Good bye Locus Pro! DISAPPOINTED that I cannot use LP on my new device with Google Play disabled. I hate Google & do not want to use it on future devices & was pissed off that my Locus Pro license will not work unless Google garbage is enabled. Sick.
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PlayStore Bypass - Deploy Locus (Pro) without a Google account
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.
I like this idea 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
I like Locus, but not necessary like Google Play.
I want to buy Locus Pro another way. But how...?
I like Locus, but not necessary like Google Play.
I want to buy Locus Pro another way. But how...?
Same to me.
I would appreciate the possibility to run Locus Pro on device without Google Playstore!
Same to me.
I would appreciate the possibility to run Locus Pro on device without Google Playstore!
+1
Is this enhancement on a roadmap of the app development?
+1
Is this enhancement on a roadmap of the app development?
I would prefer that the team does not waste time thinking about this. there is plenty to get on with as it is.
I would prefer that the team does not waste time thinking about this. there is plenty to get on with as it is.
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.
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.
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.
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.
E-Mail und PayPal ! ?
E-Mail und PayPal ! ?
@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.
@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.
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.
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.
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 ....
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 ....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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.
@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.
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.)
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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