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> I'm confused at what is stopping you from doing this? As far as I know the backup is encrypted. > Are you not able to import these backups into the desktop

> I'm confused at what is stopping you from doing this? As far as I know the backup is encrypted. > Are you not able to import these backups into the desktop client? No, the desktop client is not standalone, and ONLY syncs with the a phone to get content. Moreover, if you don't use the client for a period (2-3 weeks in my experience?) it de-syncs that desktop client. Re-connecting that desktop to your phone will only sync messages starting as-of the connection, so there's no way to get the desktop app to pull your whole history. (This is another gripe I have about their sacrifice of actual usability for security that only helps a few very specific use-cases.) You're probably rigth about hacking something together. Someone has created a library [0] allegedly for decoding the backup files. Friday night is D&D night though, so I haven't had the chance. :-) [0] https://github.com/pajowu/signal-backup-decode https://github.com/pajowu/signal-backup-decode

godelski 4y ago
I was more thinking to port chats from your phone to the desktop. The desktop client is on the NAS and serves as the "storage" where you can search your full backup. I would guess there would be a more difficult solution where you could hack the phone app to sync all data instead of just when your desktop connects. So that solution might take more than just a Saturday night ;) I agree that there aren't really any great solutions. But the alternative is that Signal stores your data. I think this would make a lot of users very upset and compromise part of Signal's core mission.
- daedalus_j 4y ago
  Agree, I don't want them storing anything. This is one area where, and I know what you're going to say, but Matrix actually does really well. My data, on my server, in my house, not tied to any specific single device I own but distributed across several and backed up in an encrypted manner. But you've got me thinking about the data export option. Saturday is coming. Hmm...
  - godelski 4y ago
    > and I know what you're going to say, but Matrix actually does really well. I'm actually a fan of Matrix. I just see Matrix and Signal as different tools. You're probably aware of it, but if not, there is a Matrix bridge for Signal. > But you've got me thinking about the data export option. Saturday is coming. Hmm... Hey, I'm really hoping it works. Let me know how it goes! [0] https://matrix.org/docs/projects/bridge/mautrix-signal https://matrix.org/docs/projects/bridge/mautrix-signal

godelski 4y ago

I was more thinking to port chats from your phone to the desktop. The desktop client is on the NAS and serves as the "storage" where you can search your full backup. I would guess there would be a more difficult solution where you could hack the phone app to sync all data instead of just when your desktop connects. So that solution might take more than just a Saturday night ;) I agree that there aren't really any great solutions. But the alternative is that Signal stores your data. I think this would make a lot of users very upset and compromise part of Signal's core mission.

daedalus_j 4y ago
Agree, I don't want them storing anything. This is one area where, and I know what you're going to say, but Matrix actually does really well. My data, on my server, in my house, not tied to any specific single device I own but distributed across several and backed up in an encrypted manner. But you've got me thinking about the data export option. Saturday is coming. Hmm...
- godelski 4y ago
  > and I know what you're going to say, but Matrix actually does really well. I'm actually a fan of Matrix. I just see Matrix and Signal as different tools. You're probably aware of it, but if not, there is a Matrix bridge for Signal. > But you've got me thinking about the data export option. Saturday is coming. Hmm... Hey, I'm really hoping it works. Let me know how it goes! [0] https://matrix.org/docs/projects/bridge/mautrix-signal https://matrix.org/docs/projects/bridge/mautrix-signal