Google Play Store blocks AuroraStore, breaking app installs for GrapheneOS users
Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users
Aurora Store, the alternative Android app client popular on privacy-focused ROMs like GrapheneOS and CalyxOS, is hitting a wall: users report a persistent “Server busy, please try again later” error when installing or updating apps, even on the latest nightly. The issue appears tied to Google's backend, with anonymous accounts failing while some users find workarounds like refreshing accounts or switching VPN exit countries. The bug tracker is flooded with confirmations, and the community suspects Google is throttling or blocking third-party access.
It's google blocking access for third party anonymous downloads.
- pyrophane
GrapheneOS actually recommends against using Aurora and instead just using the Play Store, so this shouldn't really hurt users.
For extra privacy, you can sign into the Play Store with a Google Account that isn't tied to anything else.
- troyvit
I use Aurora on GOS. I get that they say sandboxed Play is more secure than Aurora, but I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns.
I think the increased popularity of GOS is going to draw in more users like me who picked it for reasons adjacent to Graphene's original purpose, and I hope it's not too annoying for their community.
- kjander79
I feel the title editorializes a bit too much. The thread only confirms the bug, not a specific cause yet. As sibling comments indicate, the effect on GrapheneOS users is undetermined.
- skeledrew
I've been stuck with unupdated apps because Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while. A few of them have been nagging me to update. I have everything Google disabled or removed, and no I won't reenable any of it. Also I use anon strictly on Aurora, and no I won't login with my Google account; haven't logged in on a phone for over 8 years now and I have no intention of breaking the streak.
- ssernikk
I maintain my grandmothers phone, which comes down mostly to just updating WhatsApp once in a while. Obviously she doesn't have a google account, so I've installed her AuroraStore.
It's a shame that there is no official way to install apps on android without a google accout[1], since it's a basic functionality, just like calls or a web browser.
[1] For obvious reasons I don't want her to download apks from the internet.
- denzen
Using lineageos on an old samsung without any google services, I guess this would impact many "degoogled" users as well
- hoshi73
Installing apps from Aurora Store still does seem to work, although only occasionally. It is more likely that Google is deploying a new API schema on its Play API endpoint that the app doesn't know how to parse correctly yet.
- welwala
Annoying but this kinda thing happens every 6 months or so. Sometimes Google starts throttling, other times doing some API checks. Every time the Aurora guys figure out a way around it. They're our heroes <3
Even this particular error ("Server busy, try again later"). I've been seeing over the past weeks but then a few days later it worked again. I'm not too worried. It also happens or me right now indeed.