this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2025
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DeGoogle Yourself
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Is using alternative maps even worth it if you have google's Android and location has to go through google play services anyways?
It won’t prevent Google from tracking your location, but it might help support these alternative maps by increasing their popularity on the PlayStore and whatnot.
you can use gps without play services.
How?
Disable "(improve) location accuracy" in settings and location history in Google settings (I think)
google play services would still periodically query your location, even when on gps only. it's a privileged app so you can't even block it from doing so. MicroG (on lineageOS or calyxOS), or GrapheneOS' sandboxed play services can help with that
you can simply uninstall play services. not even microG, and gps still works
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gsf
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.ims
Google Maps are pretty barebones, but at the same time reliable for general / basic use. Depends on region, but OSM usually will be more detailed. It is also possible your region has some local provider that is even better.
Google Maps in my region excel only for navigation quality for cars and search for commercial stuff (businesses and shops)