Mik-el Tech

Web & Computer

Preserve Your Access to Google Apps. By this September!

2021-09-09 20:03:05

From September 27, 2021, Google will block Gapps on devices with Android 2.3 and below. I wrote this guide to make a special backup and get around the lock

Ok, quick guide. We don't have so much time left.
It seems that as of September 27, 2021, Google will block GApps (Gmail, Maps...) from old devices that use Android 2.3.7 and below. Basically, you won't be able to log in anymore.
Source: https://support.google.com/android/thread/118703101/sign-in-on-android-devices-running-android-2-3-7-or-lower-will-not-be-allowed-starting-september-27?hl=en

But I accidentally found this Italian article (https://tecnologia.libero.it/google-blocchera-laccesso-su-alcuni-smartphone-quali-sono-47023/amp) that reports this:

I dispositivi con Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread o anche più vecchi che risulteranno già loggati ad un determinato account dopo il 27 settembre potranno continuare ad utilizzare senza problemi quei servizi e quelle app.
A partire da quella data infatti chi è già autenticato con l’account Google lo rimarrà potenzialmente a vita, o comunque fin quando un reset di fabbrica, un cambio di password dell’account stesso o dei provvedimenti di questo tipo non lo costringeranno ad effettuare nuovamente l’accesso.

Which means:

Devices running Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread or older that are already logged into a certain account after September 27 will be able to continue using those services and apps without any problems.
From that date, in fact, those who are already authenticated with the Google account will potentially remain so for life, or at least until a factory reset, a change of password of the account itself or measures of this type will not force him to log in again.



If what is written in this Italian article is true, this means that:
we could continue to use our Google apps until we log out from those apps or until we uninstall those apps!

And it was at this point, that I started thinking of some trick to get around this blockage 😏 (by the way, this Italian article was suggested to me by Google itself, checkmate 😂).

Personally, I haven't tested yet my idea on my device, so I can't assure it will work, but you can try and let me know in the comments.

Required Downloads (just 1 among the 3)



Guide

1) Login to your Gapps before September 27, 2021.
2) Use one of the apps I linked before to fully Backup your Google apps before that date. (this way your logged-in state will be incorporated in the backed-up apps, so don't share these apps with anyone)
All the apk files of the apps should be located in the system/app directory. The list of the apps to backup changes according to you ROM.

3A) If you have a Stock ROM, Backup these:

  • AccountAndSyncSettings.apk
  • DefaultContainerService.apk
  • GoogleBackupTransport.apk
  • GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
  • GoogleContactSyncAdapter.apk
  • GoogleFeedback.apk
  • GooglePartnerSetup.apk
  • GoogleServicesFramework.apk
  • Gmail.apk
  • Maps.apk
  • com.google.android.apps.maps (alternative name that Maps apk could have)
  • Youtube.apk (useless since it does not work for years)
  • Vending.apk (it's the play store!)
  • Phonesky.apk (alternative name that play store apk could have)


These other ones should not be required, but just to be sure...

  • FOTAKill.apk
  • Settings.apk
  • SettingsProvider.apk


if you know other required Google apks, drop a comment so I can update the list


3B) If you have a custom Rom:

  • find the .zip file that allowed to flash Gapps on your custom ROM
  • open it with WinRar, 7zip, or equivalent
  • explore the archive and take notes of all the Gapps apk files (again, they should all be located in system/app).
  • on your device, use one of the apps I linked before, to fully backup all the Gapps of the list you just made


4) Finish

now every time that you want to format your old Android device or flash a new ROM, you could do that, without the fear to lose your login forever! 😃 Cause if you can't login... just restore your backed-up apps!


Conclusion

I still hate Google🤣, I still can't understand how they can say "update your 2.3 phone to 3.0", in 2021. I still can't understand how they can say "we do this to push the purchase of new devices", when less than 1% of smartphones use Android 2.3 (according to their data).

My project. Retro Android

I made many things to make old Android OSs usable nowadays.

  • I made a guide to develop and backport apps for the old Android versions
  • I preserved and tested some old emulators and apps
  • I made an updated ROM for Galaxy Ace and people on the XDA forum went crazy
  • I'll like to take the Android source code of my updated and usable ROM for the Ace, and release that for any old device


How to support me