Idea - Android contacts and phone/SMS integration

Idea - Android contacts and phone/SMS integration

I don't know enough to explain this perfectly, but I'll try and really sorry.

Over the last year or so I've been interested in migrating away from Google and Microsoft services with a view to finding services that provide apps that don't rely on those companies. I've tried Zoho many, many years ago and at that stage it didn't offer what I was looking for. This year, I looked at the services, and it seems it can offer a replacement for many things. I'm looking to replace services and Zoho is just awesome.

When it comes to my Android phone and messaging, there does seem to be a gap that I can't find in Zoho. That is, to replace Google Contacts with Zoho contacts without a Google account sync. Using the add account feature within Android shows both Google and Microsoft, but the contacts within the Zoho app are not picked up. As such, it results in a duplication between contacts and it requires the Google account.

It may be an Android limitation. When using apps in Android, when it does ask for contacts, as Zoho contacts cannot be selected, it must default somewhere as the system (or app) cannot progress without a decision. For example, I downloaded numerous apps which required as permissions access to 'contacts' and only Microsoft and Google were provided in the list (and for some reason, CCleaner - no idea why).

Ultimately, Zoho is awesome, it'd be good to use my Zoho contacts as default contacts under Android. I don't know much about computers and have tried so many apps without success.

I'd love to delete all Google (other than the Play Store) and Microsoft Services under Android as well as Windows. That's my main goal.

Under Android, I'm currently using Contacts+ and like many apps, it uses a Google account for sync.

So, the question or suggestion is something that works with Android so I can use Zoho products for making and receiving calls, making and receiving SMS/MMS without it requiring a Google account. I found it easier to think of it this way: If I deleted my Google account, would it work?

My experience shows that no, it doesn't work, mostly through contacts because it requires access to Google even though the apps are independent. I can't figure it out. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks for reading.