Root What do you get if you flash ROM but no Gapps?

[Hook]

This is mostly a "I'm curious" question, not something I would probably do outside of an experiment, but since I don't know the answer I thought I'd check with the experts around here.

Suppose you flash a ROM that doesn't include Gapps but no Gapps package. Do you have something that will boot and you can use. Obviously you wouldn't have access to the Play Store and anything you wanted to add would have to be side loaded. Would it even ask you for a Google log-in or is that part of the framework provided by the Gapps package. Would apps run okay? Would you essentially have a vanilla Android Linux phone?

Would the basic baked in ROM functions work. For instance, if the ROM allows me to add boot into recovery in the boot menu, would I be able to do that? (Important to know if I ever want to try the experiment so i could get my Nandroid I would have made just before the experiment).

This isn't something I'm seeking to do permanently, but I got to thinking about it and I just want to know because I realized that, since I couldn't answer it, it was an aspect of ROMs and Rom flashing that I didn't understand and I'd like to.

Thanks to anyone who indulges me.

 

[Hook]

Wow! This must be an even dumber question than I thought.

 

[Brian706]

Hahaha. Hook, as far as I know the ROM will still function as intended. You just won't have your core apps and access to the play store and whatnot. I know I've done this before just out of curiosity. I can't remember if I was still prompted for a gmail account.

I'm pretty sure I was, but not 100% sure.... As far as being able to restore a backup whether or not the ROM boots doesn't matter. You can access recovery without a functioning ROM. Two separate partitions that do not rely on each other.

Wish I had more info but it's mostly unfamiliar territory as I always want the gapps.

 

[argedion]

You do not need gapps. You can use other stores such as Amazon. Cyanogenmod is a full functioning ROM that does not come with gapps. You could set it up for Amazon and it will function just fine.

 

[Chairshot215]

You do not need gapps. You can use other stores such as Amazon. Cyanogenmod is a full functioning ROM that does not come with gapps. You could set it up for Amazon and it will function just fine.

I have done this for a crazy Uncle that believes Google works for the NSA and has placed subliminal messages brainwashing users into becoming socialists. Should mention this was with JB and have not tried recently but I first changed the security settings in the source to allow non Play Store App installations by default and removing the option from the settings menue. Then copied in the Amazon apk via Vendor before compiling so was set up with Amazon app store and a few other Amazon apps he had used with his Kindle on first boot. Was otherwise an experiment to see if I could compile a Google free version of Android and had worked like a charm. Had almost posted as a Novelty Rom.