5 ms·

This is the standard Android SMS/MMS app that's even automatically updated in Android version 8 and 9? I keep my phone unconnected except for cell service, so

This is the standard Android SMS/MMS app that's even automatically updated in Android version 8 and 9? I keep my phone unconnected except for cell service, so only get automatic updates every half a year or more whenever I purposefully or accidentally enable the wifi for some purpose. This last happened a week or so ago accidentally and I worried then that my data would be sent to Google despite not having a Google account (the Play Services still automatically updated Messages anyway). I deleted the saved home WiFi connection to prevent access from happening accidentally again, but there will likely come a time when I need to manually connect anyway. Is there a way to shut off these annoying automatic updates and prevent this, or should I just figure out how to switch the messaging app to another SMS/MMS app and say goodbye to my messaging history?

em-bee 3y ago
get a phone with an alternative OS that doesn't send data to google.
- ThePowerOfFuet 3y ago
  GrapheneOS has been great for me.
  - reacharavindh 3y ago
    As much as I wish for an open and non evil mobile device, GrapheneOS just gave me a chuckle - “GrapheneOS only officially supports Pixel devices” what a world we live in. To get away from Google, the only devices you do with are made by Google. I have given up. Regardless of how much tinkering you do at the OS level - hardened kernel, firewalls, VPNs, jailed apps whatever, the moment you want to make good use of your device doing common things we have come to expect - maps with turn-by-turn navigation that doesn’t suck, ability to write messages to other people where they are, without asking them to install some app first so that we can talk, we are bound to make a deal with the same devil we are fighting - Google, Facebook and other ad tracking machines. There is no point in keeping a hardened OS with Google Maps and WhatsApp installed. I made my deal with the devil that is Apple that atleast publicly pretends to care about privacy(of course, I have no way to verify that they do).
    - jacooper 3y ago
      You can't win everything, but GrapheneOS + Pixel is the closest thing we have to a phone you can trust. They only support pixels because Google follows their own standards and doesn't make up shit on the go, so they can lock the bootloader and sign the OS correctly. It's very usable and far better than an iPhone.
      - reacharavindh 3y ago
        I'll admit, the last time I tried copperheadOS or cyanogenMod was like a decade ago, and I should not be prejudiced. I'll see if I can play with a pixel device and grapheneOS and give it a chance to change my mind. The other part of my argument still stands... Do you use WhatsApp, Instagram etc for communication with friends? What Google services do you use on your phone? Google Maps, Youtube? Is there a way to use GrapheneOS on a Pixel device without sacrificing modern life social needs too much? Update: I thought about my need from phone a little more. I drive a VW Golf. The default infotainment stuff in the car is useless. I use Google Maps via Apple CarPlay to get driving directions in my car. Is there any way to satisfy this need with GrapheneOS without downloading the Playstore (which I consider as Game over and a submission stand to Google) given all the permissions the Playstore needs from the OS.
        jacooper 3y ago
        Everything you mentioned works on GrapheneOS, I wouldn't use it if it didnt, I am personally kind of on the limit of my inconvenience tolerance regarding such things. And don't worry, google services are treated as normal user level apps (1), and are sandboxed like any other user app, so you get perfect compatibility with better privacy and security than your average phone. Even Android Auto works now, issues only arise when dealing with safety net, googles hardware attestation (2). It mostly only affects bank apps, but in my experience most of them work without issues, however Gpay won't work at all no matter what. Personally the only worry I have with GrapheneOS is its crazy dev, he said he will step down (3), but he still does a lot (4). 1. https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play 2. https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps 3. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36089104 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36089104 4. Just check the commit logs in any of the grapheneOS repos. For example https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  Too expensive. I paid about $60 for my phone 3 years ago and am sticking with it for the remainder of 4G LTE if possible.
  - em-bee 3y ago
    i can understand that. i also prefer to get the most out of my devices before i replace them. which model is it? maybe it is already supported. then all you need to do is back up your data and flash it it with an alternative android.
    - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
      Moto E6. It looks like Lineage OS is available for it. As I don't know what installing a new OS will do to compatibility with my service I think I'll first try installing an alternate app from F-droid and see if it will transfer my SMS/MMS history.
ChoGGi 3y ago
"should I just figure out how to switch the messaging app to another SMS/MMS app and say goodbye to my messaging history? " fossify SMS will import your existing messages. Then you can uninstall/disable the Google one in your app settings. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fossify.messages/ https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fossify.messages/
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  Thanks. I'll be doing this.
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  Just replaced a bunch of Google apps with Fossify apps. This was a lot easier than I feared it would be.
  - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
    Shit. After disabling Google Messages I found out that Fossify SMS Messenger can't send text messages to email addresses, which is my primary use case. Now I have to figure out a way to re-enable Google Messages without signing into the play store with a Google account. Searching APKMirror. Edit: Damnit, I'm fucked. I can't reinstall through APKMirror because it calls the Google Play Store to finish the installation, and it won't install because I'm not signed into a Google account. Edit edit: Got Google Messages working again by installing the most recent beta version with APKMirror. I think APKMirror wasn't installing the prior download because it was an earlier version than the one I had disabled. I'll try to keep Fossify set as the default for receipt of texts and only use Google for sending texts and images to email addresses.
    - Our_Benefactors 3y ago
      This post is peak HN. Why not just get a feature phone? It seems like a better choice for the über paranoid like yourself.
      - 3y ago

em-bee 3y ago

get a phone with an alternative OS that doesn't send data to google.

ThePowerOfFuet 3y ago
GrapheneOS has been great for me.
- reacharavindh 3y ago
  As much as I wish for an open and non evil mobile device, GrapheneOS just gave me a chuckle - “GrapheneOS only officially supports Pixel devices” what a world we live in. To get away from Google, the only devices you do with are made by Google. I have given up. Regardless of how much tinkering you do at the OS level - hardened kernel, firewalls, VPNs, jailed apps whatever, the moment you want to make good use of your device doing common things we have come to expect - maps with turn-by-turn navigation that doesn’t suck, ability to write messages to other people where they are, without asking them to install some app first so that we can talk, we are bound to make a deal with the same devil we are fighting - Google, Facebook and other ad tracking machines. There is no point in keeping a hardened OS with Google Maps and WhatsApp installed. I made my deal with the devil that is Apple that atleast publicly pretends to care about privacy(of course, I have no way to verify that they do).
  - jacooper 3y ago
    You can't win everything, but GrapheneOS + Pixel is the closest thing we have to a phone you can trust. They only support pixels because Google follows their own standards and doesn't make up shit on the go, so they can lock the bootloader and sign the OS correctly. It's very usable and far better than an iPhone.
    - reacharavindh 3y ago
      I'll admit, the last time I tried copperheadOS or cyanogenMod was like a decade ago, and I should not be prejudiced. I'll see if I can play with a pixel device and grapheneOS and give it a chance to change my mind. The other part of my argument still stands... Do you use WhatsApp, Instagram etc for communication with friends? What Google services do you use on your phone? Google Maps, Youtube? Is there a way to use GrapheneOS on a Pixel device without sacrificing modern life social needs too much? Update: I thought about my need from phone a little more. I drive a VW Golf. The default infotainment stuff in the car is useless. I use Google Maps via Apple CarPlay to get driving directions in my car. Is there any way to satisfy this need with GrapheneOS without downloading the Playstore (which I consider as Game over and a submission stand to Google) given all the permissions the Playstore needs from the OS.
      - jacooper 3y ago
        Everything you mentioned works on GrapheneOS, I wouldn't use it if it didnt, I am personally kind of on the limit of my inconvenience tolerance regarding such things. And don't worry, google services are treated as normal user level apps (1), and are sandboxed like any other user app, so you get perfect compatibility with better privacy and security than your average phone. Even Android Auto works now, issues only arise when dealing with safety net, googles hardware attestation (2). It mostly only affects bank apps, but in my experience most of them work without issues, however Gpay won't work at all no matter what. Personally the only worry I have with GrapheneOS is its crazy dev, he said he will step down (3), but he still does a lot (4). 1. https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play 2. https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps 3. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36089104 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36089104 4. Just check the commit logs in any of the grapheneOS repos. For example https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc
anonymouskimmer 3y ago
Too expensive. I paid about $60 for my phone 3 years ago and am sticking with it for the remainder of 4G LTE if possible.
- em-bee 3y ago
  i can understand that. i also prefer to get the most out of my devices before i replace them. which model is it? maybe it is already supported. then all you need to do is back up your data and flash it it with an alternative android.
  - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
    Moto E6. It looks like Lineage OS is available for it. As I don't know what installing a new OS will do to compatibility with my service I think I'll first try installing an alternate app from F-droid and see if it will transfer my SMS/MMS history.

ChoGGi 3y ago

"should I just figure out how to switch the messaging app to another SMS/MMS app and say goodbye to my messaging history? " fossify SMS will import your existing messages. Then you can uninstall/disable the Google one in your app settings. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fossify.messages/ https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fossify.messages/

anonymouskimmer 3y ago
Thanks. I'll be doing this.
anonymouskimmer 3y ago
Just replaced a bunch of Google apps with Fossify apps. This was a lot easier than I feared it would be.
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  Shit. After disabling Google Messages I found out that Fossify SMS Messenger can't send text messages to email addresses, which is my primary use case. Now I have to figure out a way to re-enable Google Messages without signing into the play store with a Google account. Searching APKMirror. Edit: Damnit, I'm fucked. I can't reinstall through APKMirror because it calls the Google Play Store to finish the installation, and it won't install because I'm not signed into a Google account. Edit edit: Got Google Messages working again by installing the most recent beta version with APKMirror. I think APKMirror wasn't installing the prior download because it was an earlier version than the one I had disabled. I'll try to keep Fossify set as the default for receipt of texts and only use Google for sending texts and images to email addresses.
  - Our_Benefactors 3y ago
    This post is peak HN. Why not just get a feature phone? It seems like a better choice for the über paranoid like yourself.
    - 3y ago