I'm wondering if there is anyone here who can speak to the stability of Google Apps (hangouts, Gmail, etc.) sideloading them onto the fire phone along with Google lay services. I'm really interested in this phone but am not sure if I can give up my gapps.
I've only had the Google Apps on my phone for a day. I don't use hangouts, but I do use Gmail and the Drive suite, as well as Maps. I'm using the most recent version of Amazon's OS.
Here's my take on some of the Google apps:
My Gmail isn't getting refreshing emails as fast as I'd like it to, though I'm not sure if that's some sort of issue on my side (connectivity or something) or an issue with the app (Note, while I'm typing this post, my Gmail just instantly got an email as soon as it was delivered and alerted me to it...). Gmail does nice little popup alerts and seems to integrate well with Amazon's OS, though.
Maps has some issues with road labels on the most recent version (seems to work fine with some older versions, as per a post on this forum somewhere). I'd consider this app a no-go for now, unless you don't need to read road names at any point. The Maps app that comes with the phone is good enough though (it actually looks a lot like a skinned version of Google Maps, without the social integration and "places to go" recommendations) and I've used it for a 2h drive already with no hiccups.
Drive, Quickoffice, Docs, all work well and I'm able to access, edit, etc, on my phone.
Chrome and Chrome to Phone work.
Google Play Music works for music downloaded on the device (unsure how it works with Google's cloud music service)
Google Play (the appstore) works and delivers updates to apps.
I can give hangouts a go, but I'm not really sure what to look for in terms of functionality.
Google Play apps install and run. I've tried Snapchat, Pixel Dungeon, Soundcloud, and some others. G+ login works, and your Google account is set up when you first try to launch the play services like it would be on a brand new stock Android phone so you get the same kind of Google account integration that you expect from Google's Android.
Edit:
I'd see if you can get some more info from other people... As far as I'm aware, installing Google Play and Google Services doesn't work for everybody. They have for me though, and I'm really happy with the device as it is now, especially considering what I paid for it unlocked.
snapplefish said:
I've only had the Google Apps on my phone for a day. I don't use hangouts, but I do use Gmail and the Drive suite, as well as Maps. I'm using the most recent version of Amazon's OS.
Here's my take on some of the Google apps:
My Gmail isn't getting refreshing emails as fast as I'd like it to, though I'm not sure if that's some sort of issue on my side (connectivity or something) or an issue with the app (Note, while I'm typing this post, my Gmail just instantly got an email as soon as it was delivered and alerted me to it...). Gmail does nice little popup alerts and seems to integrate well with Amazon's OS, though.
Maps has some issues with road labels on the most recent version (seems to work fine with some older versions, as per a post on this forum somewhere). I'd consider this app a no-go for now, unless you don't need to read road names at any point. The Maps app that comes with the phone is good enough though (it actually looks a lot like a skinned version of Google Maps, without the social integration and "places to go" recommendations) and I've used it for a 2h drive already with no hiccups.
Drive, Quickoffice, Docs, all work well and I'm able to access, edit, etc, on my phone.
Chrome and Chrome to Phone work.
Google Play Music works for music downloaded on the device (unsure how it works with Google's cloud music service)
Google Play (the appstore) works and delivers updates to apps.
I can give hangouts a go, but I'm not really sure what to look for in terms of functionality.
Google Play apps install and run. I've tried Snapchat, Pixel Dungeon, Soundcloud, and some others. G+ login works, and your Google account is set up when you first try to launch the play services like it would be on a brand new stock Android phone so you get the same kind of Google account integration that you expect from Google's Android.
Edit:
I'd see if you can get some more info from other people... As far as I'm aware, installing Google Play and Google Services doesn't work for everybody. They have for me though, and I'm really happy with the device as it is now, especially considering what I paid for it unlocked.
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Click to collapse
if you're getting successful results then you should consider sharing what you did and how you did it so we can get the ball rolling.
Also you're able to sideload most apps (besides google apps) and they work normally? Im considering buying this phone with the current deal
sram21092 said:
if you're getting successful results then you should consider sharing what you did and how you did it so we can get the ball rolling.
Also you're able to sideload most apps (besides google apps) and they work normally? Im considering buying this phone with the current deal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I detailed what I did here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57161714&postcount=24
(Here's the post where I got the instructions from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57095260&postcount=9 )
I didn't change the directory where I sideloaded the Vending.apk, I just sideloaded it in with everything else. I don't remember if I briefly tried to install the Play store before without Google services, but that's probably why I had to adb install with the -r flag.
Before I installed Google services, some apps were working fine without them. Notably, Snapchat complained every time I brought it up, but ran fine. I would wait a bit for some more input from people... From what I've heard around here, it's just me and another guy (Aztecwarrior, the guy whose method I used in that thread) who have it working at the moment. I'd say you can sideload most applications without installing Google services.
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/ is what I used to pull APKs to sideload before installing the Google services and Play store.
EDIT: I should mention that the Play store doesn't just deliver updates to apps... I've been able to completely install and manage applications through it; it works just as you'd expect it to work on any other phone for the moment. i.e., you don't need to sideload apps first to get them on the phone if you've installed all the Google stuff. Sorry for the ambiguity in my previous post.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Another question: so far have you noticed that you've been getting a number of error massages/application crashes? I had previously installed google apps and services on my fire hdx and constantly received messages that various apps were crashing in the background, which I found super annoying.
Has anyone else had luck with play music? Does it work for all access?
Just a follow up on why I care about hangouts- I run all of my phone and text through google voice and this has been integrated into hangouts. I'm a cheapskate and can use the hangouts app to place calls and send/receive texts so I don't pay for minutes or texts. I'm one of the few people who doesn't care too much about missing play store, since I have the hdx, I've got a bunch of apps off of the amazon store.
bmbriefs said:
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Another question: so far have you noticed that you've been getting a number of error massages/application crashes? I had previously installed google apps and services on my fire hdx and constantly received messages that various apps were crashing in the background, which I found super annoying.
Has anyone else had luck with play music? Does it work for all access?
Just a follow up on why I care about hangouts- I run all of my phone and text through google voice and this has been integrated into hangouts. I'm a cheapskate and can use the hangouts app to place calls and send/receive texts so I don't pay for minutes or texts. I'm one of the few people who doesn't care too much about missing play store, since I have the hdx, I've got a bunch of apps off of the amazon store.
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Click to collapse
No background crashes -- yet -- at all. I've also enabled background ANRs in the dev options, and nothing's popped up from that either.
I don't have all access for Music, so I can't comment on that.
I just installed Hangouts and gave it a cursory launch... It loads up, enabled SMS (loaded all my conversations from the Fire Phone's messenger app), has all my contacts loaded up to start a conversation. Is there anything specific you'd want me to try?
Thanks again! Glad to hear you're not getting the annoying error messages. I think this pretty much seals the deal for me.
On the fire phone, is it possible to change the default sms and dialer apps?
On last request.... could you give the hangouts dialer a shot? This allows you to place calls over wifi using hangouts.
bmbriefs said:
Thanks again! Glad to hear you're not getting the annoying error messages. I think this pretty much seals the deal for me.
On the fire phone, is it possible to change the default sms and dialer apps?
On last request.... could you give the hangouts dialer a shot? This allows you to place calls over wifi using hangouts.
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Click to collapse
Regarding default apps, everything is handled via intents (e.g. I set chrome to take all web requests)... when I enabled hangouts sms, I started getting texts to hangouts without being notified by the default app, so I think that much is configurable. The dialer, I'm not sure.
I'm in class right now (and pretty much until 9pm, and lots of homework), but I'll check hangouts dialer and default apps when I have time.
Did you root it first ,if so, did you use the same method as aztecwarrior?
No root. I used the guide that Aztec referenced, but not his exact steps. Check post #4 in this thread, the first few lines.
bmbriefs said:
I'm wondering if there is anyone here who can speak to the stability of Google Apps (hangouts, Gmail, etc.) sideloading them onto the fire phone along with Google lay services. I'm really interested in this phone but am not sure if I can give up my gapps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the Play Store, Hangouts, and Gmail off and on the last 12 hours or so. It's been rock solid for me. No crashes. Haven't found any missing features. Maps does seem to have some issues but haven't tried navigation yet, which is what I really would use it for.
Thanks to you all for your input. I bit the bullet and ordered one before the sale ended.
Now I tried the procedure from scratch (all apks uninstalled and rebooted the phone) several times with different apk-Versions (mainly 2 different links as d/l source).
My Play Store is always not getting any connection and I am not able to d/l apps from the store. Additionally, G Servies crashes every few minutes. I did follow the procedure like apk installation order, reboot, etc. No luck .
Btw. my fire phone is NOT rooted and is on fire OS 3.6.2.
natter.
natter_deluxe said:
Now I tried the procedure from scratch (all apks uninstalled and rebooted the phone) several times with different apk-Versions (mainly 2 different links as d/l source).
My Play Store is always not getting any connection and I am not able to d/l apps from the store. Additionally, G Servies crashes every few minutes. I did follow the procedure like apk installation order, reboot, etc. No luck .
Btw. my fire phone is NOT rooted and is on fire OS 3.6.2.
natter.
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Click to collapse
Have you tried checking for a firmware update in the settings? When did you get your fire phone? I think the ATT/Carrier-bound FPs have some slight differences in hardware and firmware.
snapplefish said:
Have you tried checking for a firmware update in the settings? When did you get your fire phone? I think the ATT/Carrier-bound FPs have some slight differences in hardware and firmware.
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Click to collapse
Hi snapplefish,
there is no firmware update available, when I am checking in the settings. I did get my phone from Amazon Germany with T-Mobile Sim lock (German localization - maybe that is why e.g. there is no 3.6.8 fire OS firmware available yet) early october 2014 when it was launched here. They sold it accidently for 10 bucks w/o a carrier contract.
Is there any hardware id of phone that can be checked? I could find:
Fire OS 3.6.2 (122009420)
Model No. SD4930UR
Btw., latest versions of Account Manager and Framework from my second phone do not install. Play Services 6.5 and Play Store 5.0 will install, however, no change compared to the older versions linked in the tutorials --> no 'my apps' tab in G Play Store.
natter_deluxe said:
Hi snapplefish,
there is no firmware update available, when I am checking in the settings. I did get my phone from Amazon Germany with T-Mobile Sim lock (German localization - maybe that is why e.g. there is no 3.6.8 fire OS firmware available yet) early october 2014 when it was launched here. They sold it accidently for 10 bucks w/o a carrier contract.
Is there any hardware id of phone that can be checked? I could find:
Fire OS 3.6.2 (122009420)
Model No. SD4930UR
Btw., latest versions of Account Manager and Framework from my second phone do not install. Play Services 6.5 and Play Store 5.0 will install, however, no change compared to the older versions linked in the tutorials --> no 'my apps' tab in G Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be on Fire OS 3.6.8 if you have unlocked phone. I had some issues with some launchers, but the standard Google Now Launcher for the most part seems fine. Appstore is very limited and playstore seems to have a lot of tools...unfortunately it's going to be playing with some apps and seeing if they are stable or not. Battery Doctor, clean master, home switch, and weather & clock seems to work for me.
frekey22 said:
You should be on Fire OS 3.6.8 if you have unlocked phone. I had some issues with some launchers, but the standard Google Now Launcher for the most part seems fine. Appstore is very limited and playstore seems to have a lot of tools...unfortunately it's going to be playing with some apps and seeing if they are stable or not. Battery Doctor, clean master, home switch, and weather & clock seems to work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, checking the update status does not provide the 3.6.8 version to my phone. It is not rooted and after delivery with 3.6.0 I did nothing else to the phone but update it to 3.6.2.
Only the new GSM unlocked phones come with 3.6.8 Sounds like you got your phone before this all happend therefore you are able to downgrade and root, your one of the lucky ones. You can get a AOSP feel to your phone if you want. Not sure why your not following those guides. Heck if you don't want to root then I'll trade you phones lol.
Gmail conacts
I am transferring my contacts to the FIre phone from Android. All my phone contacts are stored in Gmail(google contacts).
Now the problem is i am not able to find a setting option which would show only contacts with Phone no.
It is showing all contacts of Gmail, but i only need contacts with phone no there.
I had the same issue in Android 2.3 or something, when Android had an option of enabling the contacts with phone no only. Later on in Android 4 they moved to keeping all contacts but at the dialup i could search for only contacts with numbers only.
Any suggestion here. May be a different launcher or app?
Thanks
I received my phone and mostly everything is working. Google voice works, and automatically places calls using my gv number. Only issue I'm having is that the hangouts doesn't send sms messages over WiFi (but will over let) and the hangouts dialer has the same issue, I can't place calls via WiFi either. Anyone else find this?
So I just upgraded my phone to the HTC One A9 that is running Marshmallow. I also recently bought a Moto 360 V1. It updated fine without me having to force it. However, I don't have GMail nor GroupMe on my Moto 360 and my Google Hangout app won't even load. I went into Android Wear app and even tried the older version other people have suggested. I even did the resync apps on there with no success. I'm wondering if it's Marshmallow that's doing this or am I just oblivious and noob-like. My experience is that I've rooted every android I've had with ease.
I'm not aware that GMail installs an app on an Android Wear watch, it uses Wear-enabled notifications (to allow for replying from the watch). If Hangouts has not been updated on the phone since pairing the 360, Hangouts may not have installed the Android Wear component. Perhaps uninstalling updates from Hangouts and then reinstalling them will trigger the Android Wear component install. I'm not familiar with GroupMe.
sfringer said:
I'm not aware that GMail installs an app on an Android Wear watch, it uses Wear-enabled notifications (to allow for replying from the watch). If Hangouts has not been updated on the phone since pairing the 360, Hangouts may not have installed the Android Wear component. Perhaps uninstalling updates from Hangouts and then reinstalling them will trigger the Android Wear component install. I'm not familiar with GroupMe.
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Click to collapse
I think you're right. Only certain apps are actually on the watch itself. It appears that most things are only notified. I have found 3rd party apps that you can scroll through things like twitter and gmail. I uninstalled and reinstalled Hangouts with no luck. I guess I'll have to just do without. Working well so far though. Guess I can't fully replace my phone with the watch, but I'm loving it.
Yeah, like sfringer said, Gmail doesn't have an Android Wear specific app. You'll only get new message notifications from Google Now. If you think some apps haven't synced to the watch correctly you can open the Android Wear app on your phone, navigate to the settings menu for the Moto 360 and select "Resync Apps" to resync all available Android Wear apps to your Moto
So, with the recent update to Wear OS on my mobile phone I have found that I wasn't receiving notifications any more. I figured it was something to do with app referencing to the old Android wear instead of the newer Wear OS app on my phone. I reset my phone/watch and from that point it all went horribly wrong. I could no longer transfer apps to my watch (Strava, Keep, Spotify, etc) and notifications would not appear on my device.
THE FIX
1) Remove the Wear OS app from your phone and download Android Wear from UpToDown.com.
2) Download the most recently archived version (2.7.0.177669439) and install it (Enable Unknown sources in settings).
3) Open the Play Store app and go to "My Apps and Games" and find the "Wear OS" app update and open the app store page. Select the triple dot menu from the top right of the screen and uncheck "Enable auto-update".
4) Pair your phone and watch again, giving some time for all apps to sync and reinstall.
I've only just completed this myself and so far everything is starting to come back up on my watch like before. You may need to go into settings and tell the app to resync all apps to watch again, but hopefully this has fixed any issues people are having of late like I have been.
Happy trails!
Did you get constant FC messages?
Sent from my Sony Xperia XZ1 using XDA Labs
I wasn't getting any notifications on my watch. So I tried wiping my watch and setting it up again and found it would never sync apps back to the watch. So I rolled back to using Android wear which immediately fixed the issue of the apps not syncing. A positive side effect of doing so allowed me to get notifications again.
I did that and now I have notifications but apps don't syncing. During parring it hangs on ninth app and goes to the main screen. Resync all apps don't work
Same problem here, fresh install and my watch is missing almost all installed apps : keep is present bu not working, google map is missing, ...
Thanks worked for me....not using lates release seem to fix the issue
Doesn´t work for me. Android Wear app FC on XZ1 Compact.
EDIT - IMPORTANT: THE 2.13 UPDATE OF WEAR OS SOLVES THIS PROBLEM
This is what worked for me. It is the combination of two solutions that did not work for me separately.
Restore the watch.
On the phone delete all Google accounts.
Clear cache and data from the App Wear Os. Uninstall App Wear Os. Then remove cache and data from applications Play Store, Google and Google services.
With the phone browser download an old version of the Android Wear application, specifically the 2.8.0.183316206.gms of January 26:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-wear/android-wear-2-8-0-183316206-gms-release/android-wear-smartwatch-2-8-0-183316206-gms-android-apk-download/
Install the apk. Remember to have the installation of unknown sources enabled.
Before opening the Android Wear application you must enable all its permissions.
Then open the App and pair with the watch.
When they are already paired, follow the watch presentation tutorial. At the time of the presentation of the Google voice assistant, you must indicate on the watch that you want to add an account from your phone. If everything went well, the system asks for confirmation of the password.
When the Google account is already added, you must go to the Play Store App of the watch and update the applications indicated by the system.
VERY IMPORTANT: DESEABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATES ON THE PHONE (if Wear Os updates, the problems appear again)
The downside of this solution is that we have to keep an old version of the Android Wear App. Personally I only use this App so that the phone is paired with the phone.
If anyone has any doubts about the method I can try to help him.
Sorry for my Google Translate English.
Thanks work for me
I can not open the link..Can you upload it again please?
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-wear/android-wear-2-8-0-183316206-gms-release/android-wear-smartwatch-2-8-0-183316206-gms-android-apk-download/
Since 2.13 Wear Os App everything works fine.
I have a Huawei Watch V1 and I can't connect to my google account, so google fit, google assistant, android play, market etc. nothing was used. Finally I tried it on my old model xiaomi mi 5s plus (I kept it in the drawer as a spare for a long time) and everything connected as it should. Who knows, maybe it's stuck with google embargo. I hope this information is useful to you. Good luck.