asked 2014-02-28 02:59:23 +0300

This post is a wiki. Anyone with karma >75 is welcome to improve it.

updated 2018-05-06 23:07:49 +0300

jollajo
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Foreword

Do not install, if you do not trust Google ("do not be evil" – this was long ago ;-).

The following procedure limits the software installed just to the Google Play store, eliminating all other stuff most often accompanying the Play store installation.

Alternative to Google Play Store installation

Question HowTo: Download app installation (apk) files from Google Play Store points to a web address allowing to download the app installation file when you know the package name or Google Play URL. So, at least for apps you do not have to pay for in-store, this could be an alternative to a Google Play Store installation as described below. (This alternative may not be more trustworthy than Google itself, see the comments to that question. Also: No idea, how app updates will be handled when you have not installed Play Store.)

Got a Jolla C or Tablet?

If you are looking for instructions for installing Google Play on your Jolla C or Tablet, have a look at this guide instead.

Preparations

You need on your Jolla handset:

• Jolla Store access
• Internet access (WLAN/WiFi or mobile network)
• App "File Browser" from Jolla Store
• Since Sailfish OS 1.0.4.20 possibly: Installation of untrusted software being enabled. Set |- Settings | System | Untrusted software | "Allow untrusted software" = active -|. (I could not test this, installation may also work while this option is left inactive.)

Note: Linux file and directory names are case sensitive!

Procedure

1. Make sure you have a Jolla account and the Jolla device can access the Jolla Store.
2. Go to |- Settings | System Settings | Developer Mode -|.
   Because your Jolla device can access the Jolla Store, a Terminal app is installed now.
3. Activate „Developer mode“.
4. Activate „Remote connection” (either enter and [Save] a password or [Generate] it; if you generate it, you have to edit it slightly before the [Save] button becomes available).
5. Using the Jolla device, open the browser and download ~https://lu4ndr01d.googlecode.com/files/gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip~ instead try: https://storage.googleapis.com/google-code-archive-downloads/v2/code.google.com/lu4ndr01d/gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip.
   The file is downloaded to directory /home/nemo/Downloads
6. Open the Terminal app installed during step 2.
   The SailfishOS command prompt will appear. You are logged in as user, the prompt is a "$".
7. Go to the download directory: Enter cd ~/Downloads [Enter]
   In case of an English Terminal keyboard layout, the "~" key is the shifted "=" key.
8. Unzip the file: Enter unzip gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip [Enter].
9. Get root access: Enter devel-su [Enter].
10. When requested: Enter your password (as specified during step 4) and [Enter].
    The prompt changes from "$" to "#". Now, you have root access to the Jolla device! Be careful!
11. Go to the destination directory: Enter cd /opt/alien/system/app [Enter].
12. Copy the following files one by one (you do not need all the other ones unzipped before):
    • cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/Phonesky.apk .
      (Do not forget the dot at the end of the line.)
    • cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/GoogleLoginService.apk .
    • cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/GoogleServicesFramework.apk .
      By now, your Terminal window will look like:

      bash-3.2$ cd ~/Downloads
      bash-3.2$ unzip gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip
      inflating: (… many, many lines …)
      Inflating: system/usr/srec/en-US/symbols
      bash-3.2$ devel-su
      Password:
      bash-3.2# cd /opt/alien/system/app
      bash-3.2# cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/Phonesky.apk .
      bash-3.2# cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/GoogleLoginService.apk .
      bash-3.2# cp /home/nemo/Downloads/system/app/GoogleServicesFramework.apk .

13. Reboot the Jolla handset (switch off and on using the power button).
    
    Alternatively:
    • Restart Alien Dalvik service: Enter systemctl restart aliendalvik.service [Return].
    • End root access: Enter exit [Return].
    • End Terminal: Enter exit [Return].
14. Open app "File Browser".
15. Goto directory /opt/alien/system/app.
    The File Browser opens in the /home/nemo/ directory. To get to the root directory you have to tap the 2 upper left dots, then you can go down to the app directory.
16. Tap file Phonesky.apk.
    A new page opens with details of this file.
17. From the pulley menu select "Install".
    The Google Play store is being installed, a corresponding icon placed on the launcher screen.
18. Using File Browser you may clean up the Downloads directory from all the files unzipped there and not required any longer.
19. Start the Play app and log in to the Play store. Refuse all options you do not want (e.g. backup to the Google cloud).

You are done.

Google account

The google account is saved in /data/system/users/0/accounts.db. If you wish to purge Google completely, then you can delete this file. Delete accounts.db (or better renaming it to accounts_backup.db) helps also for the cannot connect problem. The google account name is also saved into /data/system/sync/accounts.xml

• Paid apps

Helpful was: - http://www.jollatides.com/2013/11/29/jolla-how-to-access-google-play/

Edit by @Tanghus: Some apps also require Google Play Services in order to e.g. pay for tickets etc.In that case you'll have to install the apk mentioned in this answer

After doing that you will have to repeat the step with tapping at Phonesky.apk to re-install it. Don't ask me why :)