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What GApps Does
GApps is needed for getting back those essential Google services like Google Play Store, Play Services, and other important apps. Without GApps, your Android phone won’t have the Google apps you rely on daily, like Maps, Gmail, or Calendar. So, if you want your phone to have the same features as a typical Android device, installing GApps is a must.
How to Download the Right GApps Package
Not every GApps package works for all Android versions. Here’s how to make sure you get the right one for your device:
- OpenGApps: Offers different sizes of packages, from minimal to full installations. Choose what suits your needs.
Download OpenGApps for Android 11 - NikGApps: Gives you more control over which Google apps to install. Perfect for more recent Android versions.
Download NikGApps for Android 12 - MindTheGapps: The go-to package for Lineage OS users. It’s lightweight and gets the job done.
Download MindTheGapps for Lineage OS
Once you’ve downloaded the right package, transfer the .zip file to your phone via USB. Be sure to remember where you saved it because you’ll need it later.
Installing GApps Using TWRP
Let’s start by using TWRP, one of the most popular custom recovery tools. It’s straightforward and reliable for installing GApps.
Boot into TWRP Recovery
The first step is to boot your phone into TWRP recovery mode. Here’s how:
- Turn off your device by holding the power button until it powers down completely.
- To boot into recovery, press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time. If you have a Samsung device, you may also need to hold the Bixby button.
- Once your device boots into recovery mode, you’ll see the TWRP screen.
Flash the GApps Zip File
Now, you’ll need to install the GApps package you downloaded earlier.
- From the TWRP menu, tap Install.
- Navigate to the folder where you saved the GApps .zip file and select it.
- Swipe to confirm the flash.
Wipe Cache & Reboot
After flashing GApps, it’s important to clear the cache to avoid any issues.
- Go to Wipe and choose Wipe Cache/Dalvik.
- Once the cache is wiped, go back to the main menu and tap Reboot System.
Your phone will restart, and once it boots up, you’ll see the Google login screen. That means GApps installed successfully!
Installing GApps Using ClockWorkMod (CWM)
If you’re using ClockWorkMod (CWM) instead of TWRP, don’t worry—the steps are pretty similar.
Boot into CWM Recovery
To install GApps with CWM, you first need to boot into recovery mode:
- Turn off your phone by holding the power button.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power buttons together (or Volume Up depending on your device). This will boot your phone into CWM recovery.
Flash the GApps Package
Now, you’re ready to flash GApps using CWM.
- In the CWM menu, choose Install zip from SD card.
- Navigate to the folder where you saved the GApps package and select it.
- Confirm the installation.
Clear Cache & Reboot
Just like in TWRP, you’ll want to clear the cache after installing GApps.
- In the CWM menu, go to Advanced and select Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache.
- Once that’s done, tap Reboot System Now.
When your device reboots, the Google setup process will start, and you’re good to go.
Fixing Common GApps Issues
Even though the process is straightforward, you might run into a few problems. Here’s how to fix some common issues:
- GApps Not Showing Up: This could happen if you downloaded the wrong version. Make sure the GApps package matches your Android version.
- Phone Stuck in a Boot Loop: If your phone is stuck restarting, boot back into recovery and clear the cache again. It usually solves the issue.
- Google Services Crashing: If Google services keep crashing, try reflashing both the custom ROM and GApps. Sometimes a fresh install fixes the issue.
And there you go! Now you’ve got Google apps back on your device after installing a custom ROM. It wasn’t so hard, right? Whether you used TWRP or CWM, you should now have access to all the Google apps and services you’re used to. Enjoy your newly set-up Android!