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[HowTo] Install Gapps (gplay google play) KK on Tablet / Jolla C / Sailfish X

asked 2015-10-09 17:02:15 +0200

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updated 2017-12-28 16:15:15 +0200

jaine gravatar image

Be aware I give no warranties, you need to become root at some point and if you mess it up it is your fault (if you break it you may keep both pieces!)

Due to a change of Android version on the tablet and therefore change in how Android does separate into privileged and un-privileged apps (system and user) and Google thinks that GApps need system privileges here a quick guide how to get Google Play Store and Services installed. Please be aware that this is completely unsupported by Jolla.

EDIT 12/2017: Updated the instructions to prevent Play Store from updating and solving the "Download pending..." problem.


  • Download gapps-kk-20140606 (you may download a smaller version, any pico gapps-kk should do as well)
  • stop aliendalvik

Note: you need to use an old version, using newer versions even if said compatible won't work, the old packages should update on its own though


probably best to do all of the below as root anyway but just in case you don't if something fails it is probably because of permissions and/or ownership of files

  • In gapps-kk-20140606-signed/system/priv-app/ you should find GmsCore.apk, GoogleLoginService.apk, GoogleServicesFramework.apk and Phonesky.apk, copy those to /opt/alien/system/priv-app on your device
  • chmod 664 them
  • start your aliendalvik
  • go to /opt/alien/system/priv-app & as root apkd-install Phonesky.apk
  • install Play Store from http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-7-3-25-release/ to get the last version that still supports downloading apps
  • use the following commands to stop the ÅPlay Store from updating touch /data/app/com.android.vending-2.apk and chattr +i /data/app/com.android.vending-2.apk
  • for GServices to upgrade properly you may install Google Maps, it will request to update once you start the app
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Comments

1

Awesome, thanks! Since you're one of the lucky few who already own a tablet - could you please comment on the quality of the Android version? Since it's supposed to be 4.4.4 I'm particularly interested in Bluetooth support for Apps.

t-lo ( 2015-10-10 16:40:27 +0200 )edit

I first had to de-activate 2-way-authentication in order for it to connect properly to the play store. After that I could reactivate 2-way-authentication and now it all works!

nelbrog ( 2015-10-10 23:23:25 +0200 )edit

The link you provide only contains US-EN language sets, is there any with more supported languages?

MaxT ( 2015-10-12 10:25:34 +0200 )edit

Can we assume this method will also work for the F-Droid open-source applications installer?

Also, for those paying apps which one can manually install on Android (like the efficient german Textmaker, planmaker etc.) can I expect I'll install the related apk this way (then just enter the associated key in the launched app)?

Sorry for looking so naive, I didn't receive my tablet yet ;-)

Herve5 ( 2015-10-12 12:53:37 +0200 )edit

@MaxT no clue how languages work with gapps, if there is something like a language build then google for it, any gapps-kk should do.

@Herve5 F-Droid, you just install without any magic!

chemist ( 2015-10-12 13:50:28 +0200 )edit

9 Answers

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10

answered 2016-07-22 09:43:39 +0200

Pornis gravatar image

updated 2016-07-22 09:47:36 +0200

I combined my messages and added them as an answer. If there are problems with these instructions, please comment here. I used this method and it worked.

1) Download all files from @HtheB http://www.htheb.com/list/index.php?dir=jolla/apps/PlayStoreforJolla/JollaC/

2) Run the commands listed below:

devel-su
cd /opt/alien/system/priv-app
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GmsCore.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/Phonesky.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GoogleLoginService.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GoogleServicesFramework.apk .
chmod 664 GmsCore.apk
chmod 664 Phonesky.apk
chmod 664 GoogleLoginService.apk
chmod 664 GoogleServicesFramework.apk
cd /home/nemo/Downloads/
unzip system.zip
cp -avR ./system/ /opt/alien/
chmod 664 /opt/alien/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
chmod 664 /opt/alien/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml

3) Using file browser go to the /opt/alien/system/priv-app and install Phonesky.apk

4) Open Play Store, just restart it if it closes. There also might be errors about crashing Google Services.

5) Install Google Maps, it will ask you to update Google Services. Update them.

6) Profit

Tips:

If you typo something and break the Android support, you can uninstall & reinstall the Android support from Jolla Store, it should reset to default working condition. Then you can try again.

SSH connection allows you to just copy the commands to terminal, I am not sure if it faster to type or setup the SSH connection :) https://together.jolla.com/question/1919/howto-connecting-to-jolla-via-ssh-over-usb/

Edit: I am one of those Linux impaired persons: "How do I copy a folder"? and "Did chmod require flags?". If I did something wrong, please let me know, but at least it works :D

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Comments

Thank you very much! :)

Now everything is sailing on!

KulspetsP ( 2016-07-23 00:24:37 +0200 )edit

Sweet! Cheers, matey!

Pände ( 2016-07-25 00:40:26 +0200 )edit

Thanks now all rock's, well done by copy paste:D

Kossiivi ( 2016-07-28 23:56:29 +0200 )edit

My google play suddenly cant see the apps required 4.4... before is ok, it said incompatible

TMavica ( 2016-08-01 04:58:36 +0200 )edit
1

Mmmm tried this on my Jolla C (which is on version 2.0.3.11) but at the end the Android system doesn't work at all, no app can be started. In the logs, a part from errors in inserting contacts into the Android db, it says, right at the end:

Done disabling old GoogleServicesFramework version

Maybe the Android system in 2.0.3.x is too new for these files?

anidel ( 2016-08-03 11:24:55 +0200 )edit
6

answered 2016-07-20 21:43:04 +0200

HtheB gravatar image

It seems like it won't install all apps. You still need some missing libraries.

Solved the problem by adding the missing library! It was the com.google.android.maps library that is missing. Works great now!

I've made a simple ReadMe on how to get PlayStore (including this fix).

If you still can't install it, run the following command as root:

chroot /opt/alien/ /system/bin/logcat

Then install the apk file as usual while the terminal is still running. It should show the error which library you're missing. Let me know and I'll add it to the ReadMe as well.

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Comments

and if just to install google maps ? It also can solve the problem ?

Schturman ( 2016-07-20 22:26:59 +0200 )edit

@schturman No, you NEED the files

HtheB ( 2016-07-20 23:06:57 +0200 )edit
2

For Linux impaired people: Here are the commands I used with instructions and files from @HtheB

devel-su
cd /opt/alien/system/priv-app
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GmsCore.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/Phonesky.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GoogleLoginService.apk .
cp /home/nemo/Downloads/GoogleServicesFramework.apk .
chmod 664 GmsCore.apk
chmod 664 Phonesky.apk
chmod 664 GoogleLoginService.apk
chmod 664 GoogleServicesFramework.apk
cd /home/nemo/Downloads/
unzip system.zip
cp -avR ./system/ /opt/alien/
chmod 664 /opt/alien/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
chmod 664 /opt/alien/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml
Pornis ( 2016-07-21 11:26:53 +0200 )edit

I couldn't get it work with these fine instructions.

At first it loaded GPlay but it gave error message that I couldn't remember anymore :)

But after that it gave error RH-01. Then there were GPlay and Google settings icons on phone. But after that they vanished.

And I did all these twice but they don't show anymore and installing is not starting...

KulspetsP ( 2016-07-21 23:35:51 +0200 )edit

You can uninstall & reinstall the Android support, it should reset to default working condition. Then you can try again.

1) Download all files from @HtheBlink text

2) Run the commands I listed in previous message including all the dots etc :)

3) Using file browser go to the /opt/alien/system/priv-app and install Phonesky.apk

4) Open Play Store, just restart it if it closes. There also might be errors about crashing Google Services.

5) Install Google Maps, it will ask you to update Google Services. Update them.

6) Everything should be working :)

Pornis ( 2016-07-22 09:33:35 +0200 )edit
3

answered 2016-08-01 21:07:05 +0200

TMavica gravatar image

updated 2016-08-01 21:07:32 +0200

coderus made a rpm. That play store wont running in background! https://openrepos.net/content/coderus/opengapps-pico-installer

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Comments

2

Not this answer nor Coderus's "description" does really say, what this is actually doing !? Install Google Services ? But not the Play Store ?? If I try it, is it undoable ???

Upp15 ( 2016-08-01 22:39:47 +0200 )edit

What do I do, when the appstore does not install the apps, all installations are pending! Reinstall of the app, does not solve the problem!

Horus ( 2017-10-01 14:13:16 +0200 )edit

@Horus: I experienced the same problem. In the end, I use the Yalp store (search for it on F-Droid) for installing packages from the Google Play Store. You might want to install appropriate Google Play Services separately. For the Jolla Tablet, I downloaded the APK from here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-services/google-play-services-11-7-41-release/google-play-services-11-7-41-070-171017412-android-apk-download/download/ (you want the latest package that is available for your platform and still supports Android 4.0+ because the latests Alien Dalvik only supports Android 4.4. iirc)

raphman ( 2017-10-14 00:25:30 +0200 )edit

as far as I know, the @coderus rpm is restricted to Aquafish/JollaC machines. It does not work on SailfishX.

danfin ( 2017-12-29 12:18:35 +0200 )edit
0

answered 2017-08-31 21:17:11 +0200

1chb gravatar image

This works for Aqua Fish as well. Just tried it.

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0

answered 2017-10-31 22:30:14 +0200

Heka gravatar image

With Jolla version 2.1.2.3 and these instructions it is now possible to downgrade Google Play in Jolla Tablet to get Play Shop working, put saddly, only for few minutes. Play Shop upgrades itself soon and the "Download waiting" is restored. Is there any means to prevent the shop upgrading itself? I restored the tablet to factory settings, updated to ver2.1.2.3 and applied this fix so there is no old garbage which might affect the functionality.

Regards H

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Comments

Installed it on Sailfish X few hours ago successfully and it didn't update itself (yet) although Play services did (needed by other gapps like Maps or Photos).

Update: Play store upgraded over the night resulting in 'Download pending'. Aptoid still working as expected.

Valentin ( 2017-11-02 19:34:08 +0200 )edit

See now the updated version of the instructions! :)

jaine ( 2017-12-28 16:16:07 +0200 )edit
0

answered 2017-12-28 08:36:48 +0200

cstars gravatar image

Got my Sony Xperia X running well with this installation guide. But after installing a couple of apps now the download is suspending.

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See now the updated version of the instructions! :)

jaine ( 2017-12-28 16:15:46 +0200 )edit

It looks like If I try to install any app now gps is waiting for network is online, however it tries to identify the network. There is no problem with other allready installed apps because there could use the network without any problem. In the settings of gps I used every setup: update without local network, update only with local network, never update automatically. Any idea?

cstars ( 2017-12-28 20:05:03 +0200 )edit

@cstars

What version of Google play is currently running and did you stop from updating as here link text using either

touch /opt/alien/data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk
chattr +i /opt/alien/data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk

or

touch /opt/alien/data/app/com.android.vending-2.apk
chattr +i /opt/alien/data/app/com.android.vending-2.apk
aspergerguy ( 2017-12-28 22:08:19 +0200 )edit

Google Play Store is the installed 7.7.3.25.K-all from package above. But I found interesting news: The installation of any package will start at the time I disable the WLAN interface on my Xperia. Maybe the Problem does not come directly from the Play Store. Maybe Google Maps is the problem? I will investigate further because also with newest 8.5? Version I could start to install apps and only later it has to been suspended to install further apps.

cstars ( 2017-12-29 17:05:39 +0200 )edit

I have a SailfishX and using putty inserting chmod and installing the Phonesky and others app...Them I install after Google Play Store 7.7.3.25.K-all but always says "Google Play Store could not installed free up some space and try again"

Any can help about my problem?

Rafaelvlmendes ( 2018-01-18 13:40:25 +0200 )edit
0

answered 2018-02-08 21:52:52 +0200

Stanislav1988 gravatar image

I try similar tutorial on friends xperia but something is strange, google music and chrome crash (google music start but cant play a songs) but VLC and Google maps work perfect O_O

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0

answered 2018-09-06 11:17:51 +0200

domino4evers gravatar image

updated 2018-09-06 12:02:50 +0200

Hi have tried to follow your guide, but before that I could run Instagram, now nothing from Android works. I try to launch, but then it just closes.

I got it to work again with: systemctl unmask aliendalvik.service systemctl start aliendalvik.service

And now I have a Google Play App - but it won't update.

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Comments

If you have followed tutorial by jaime at top of thread, you stopped Google Play Store from updating as you can no longer download apps using higher version than 7.3.25. You would need to use something like:

chattr -i /data/app/com.android.vending-2.apk
aspergerguy ( 2018-09-06 16:57:28 +0200 )edit
0

answered 2019-09-09 16:22:57 +0200

NevilClavain gravatar image

What do I do if I don't have a /opt/alien/system folder?

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Comments

You don't say upon which device and presumably have enabled show hidden and system folders?

aspergerguy ( 2019-09-09 16:52:02 +0200 )edit

Same here. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra Dual. Should I make folders by my own?

groeable ( 2019-10-26 19:49:34 +0200 )edit
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Asked: 2015-10-09 17:02:15 +0200

Seen: 31,716 times

Last updated: Sep 09 '19