asked 2018-05-27 22:07:17 +0200
Hello Guys,
today I have tried the to reinstall Whatsapp. Does anyone know since when WA need Google Play Services?
The notification translates to:
"To use Whatsapp, you need Google Play services that are not supported on your device"
answered 2018-08-10 01:28:19 +0200
WhatsApp uses Google Play Services for backups on Google Drive. I had to reinstall it and it gave the same message the OP is reporting. After tapping on OK it went on looking for backups forever.
In desperation, I uninstalled MicroG and tried to reinstall WhatsApp. Now the message was something like “To look for backups on Google Drive, you have to install Google Play Services. Do you want to do that?”. I answered a resounding “NO” and it went on with no problems, proposing to restore from the local backup the previous working install had left. Local backups are executed daily regardless.
(Luckily, the app I had installed MicroG for doesn’t require it anymore.)
I regularly copy the files under /home/nemo/android_storage/WhatsApp to a secure place. They are all that is needed to restore the chat history through reinstalls (regular updates work with no problems). Beware that WhatsApp doesn’t restore from Databases/msgstore.db.crypt12 (the latest file) but from the last-but-one (Databases/msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12) so next time I’ll try to rename the latest file to a name with a date in it, not to lose the last day of chats. This will probably work, but I haven’t tested yet.
I just did a Whatsapp backup which was successful, I still do not have Google Play Services installed. The only thing Google on my device is my home page on the browser. Weird how some devices seem to need Google crap to make certain apps work and some don't.
Spam Hunter ( 2018-08-10 08:33:23 +0200 )editI have WhatsApp from their website (v2.18.213 - I just declined an invitation to update it). I don't use it much and I've never backed it up. How do you back it up? I don't see an option to do it. My settings specify not to run background services - but I do get message notifications.
Seems quite plausible that it's backup which is requiring Google Play services.
DaveRo ( 2018-08-10 10:42:45 +0200 )editOkay, I may be speaking out of my backside here (which is always possible), my backup is for chats. In the main window, top right hand corner are three dots, tap the dots, select "Settings", select "Chats", select "Backup chats"....what else is there to back up?
Spam Hunter ( 2018-08-10 12:40:53 +0200 )editanswered 2018-05-27 22:26:04 +0200
Google Play Services are not required to use Whatsapp. I know this as I have Whatsapp on my Jolla1 and no Google Play Services, so it is a bit strange that you're seeing that notification.
Also, I always download Whatsapp directly from their site, at least I can trust the APK if not the actual app.
Whats your smartphone? U need install the packages of Google play. Say me and after can help you
Rafaelvlmendes ( 2018-05-28 06:38:55 +0200 )editWhatsapp is working fine with my SFOSX/Xperia, without any Google services, and I even denied access to my contacts. Updates work well too (crossing fingers) and I don't need backups here. I do use some other Google Play Store app which occasionally throws this message: I just click ok and am able to use it nevertheless. I'd guess it has to do with your (incomplete?) MicroG install.
melg01 ( 2018-05-28 10:27:03 +0200 )edit@Rafaelvlmendes - I use Jolla1 as already stated in my answer. I do not need your help, Whats app works for me without Google Play Services, which part of my answer do you not understand?
@melg01 & @makarch - same for you guys, which part of my answer do you not understand?, what does MicroG have to do with any of this?, Whatsapp works fine without MicroG or Google Play Services!
Spam Hunter ( 2018-05-28 10:57:21 +0200 )editAsked: 2018-05-27 22:07:17 +0200
Seen: 5,777 times
Last updated: Aug 10 '18
Do you have access to contacts allowed for Alien Dalvik? Possibly a denied access gets erroneously translated into that error message (just a shot-in-the-dark theory though.)
nephros ( 2018-05-27 23:11:04 +0200 )editThe error message is this standard error: This app needs google play services, which are not installed etc....
Yes, it has the rights for my contacts.
makarch ( 2018-05-27 23:29:15 +0200 )editI think it's because Whatsapp is looking for Backups on the Google Cloud. Is there any way to skip it?
davidm00r ( 2018-05-27 23:48:21 +0200 )editThats what it does.
I have installed it 3 times. The third time he passed it and interestingly offered me a backup, which works fine.
makarch ( 2018-05-28 00:10:06 +0200 )edit