How can I set up my Google account without syncing Gmail?

Question

I got a Nexus 7 tablet. Is it possible to use my Google account just to download apps and for backup purpose?

I'd rather not see my emails, chats and contacts on the device as it's not with me all the time and shared with kids, and basically anyone in the house has access to it.

I couldn't find any options to do this. Without logging in with my Google account, the device is kind of useless. I tried turning off sync for everything after I logged in, but the emails are still syncing. Plus it's only a couple of clicks away to turn back on if anyone wished. I can't add password just for these apps either.

Please don't ask me to create another Gmail account just for this. Are rooting and installing custom ROM the only option? Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

Here's a working solution to add a Google account and prevent it from syncing everything.

1. Before adding the Google account, disable Sync (from system settings or from your pull-down menu).

2. With sync disabled, add the Google account.

3. Enable Airplane mode to prevent all data transfer.

4. Enable Sync. You must do this to modify the specific sync settings next.

5. Go into sync settings for the Google account, and uncheck all services you don't want synced. For your case, you only want Sync App Data enabled.

6. Disable airplane mode.

You now have the google account on your phone, and it hasn't synced anything except the services you chose to let it sync.

I follow this procedure to prevent emails and contacts from syncing. Contacts in particular are very annoying, since disabling sync doesn't delete the synced contacts from the phone, so you must prevent them from getting on your phone in the first place with this solution.

Answer 2

I would suggest you to have two users configured as Al Everett suggested and additionally configure to your need.

1. The first user as a main user use your Google account to have all the bells and whistles. Have a screen guard configured for this account so that no other user will be using it.
2. Then create a second user and use your Google account to install all necessary apps that you think necessary for the second user. This can include the apps that you had purchased with your Google account.
3. In Settings you can then opt out not to sync emails, contacts, photos and all the stuffs you wouldn't like to share. Again Settings->Apps, open GMail and clear its data to remove all the previously synced data.
4. Install App locker apps which will prevent unauthorized use of any apps by protecting with a password.

With the above both you and your kids can use the tablet in their own space with you worrying to share your mails and contacts with them.

Answer 3

Google allows to use application-specific passwords. I have not used them, especially not in an Android device but this may be a solution for your problem if it is possible to use a "Market-Only password" on your device.

BTW: The Google backup works AFAIK only for apps that explicitly support it (therefore not of every app). If you have an Android 4.0 or higher device you may want to try the local backup via ADB which saves all user data on the device.

Answer 4

Steps:

1. Go to Settings --> Under Wireless&Networks select Data Usage --> click Menu-->check Auto- Sync.

2. Then go back to Settings-->Accounts-->Google-->uncheck Gmail .

Or else you can uncheck Auto-sync option to disable automatic synchronizing all options.