this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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I wasn't aware of the fact that the API changes would affect the Revanced workaround. Also, haven't the API changes already happened?
Yeah, Reddit hasn't really changed the API itself with these recent changes, they just made the keys to it cost money.
An API is basically a communication standard between the app and Reddit, that standard changes as new features are added or decisions are made. The app might make a request like getvideo and expect to get a video with the .redditvid extension. Now let's say Reddit decided to fix their shitty video player and now they start rolling out a new video format, .redditvidgood, and update the API so that getvideo returns this new type.
Now the app makes a getvideo request and gets a .redditvidgood video, but it has no idea how to handle this format, it's still expecting the old .redditvid format. At best the app will fail to load these new videos but still function otherwise, at worst the app will crash any time it tries to load a video. In this example, even with the best case scenario most videos don't work anymore. It's only a matter of time before a change completely breaks all apps that don't update for the current API, and only a dev with the source code can make those updates to the app.
What about apps like Relay for Reddit? They are continuing with a paid model in the future and are complying with the API changes. They should be unaffected by this, if I've understood correctly? Relay is my app of choice.
In the case of "legit" apps that are following the new rules, they will be fine. The dev will likely have knowledge of an upcoming API change before it's released so they can update their app for it before it breaks anything.
The problem with revanced apps is there is no dev making these updates, at least not that I'm aware of.
Relay is continuing right? So the revanced patch will update alongside. Anyways if any such change happens I'll just leave Reddit tbh.
Why are you revancing Relay if it works already? Relay does appear to be following the new rules and will work unaffected.
The new rules don't permit NSFW content. Also, they will be moving to a paid plan soon.