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Help Legal to side-load GBoard APK into device?

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Jim Norton

Jim Norton

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Aug 16, 2019
3
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#1
Hello all,

Our company created a hardware device that runs AOSP 5.02 with some minor modifications.
It isn't feasible for us to get our device/Android ROM Google Play certified.

Is it legal or within Googles licensing terms to side-load a version of GBoard onto our devices?

Note: I tried to contact Google directly, but of course I wasn't able to reach a human or find the correct magical email address. :-(

Thanks for any help in advance!

James Norton
 
Last edited:
#4
Given the Gboard apk is freely available from various third-party sites like apkmirror.com, there doesn't appear to be any kind of lawsuit backlash happening anywhere. There are also nations where the Play Store is not even allowed and having the Gboard keyboard isn't a problem. So even though Google isn't explicitly stating it can or cannot be freely used (maybe it is with manufacturers or relevant developers but it would be nice to have a readily accessible public statement), it does appear to at least fudging the legality issue from a business viewpoint.
https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=gboard
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3048523/gboard-android-shortcuts.html

A possible alternative you might find to be a worthy substitute is Hacker's Keyboard:
https://www.ghacks.net/2016/12/21/hackers-keyboard-for-android/
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.pocketworkstation.pckeyboard/
 
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