D but only CyanogenMod received the C&D.
As far as TitaniumBackup.. you can also sync your backups to DropBox and now Box.

another noob here...just wondering how do u flash gapps? im planning to flash AOKP anf they said to flash gapps...

trissc said:
another noob here...just wondering how do u flash gapps? im planning to flash AOKP anf they said to flash gapps...
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Download gapps from the given source and flash them via CWM like a ROM.

zephiK said:
Google did not ask "several popular developers." To my knowledge, it was only Google sending CyanongenMod a Cease & Desist... because of this, developers decided to respect Google and stick to the respective Google Apps rather than including them in their ROMs. It is illegal to include these gapps with their ROM. However, you're fine with including them until Google sends that developer a C&D but only CyanogenMod received the C&D.
As far as TitaniumBackup.. you can also sync your backups to DropBox and now Box.
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That's who I was referring to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

artvandelay440 said:
That's who I was referring to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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CyanogenMod at the time was a one-man project by Cyanogen himself. Not all these other developers who are now associated with the project.
@trissc: 1) Flash ROM
2) Flash Gapps
3) Flash Kernel (if desired).
NOTE: You will have to reflash gapps after flashing a updated version of the ROM. Otherwise you will lose the gapps.

Because Gapps are google's, they don't allow the third part developer use or edit them, but they allow users to download and install by themselves

Related

Need gapps?

I want to install Codename Android 3.4.1 today and have been reading the thread very closely, but there is one thing I cannot seem to get the answer for.
Why does someone need to install gapps? What's the problem with just installing the google apps from the play store? If I were to install a gapps, and an app therein receives an update, the gapps version won't update correctly? Only play store ones will update?
Anyways, seems to me gapps is unnecessary if I can just download from the play store. Obviously I'm asking this as I'm somewhat clueless and am very possibly missing something, so if someone could please explain I'd greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks in advance!
Gapps should have the same signature and package name as the ones from the play store.
Any updates will thus still be available.
Also, Gapps includes the play store...so without installing them you'd have no place to get applications.
Jubakuba said:
Gapps should have the same signature and package name as the ones from the play store.
Any updates will thus still be available.
Also, Gapps includes the play store...so without installing them you'd have no place to get applications.
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true, I learned this the hard way. :good:
People flash gapps as its needed to access their Google account, which includes access to the play store.
You could still install apps from a backup, for example.
Sent from my i9250
bk201doesntexist said:
People flash gapps as its needed to access their Google account, which includes access to the play store.
You could still install apps from a backup, for example.
Sent from my i9250
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Doesn't gapps also include access to online backups of contacts, pictures, et.al.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Xfanatic said:
Doesn't gapps also include access to online backups of contacts, pictures, et.al.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
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Yes, that is part of your Google account.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] CM10 - are gapps mandatory?

Hello!
Might sound like a stupid question :silly: but:
- is it necessary to install gapps? Or, if you just don't need/want them, don't install them and phone will work like a charm?
Asking because it says (quote):
install kernel
full wipe
flash rom
reboot into rom
reboot back into recovery
flash gapps
Just curious, as gapps install a LOT of things... Someone might need just play store, or just search, or just chrome, or... you know what I mean... :fingers-crossed:
Thanks in advance...
Gapps basically contain all the preloaded apps by Google (Google Maps, News and Weather, etc). Your phone will still work without flashing Gapps, but you'll be missing out on Google services, especially Google Now. So, it is better to flash the Gapps
Based on personal experience
jpn1tr0 said:
Gapps basically contain all the preloaded apps by Google (Google Maps, News and Weather, etc). Your phone will still work without flashing Gapps, but you'll be missing out on Google services, especially Google Now. So, it is better to flash the Gapps
Based on personal experience
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Yes, you're right about what's in gapps.
But, let's say, for me, I don't need Google Maps, as I have iGO. I also have another weather app, I don't need Google Now, and so on...
With gapps installed, it's a bit hard to tell which one of gapps you can freeze or uninstall, because they seem cross-connected...
Not to mention that it's no use to have some app on the phone that you don't use or need and it's just taking some memory...
So, basically, like you said, no need to install gapps and if I want just one app from Google, I install it. And the phone will work. Good, thank you!
You can install gapps and then use a root explorer to go into /system/app and delete the apps you don't need.
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app
whoshotjr2006 said:
You can install gapps and then use a root explorer to go into /system/app and delete the apps you don't need.
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app
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if u dont need a google account to sync and and all the google services, dont
Idk if this applies to the One V, but NOT flashing GAPPS could result in some functions not working like Lockscreen, Home button, and other elements.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Curiousn00b said:
Idk if this applies to the One V, but NOT flashing GAPPS could result in some functions not working like Lockscreen, Home button, and other elements.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
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OK, something new... I'll follow your idea... Thanks!
Why would you not want access to the play store?
sent from my Samsung Gangster S III on the T-Mobile network
md1008 said:
Why would you not want access to the play store?
sent from my Samsung Gangster S III on the T-Mobile network
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I can copy apk files that I need from PC to my SD card and install applications that I need/want. So, for me, play store is not necessary...

[Q] CM10.1 trashed my Google account

Hi everyone,
2 days ago, I updated my SGH-T989 running CM10.0 to CM10.1 Experimental. I shouldn't have done it, but at 7am before my first coffee my mind just said "Hey! There's an update to 10.1! Awesome!".
Anyway, it wasn't a good move. Since then I can't log into anything Google. When I go to my settings and look at the accounts, there isn't even a Google account type to add to my accounts. So no Gmail, no Google Play, no anything that requires Google.
Anybody else find this? Can anyone help me get it back?
samuelshirley said:
Hi everyone,
2 days ago, I updated my SGH-T989 running CM10.0 to CM10.1 Experimental. I shouldn't have done it, but at 7am before my first coffee my mind just said "Hey! There's an update to 10.1! Awesome!".
Anyway, it wasn't a good move. Since then I can't log into anything Google. When I go to my settings and look at the accounts, there isn't even a Google account type to add to my accounts. So no Gmail, no Google Play, no anything that requires Google.
Anybody else find this? Can anyone help me get it back?
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Did you dirty flash from CM 10 to CM 10.1?
did you flash the correct gapps file for 10.1?
if you didn't, you won't get any google apps.
The question is did he even flash gapps lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Shmi117 said:
Did you dirty flash from CM 10 to CM 10.1?
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I'm sorry...what do you mean by "dirty flash"?
mike-y said:
did you flash the correct gapps file for 10.1?
if you didn't, you won't get any google apps.
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I guess I didn't. I just found a link (goo.im) and am downloading them now. I'll let you know if it works.
mike-y said:
did you flash the correct gapps file for 10.1?
if you didn't, you won't get any google apps.
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Worked. Thanks!
Got them from goo.im/apps
glad it worked!
for future reference, whenever you flash a rom of a different OS number, you usually need to flash a new gapps (google apps) file to get the correct apps for that update.
And a "dirty flash" means you didn't do a factory reset (wipes cache, dalvik, and data) before you flashed the new rom. You should always perform a factory reset before flashing a new rom (unless it's just an update of the same rom), to clear out the old apps and files. Otherwise you can have compatibility issues.

Stock Nexus Apps

Im planning on rooting and flashing CM 10.1 on my ATT GS3. Last time I flashed I had trouble w/ Google Apps and other Nexus apps so I flashed back to stock image. So now I am wondering what is a good Google Apps package ( Google Now, Play Music, Play Store etc.), also need Camera app link, and how do I flash it ( can I just use TWRP). Basically I need links to get all the Nexus apps and how to flash them. Thanks for your help!:laugh: ~ You could say I am a noob
Typically, gapps are put together in a flashable package. There's no need to try to build it yourself. Just make sure to use the property version for the ROM your running. Typically, there are links in the first post of the ROM thread for GApps. If not, its available from goo manager. As for nexus apps, I'm not sure if those would be compatible with the S3.
mook111 said:
Im planning on rooting and flashing CM 10.1 on my ATT GS3. Last time I flashed I had trouble w/ Google Apps and other Nexus apps so I flashed back to stock image. So now I am wondering what is a good Google Apps package ( Google Now, Play Music, Play Store etc.), also need Camera app link, and how do I flash it ( can I just use TWRP). Basically I need links to get all the Nexus apps and how to flash them. Thanks for your help!:laugh: ~ You could say I am a noob
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The camera can be found in the themes and apps section. Its hit or miss for me but if you are cm or other custom ROM it will already be there. All gapps packages can be flashed in twrp using the install button. Just make sure you get the right version for your ROM.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

[Q] Google play services have stopped

hi all, last night i upgraded from cm 10.2 to cm 11 trough the updater and now i get a warning popup every 5-10 minutes saying that so and so app have stopped working, mainly google play services, should i re-flash gaps? thanks in advance
Try uninstalling the Google play services update and then update. I had the same issue on another ROM and it worked for me
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
i don't have an option to uninstall updates, only to uninstall the entire app thing
You probably have to flash kk gapps.. Uninstall anything gapps related and flash kk gapps
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
thanks, so what exactly are the gapps is it just like gmail, youtube, google play and such? will flashing kk apps just replace them?
no_username_available said:
thanks, so what exactly are the gapps is it just like gmail, youtube, google play and such? will flashing kk apps just replace them?
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No it's not those.. It consists of Google back up, sync, play store, and other things, but I think it'll be better to just wipe the system, reflash ROM, and then flash kk gapps.. You should be up and running by then
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
serio22 said:
No it's not those.. It consists of Google back up, sync, play store, and other things, but I think it'll be better to just wipe the system, reflash ROM, and then flash kk gapps.. You should be up and running by then
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
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This. Anytime you are moving to a new base (in this case Android 4.3 to Android 4.4) your best option is to do a full wipe and fresh install. You can backup and restore your app data to the new version, just not your system settings.
The CM installer tried to outsmart this but if it doesn't work perfectly, just do a full wipe and fresh flash.
However, if you want to try flashing a KK Gapps package, I'm sure it won't brick your phone. So it's worth a shot to see if that fixes it. It will only waste 30 seconds of your time if it doesn't.
Skipjacks said:
This. Anytime you are moving to a new base (in this case Android 4.3 to Android 4.4) your best option is to do a full wipe and fresh install. You can backup and restore your app data to the new version, just not your system settings.
The CM installer tried to outsmart this but if it doesn't work perfectly, just do a full wipe and fresh flash.
However, if you want to try flashing a KK Gapps package, I'm sure it won't brick your phone. So it's worth a shot to see if that fixes it. It will only waste 30 seconds of your time if it doesn't.
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so just flashing kk apps might brick it?
no_username_available said:
so just flashing kk apps might brick it?
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No. I said that WON'T brick it. That's why it's worth a shot.
No risk. High potential reward.
You might also try using Titanium to manually uninstall all google apps and services before flashing the KitKat Gapps package.
Skipjacks said:
No. I said that WON'T brick it. That's why it's worth a shot.
No risk. High potential reward.
You might also try using Titanium to manually uninstall all google apps and services before flashing the KitKat Gapps package.
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thanks man, i screamed YOLO and just flashed it, time to see if it'll work lol
EDIT: thanks a ton bro i flashed kk apps and its all fine and dandy working perfect

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