Google's plan is to annoy you relentlessly until you update Messages ( www.androidauthority.com )

There's a new Google Messages update page that takes up your phone's entire display every time you open the app.

Granted, keeping your apps up to date is important, and this new system will help get that across to users. But we’re not sure annoying the hell out of the user about it is the best strategy.

01189998819991197253 ,
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

CalyxOS or GrapheneOS if on Pixel or Divest if your device is supported on LineageOS, and you won't have to deal with Google's BS.

algorithmae , (edited )

Does anyone know the last version that didn't do this?

Edit: trying messages.android_20240123_01_RC04, we'll see if it works

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Use Fossify SMS, QKSMS or QUIK SMS (updated fork of QKSMS)

If you're tired of all this Google bullshit, switch to a better Android ROM like GrapheneOS or DivestOS, these don't include any of Google's proprietary spyware and improve your privacy/security.

Flax_vert ,

What about RCS?

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Unfortunately AOSP (controlled by Google, keep that in mind) doesn't provide an API for RCS messaging. That means, you can't use a third-party app. Google doesn't allow you to use a third party app because they want to force you to use their proprietary garbage.

Fogle ,

Has anyone else lost the ability to scroll their messages with the bar showing you the dates?

GreenEngineering3475 OP ,

The bar shows dates?

Fogle ,

Yes when you grab and scroll it shows the date

sbv ,

That sounds like an awesome feature, but no, I don't have it. And I'm not sure I ever did.

lud ,

I don't think I have ever seen that feature. Seems nice though.

It's probably just Google A/B testing like usual. Hopefully everyone gets it eventually.

dukatos ,

It is even worse: I disabled it on my Poco and it reappeared couple of days ago. Fuck Google!

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Can't you remove it with the Universal Android Debloater or just flash a custom ROM?

dukatos ,

Yes, I removed it but Google installed it again... This phone can be unlocked and flashed with LineageOS, I just had no time to play with it...

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Which Poco is it?

dukatos ,

Poco X3 pro

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

You could install DivestOS, it's a more secure OS build on top of Lineage. Here's the link for your device if you want to check it out: https://divestos.org/pages/devices#device-vayu

dukatos ,

Thanks!

AstralPath ,

If this annoys you, try QKSMS instead. Go another step further and flash GrapheneOS onto your Pixel. It's worth it for the peace of mind.

kalpol ,

I have to have MS apps for work and so have two devices, one with Lineage and one stock....its amazing how bad the stock experience is on a Galaxy Tab. Samsung and Google constantly bugs me to use apps I can't remove or turn off. Its infuriating that this is a tablet I paid for.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Have you tried the Universal Android Debloater?

kalpol ,

Hey no did not know about this. Thanks!

milicent_bystandr ,

QKSMS is great

DynamoSunshirtSandals ,
@DynamoSunshirtSandals@possumpat.io avatar

If only we could get RCS with any app other than Google's. I wonder how long they can gatekeep those APIs.

SquigglyEmpire ,

As long as they can get away with it

okamiueru ,

Is this something akin to what Apple does by adding application layer functionality to SMS messaging? And, please correct me if I'm wrong about how the apple stuff works.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

No, iMessage is a completely separate protocol and has nothing to do with SMS. It uses WiFi/Cellular data, unlike SMS. It doesn't involve your mobile carrier at all, it all goes through Apple's servers. They just put iMessage (which is basically like WhatsApp or Signal) and SMS into the same app and made everything confusing and annoying to use.

MSugarhill ,

And even better, move to QUIK as it is it's actively maintained successor.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Just want to leave these links here

GitHub: https://github.com/octoshrimpy/quik

F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.octoshrimpy.quik/

BradleyUffner ,

Didn't all android apps take up your entire screen when you open them?

brax ,

Pretty sure a lot of apps do this now

ColdWater ,
@ColdWater@lemmy.ca avatar

As a Lineage OS user I don't have this weakness

Andromxda , (edited )
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Your OS has lots of other weaknesses (literally) though. GrapheneOS is the way to go, DivestOS is another option.

keyez ,

I don't have a pixel (literally) though so graphene isn't an option but thanks.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

That's why I mentioned DivestOS, it's built on top of Lineage but has much better security (including the ability to re-lock the bootloader). It supports many devices, including some older devices.

atro_city ,

Pulling a microsoft

Kbobabob ,

I guess it's time to switch to Linux

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Great option on desktop. For mobile devices, I recommend GrapheneOS, it's Android without all the proprietary Google bullshit and with massive privacy/security improvements.

Sanctus ,
@Sanctus@lemmy.world avatar

Might sacrifice my older fold 3 to see if its possible on foldables. Dont think it is.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Unfortunately it currently only works with Google Pixel devices, but it does support the Pixel Fold, as all the foldable-related code is included in AOSP (which GrapheneOS is built from)

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

I uninstalled that crap years ago in favor of Key Messaging. Has an awesome keyword filter and spam blacklist.

dan ,
@dan@upvote.au avatar

[Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

    •
    Kecessa ,

    SMS is pretty much the default option in North America

    apfelwoiSchoppen ,
    @apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world avatar

    Slowly changing, glacial pace.

    TrickDacy ,

    God forbid you communicate through a channel not governed by Facebook

    viking ,
    @viking@infosec.pub avatar

    Yes exactly, so that's why I need an SMS app that's filtering all the spam out and is as least intrusive as possible. I only want my 2FA messages to go through, nothing else.

    MSugarhill ,

    Yeah, I need it for all folks jot using Signal.

    Andromxda ,
    @Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

    Is it open source?

    viking ,
    @viking@infosec.pub avatar

    Nope, but I don't care about that.

    subignition ,
    subignition avatar

    Google Photos has also been doing a fullscreen update hassle where you don't have an "don't ask again" option 😑

    RubberElectrons ,
    @RubberElectrons@lemmy.world avatar

    Ohhhh, is that why google photos has suddenly been crashing relentlessly since I updated? Sheesh

    Rascabin ,

    For me, i couldn't reply via notifications until I updated. That's usually the case for me.

    southsamurai ,
    @southsamurai@sh.itjust.works avatar

    I might worry about that if I ever opened the app.

    Anticorp ,

    "Maybe later" literally every time you open anything now. It should be illegal to not give people a "no" option.

    PhlubbaDubba ,

    The problem is that sometimes they choose that, and then they pitch a fit at you when their out of date software becomes the point of entry that's lead to them needing to figure out how to buy and trade crypto.

    Software is made for the lowest common denominator to be able to use, and that means hand holding and railroading for everyone else, or else we get dumbasses who some the fuck how managed to backgrade their OS to the original Windows OS and are now exposed to literally every security risk that has been invented since that was released.

    Mango ,

    Don't protect me from me or you'll be protecting you from me next.

    GreenEngineering3475 OP ,

    People on metered connection and low connectivity areas are probably going to more inconvenienced by this force update banner. Unable to use your message app because you forgot to update and now cannot connect to the internet.

    brax ,

    I'm sure if you swipe down from the top, the menu will stop drop down

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