Standalone Apps Fail without Google Play

peppercup

Standalone Android apps fail immediately if Google Play is not installed.

Affected Apps:

Assistant
News
Summarize

Operating System

Any current Android OS with Google Play removed (this is a major security and safety requirement for privacy-minded individuals and those at heightened risk).
- Example: LineageOS

Symptoms

Open app and immediately see a banner to enable Google Play. The only choice displayed is a "close" button.
The app closes immediately after clicking the only button available (close).

Needed Outcome (for Direct Kagi Subscribers)

Option 1: Remove the banner entirely (Kagi and the subscriber have a direct relationship, Kagi gets to keep all revenue with sharing with third parties such as Google).
Option 2: Allow banner to "dismiss" and not close the app. Only require a "dismiss" upon app initial start up (not displayed thereafter).

niu3

As written elsewhere, the demographic Kagi is targeting is the kind that might not have Google Play services. If we wanted to use Google services, we wouldn't be here -- so please don't make us dependent on that.

kslays

Even with Google Play enabled, and the Assistant Android app installed through the Play store, I randomly get this error occasionally:

Something went wrong
Check that Google Play is enabled on your device and that you're using an up-to-date version before opening the app. If the problem persists try reinstalling the app.

Then after a close an re-open it works for me. Does the app really need to engage with Play Services at all? It would be better if it could be installed without any communication with Google at all, like through Aurora, F-Droid, Obtainium, etc.