this post was submitted on 25 May 2024
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DeGoogle Yourself

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Phone and messages replacement (lemmy.ml)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
18 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hi all,

Currently trying to DeGoogle my phone. I'm down to the last few apps. I want to replace the Phone and Messages apps.

I tried the Fossify versions from FDroid but was met with mixed problems. The first is the phone app. The Fossify version doesn't have Spam call warnings like the Google version. The Fossify version also doesn't have a voicemail button, not really a deal breaker but nice to have.

Second was a bigger problem though, the messages app. At first it seemed to work, but couldn't send pictures after a short time. I usually send picture links anyway so not the worst but kind of annoying. After a while I would start getting delays in receiving standard SMS messages and finally wasn't able to send any messages at all. I switched back to Google messages and everything worked flawlessly immediately. Also I turned off RCS in Google messages prior to switching.

If any of you could recommend a good SMS/Phone app i would appreciate it.

  • QKSMS is unmaintained as are a lot of other SMS apps in the stores.
  • I've got a Pixel 7 with the stock OS, but will be moving to LineageOS soon.
  • I use Signal when I can, but I have clients that I can't simply request they use a whole separate app just for me.
  • Using T-Mobile
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[–] [email protected] 21 points 6 months ago (1 children)

This is going off-topic a little, but as you've got a Pixel why not install GrapheneOS rather than LineageOS? It's de-googled by default and the built-in phone and SMS app seem fine!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (4 children)

I've got a few banking apps that require safety net (plus Pokemon go). I was under the impression that I need root ( and magisk, etc) to make that happen. Does graphene pass safety net, or is there another way to use those apps?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps

tl;dr:

GrapheneOS passes the basicIntegrity check but isn't certified by Google so it fails the ctsProfileMatch check.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

ProfileMatch is usually a must

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago

If you're going to wipe your phone anyway, may as well start with GrapheneOS and test your banking apps before setting up everything else to see if it will work for you. You can always revert to stock and flash LineageOS instead if they don't.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago

Most banking apps seem to work fine, but one of mine recently decided to implement the "Play Integrity API" which broke it on GrapheneOS, so I have to use the mobile site for that one. I just tried installing pogo, it complained at first but then seemed to load fine (though I didn't try actually playing it).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

U can relock the boot loader and u also got sandboxxed google play services if u need em.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 6 months ago (3 children)

For SMS, Quik is the replacement I use for QKSMS, and it works the same, allowing blocking, back Up and all that good stuff.

For phone, I've heard good things of Clever dialer and Phone +, but I use GrapheneOS's dialer, so I can't say out of experience.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I've had great experience with QKSMS on GrapheneOS. Thanks for directing me to the fork, I'm switching to it right away.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Glad I could help.

[–] MrPoopbutt 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Does qksms use RCS?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Afaik, only google dialer and samsung support RCS. This is a limitation imposed by google.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

E2EE is an extension of RCS that's controlled by google, they don't control the basic RCS standard though. I believe anyone can implement RCS in their messaging app and the GSMA will probably roll E2EE into the standard at some point. RCS is carrier dependent (all three major US carriers are supporting it) and you've got to have a data plan instead of good old SMS going over regular cell service.

Oh yeah, +1 for Quik SMS. It's the best I've found

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Regardless of all that, there are no other (open source) RCS clients on android because of google.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Great, I didn't know qksms had a fork so I'll give this a shot. Thank you!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago
  • Trying to find dialer/contacts myself
  • You can try quik SMS
  • Definitely suggest using GrapheneOS with their implementation of sandboxes GAPPS
[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

About spam, theres a recently added app on fdroid called spamblock. Have you tried it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

I haven't heard of that one, I'll check it out tomorrow. Thank you!