1) Root your phone (or find a kid to root it for you) ...
2) Install Android Firewall+
tinyurl.com/yd62xumz (links to G**gle Play Store) ...
3) Check logs to see exactly who your smartphone is communicating with ...
4) Block (by application) anyone who you don't want your phone talking to ...
Problem solved!
My phone still tries to communicate hundreds of times every day with Google Play services, Google Play Store, and others, but all attempts fail. Because AFWall+ blocks them.
I also replaced Google's Android OS [firmware] on my phone with a third party version called LineageOS, which removed all of G**gle's built-in spyware and crapware. But the process of switching has a pretty high "geek quotient."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LineageOS
BKMK