AI6YR Ben11h ago
Great /s #privacy #sms #cybersecurity #android
Show threadJack11h ago

@ai6yr Seriously... We can't maintain an app for one of the most basic features of the phone...?

Anyway, Samsung Messages is what I use, so I guess I'm looking for suggestions for a replacement now, if you know of any. 💀

Show threadIt'll be okay, we'll make it.11h ago
@jack @ai6yr
I use QUIK from F-Droid. It does most everything I've needed it to.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.octoshrimpy.quik.fdroid/
QUIK SMS | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Open source replacement to the stock SMS app on Android. A revival of QKSMS.

Show threadAI6YR Ben
@onedawnconstant @jack Curious if this will work post-Google lockdown. Looks like Google is looking to basically own everything on Android.
6:15pmWeb
Show threadIt'll be okay, we'll make it.11h ago

@ai6yr @jack At that point microwaving your phone would be the best solution. Once google does their BS, there's no going back, just abandon ship.

I'm not even sure GrapheneOS would survive, let alone LineageOS. There is no android without non google approved apps.

Show threadAI6YR Ben11h ago
@onedawnconstant @jack Curious if it's just better to bite the bullet and switch to Apple, which is equally bad, but a little less so.
Show threadJack10h ago

@ai6yr @onedawnconstant What do phones like Light Phone and other "dumb phone"s (acknowledgement of ableist language here, but haven't seen other terms for them yet...) that basically just call/text/take photos use for operating systems?

https://www.thelightphone.com/

(not a brand endorsement in any way and haven't used them, just one that's on my radar)

The Light Phone

Light is a radically different technology company. We design beautiful tools that respect and empower our users and our first product is The Light Phone.

Show threadEric Lawton10h ago

@ai6yr

I originally picked Android when it was almost as bad as Apple, only a little less so. Many years ago.

Sigh.

@onedawnconstant @jack

Show threadSolo la 🌍 salva a la 🌎10h ago

@ai6yr @onedawnconstant @jack

Edge case? Maybe. But I've been playing with LineageOS on an Android *tablet* and it ain't so bad. This is intended to replace my (beloved/hated) iPad, and it is just about there.

The only pain points left are of course iMessages and a favorite crossword app.

Between F-Droid and a fair number of apps just providing their APK files, the Play Store isn't so critical. And Termux gives Linux-y script fun.

But yeah, cell phone/data aspects, different story.

Show threadd.rift10h ago
@onedawnconstant @ai6yr @jack given GrapheneOS now has Motorola partnership, I think they're in for the long haul. The AOSP base system isn't keeling over just yet.
Show threadJack11h ago

@ai6yr @onedawnconstant So admittedly SMS is not at all within my tech knowledge and this may be wrong:

But because it's THE phone texting protocol at its most basic, I can't imagine Google would outright block SMS from getting sent/received through 3rd party apps, right?

Show threadNazo10h ago

@ai6yr @jack Actual access to things like SMS/MMS should continue to work normally, so if you can get an app on there it will work.

Initially their lockdown is mostly just going to be making it a real pita for end users to actually enable installing apks by seeking approval (though apparently they're stepping up approval for getting official signatures so I guess people also may have to turn off Google's app scanning — which one should really do anyway because Google.) Something installed via F-Droid or whatever should still work.

I'm sure eventually they'll start locking things down more like Apple, but that is presumably still years away. Probably...

This app definitely sounds like it's worth looking into.