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PlayStore Bypass - Deploy Locus (Pro) without a Google account

Michael shared this idea 9 years ago
Completed

On the one hand, Locus Pro is a must-have app.

On the other hand, the PlayStore is a must-not-have.


In that context, Locus is one of the most problematic apps because it's neither opensource nor free and thus somewhat dependant on the PlayStore and its purchasing functions.


The idea is to redesign the mechanism of purchasing the Pro version so that you can offer the App as a direct download (.apk file) from the website or - preferrably - via an own f-droid repo that users can add to their f-droid app.


XPrivacy for example has a free download version which does not work (with all functions) unless you add a premium key you obtained before.


I consider this a real task because Locus as a major app would deliver a real proof of concept of "market jailbreaking".


And I hope that there are many people out there, who, like me, use Locus as a Google Maps alternative and therefore are sensitive for a google-free or less Google-tied Android phone.

Replies (21)

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Absolutely agree with this. I refuse to have Google on my phone. I'm happy to support a full featured mapping application, but not if the only place I can get it is Google.

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I'm with you. I don't even use Android as OS. Anyway I'm able to install .apk-files. Last weekend a friend showed me the possibilities of Locus Pro while we were searching for some Geocaches. Result: I wanted to buy the Pro-Version as well, but not in the Google Play Store. So me, too: I'm willing to pay for Locus Pro, but not if the only place to download is Google.

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I would like to buy the pro version again instantly, since I lost my valid one, which i received two years ago via android pit.


I don't want google to have my credit card information or some paypal login.

So locus may be as fancy as it can, that way I don't pay for it.


and call me prejudiced.....that is a bug a major one.

Please fix it!

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I like Locus, but not necessary like Google Play.

I want to buy Locus Pro another way. But how...?

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Hello Yatzek,


this whole topic is about this "problem" and because it is not yet implemented, it also means that it is not yet possible, sorry.

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Thank you for quick replay.

It is not a problem with price. Is fairy reasonable. I want to pay you, because I appreciate you effort, and I live in Poland, so I like to support my neighbors :)

The best way to pay is to use PayU - my favourite.


God bless Google and keep it away of us ;-)

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Same to me.

I would appreciate the possibility to run Locus Pro on device without Google Playstore!

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+1

Is this enhancement on a roadmap of the app development?

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I would prefer that the team does not waste time thinking about this. there is plenty to get on with as it is.

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Hello guys,

a complicated task to be true. For us, a small team behind Locus, almost unsolvable, sorry.

Anyway one question: can you imagine that Locus Pro should be purchased with LoCoins?

Situation: you friend, purchase a pack of LoCoins (around 600) in Locus Store and purchase Locus Map Pro for You (your email) also over Locus Store. You then receive email with link on APK file and also "code". After instalation, you insert email and code and voala ... Is this solution suitable? We have a problem with some payment gate so just thinking about some workaround.

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Sounds good. But I have a question: I've already bought Locus Map Pro via Google Play (of course I have Google account). But now I'd like to use LineageOS without Gapps. Maybe you should think about possibillity to activate Locus Map Pro without Google Play installed (e.g. as you wrote: "email with link on APK file and also code").


More generally: Locus Map is a great app. And is considered as Google Maps replacement. So you have to make independent from Google infrastructure. More and more people want to get rid of Google from their devices. And it will be growing as technological awareness is increasing. So you have no choice:).


Great solution could be cooperation between Locus Map and F-Droid. I know that F-Droid is for FOSS software, but maybe someday they could have section for paid apps? I think many people will be very very happy.

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If I understand correctly.

Is it possible to buy Locus for a friend? Registered on Friend Email?


Q: Email address (friend) must be his registered GooglePlay email? Or any?


This option would be great! There are many cases when friends do not know or can not make a payment.


This option would also be suitable as a gift or any reward.

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Ït is not currently possible, but as we discuss it today in team, it is doable. So I'm checking if there should be interest in such feature ...

After some more changes that we now prepare mainly because of GDPR, it will be possible to use any email, not just GMail.

Just collecting feedback ...

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I understand...The question is whether the email must be the one that is linked to the google account. (I also do not have gmail on my google account)

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E-Mail und PayPal ! ?

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@menion, the alternative payment method with LoCoins you mentioned sounds great as long as the LoCoins are possible to be bought without using Google Play or Amazon Appstore.

Currently I have circumvented the Google Play by buying the app again in Amazon Appstore. It works without Google Play. Even buying the LoCoins happens in-app through the Amazon payments. That said I'd be glad for a refund in the Google Play store, if possible ;)

Anyway using Amazon is just a bit better, replacing one big brother with another. And I have the Amazon Appstore installed just because of Locus. So the independent solution would be much better.

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The deal with the devil was signed by buying the Android device and turning it on.

All other games on the blind baby are naive :-D

I note that I myself am also paranoid :-DDD


By the way...

Google (even without googleplay) knows what other store is used on the device and what apps.

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Only as long as you have any Google Apps installed on that device. If you run a "pure ROM" with no ties to Google, and don't install any such ties yourself, it's very unlikely.


That said, and answering @Menion and @freischneider: Using Paypal would be replacing one demon by another. Same unfortunately applies if one needs a demon to get hold of the currency. Inside EU we have SEPA, if bank transfers could be accepted (no extra costs then). If you can "collect" from an EU bank account, that might make "automation" easier. Not being a dev nor knowing the numbers, I cannot say if its feasible.

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I think the problem was:

how to pay for locus without entering sensitiv payment data to a not trustworthy device, like a smartphone...also including Google as not

trustworthy.

So, an independent control System would be needed within the app itself to allow to run locus, even offline.

I unterstand the problem is coming with android or whatnot OS...and probably not solveable without new ways of giving trust.

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That's conceivable. Unfortunately I can't use Locus anymore because I don't have GAPS installed. Amazon is not an alternative


With Threema it works like this, you pay by credit card and get a code ....

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I would highly appreciate if it was possible to use Locus without GAPS. I would not even mind paying a higher price than in the Playstore.

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I would definitively buy the Pro app 2 times (once for each device), if it would be available without google play beeing installed.


I am currently searching for alternatives and/or for apps to remove copy protection from locus pro as I definitively do not want do have google or amazon spying and draining battery on my devices any more. I currently still have one phone with google only for locus, but I do not want a special locus phone any more.

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I used Locus Pro for many years. My new phone does not have GAPS. Now I use Oruxmaps, without Google Playstore directly from the .com site.


I'm happy again.

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@Menion, as you are working on a new Locus Map now, is there any chance of having a possibility to have a future Locus Map Pro installed without Google Services? For me Locus Map Pro is the only reason why I have to install opengapps at the moment. Thanks.

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Hello Alexander,

we will definitely reconsider. I believe, it will be a little easier to do with Locus Map 4, anyway I'll rather not promise it.

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Same thing for me. Locus Map Pro is the only reason why I need Google apps on my phone, and I would rather not have them on my phone.

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@Menion, is there any good news for the Locus Map 4 no google services users? I installed the beta 4 version, like it really, used the pro version for years and have no problems with subscription modules . Is there a way to use it for me after February 1?

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Hello, it's been already 15 months since I wrote this ... uff. A few months ago, because of time "pressure" we decided to do as simple, but 100% usable version, as possible. So in the first step, Locus Map 4 will be available only over the Google Play system. Other channels are anyway right next in a row ....

Locus Map Pro will anyway still be fully working and regularly updated, so there is no need to worry about the non-functional "Pro" version.

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Hello Menion, thank you very much for your answer. I will wait until you open other payment channels and will use the free version until you will find a way to make it possible to use the classic or the subscription version. Without google services.


Good luck for the new way you decided to go and thankś for the great app

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I also wait for the possibility to use pro without Google... Please go on...

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Same here, I have not been using Locus for years after ditching Google. I really miss it and would be happy to contribute to the project.


Please setup a payment/licencing setup that doesn't require Google


(I am using GrapheneOS.)

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I also vote for this feature. I am using LineageOS without GAPPS on my personal mobile. I already purchased LocusPro including various maps in the past through the Google Play Store. I am using OsmAnd instead of Locus now. I am even fine with the scenario to purchase LoCoins through a separate mobile with the Google Play Store that I always leave at home, but I do not want Google on my personal mobile that I take always with me.

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One more comment. F-Droid does support private repositories, but I guess this would need to be used anyway. There are other paid and/or non-FOSS apps that publish their apps through F-Droid like SchildiChat (their version with Google Play Services) or NetGuard. For NetGuard the premium features can be enabled by submitting the donation email address together with a device specific challenge code to an online web form. The response (activation) code can then be used to activate the premium features in the app.

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Hello,

this feature is correctly marked as "In progress". We are currently working on it and I'm sure that during next months will be published system how to do this.

Anyway Locus Map 4 Premium is registered to single account in the application, so it is no longer connected to some Google Play account. This means, that when on you purchase Locus Map 4 Premium on device with Google Play for some Locus Store account, it will work on all devices where you log in into same account in the Locus Map 4 app.

Menion

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Hello to all,

8 years since this idea was created, and finally ... not bad :).

---

So, I'm really glad to announce, there is finally a fully working solution to use Locus Map 4 app on the device without a Google certification. We just informed about it in the latest blog post.

But shortly and more technically

- Locus Map 4 does not require Google Play. You may obtain the latest (or also archived) versions from our Google Drive folder here. Unfortunately, if you install the app manually from APK, there is no auto-update mechanism. If there will be interest, we may try to do something with it.

- Locus Map 4 may be used as a free app with some limits. If there will be interest in Silver or Gold Premium, it is now finally possible to purchase a voucher (for yourself or as a gift), independently on Google Play. For this, check our "Premium" page and scroll to the bottom. A voucher may be then applied in the latest app version in profile screen.

If there will be something I may help with, feel free to post general questions here or any private over the new ticket. Thanks and enjoy the coming new year!

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Can I also buy LoCoins ich with the Voucher?

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Hello Michael Rehm, thanks for the question. It is not yet possible, but it is something we will most probably introduce soon.

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