this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2025
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DeGoogle Yourself

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i have been on GrapheneOS for around a year now but the default one feels lacking of features like searching for texts etc. so what other sms apos out there that are foss and feature-full.

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[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip -4 points 1 week ago (18 children)

You shouldn't be using SMS enough to care what the default app is like.

The only thing that you should be using SMS for in this day and age is to get two factor authentication codes from the institutions who are still too stupid to use TOTP

And maybe updates from your pharmacy or grocery order.

[–] starlinguk@lemmy.world -4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

So you want them to install a potentially dodgy app like Signal or WhatsApp to send the odd message?

[–] MotoAsh@piefed.social 17 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Signal isn't dodgy like WhatsApp is. It's just not perfectly anonymous.

[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

It's a little dodgy. ;-)

The biggest issue with Signal is that it requires a phone number to register an account, even if you’re just using the desktop version. Asking Signal to hand over the data it holds on you shows that the phone number you’re using is associated with each device you’ve used to log into Signal.

As a result, Signal must hand this information over when requested to by U.S. law enforcement. The scope of what an investigator could learn is limited, but at the bare minimum they would be able to confirm when you last connected to the service.

While most of Google’s analytics are turned off in the Signal app, it still uses the Google Maps API to handle location data. Calls to Google Maps turn over a bunch of metadata, including the IP you’re connecting from. For a project that’s so invested in privacy, it’s surprising that Signal doesn’t use an open source alternative such as Open Street Map.

[–] MotoAsh@piefed.social 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yea, but that's infinitely better than WhatsApp where every piece of data is owned by Facebook and sold to every marketing firm in the world and freely handed over to cops.

[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago

Agreed. I did just write "a little dodgy". :-)

[–] redhilsha@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Copy/paste a sentence, then search - and you have the source.

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 0 points 6 days ago (1 children)

You quote, and don't provide source. Your post is incomplete.

[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 0 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Sorry. I thought I dealt with mature people in here, that knew how to use a search engine of their choice. I can see that I was wrong. BTW your comment is irrelevant...

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 0 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

You question my maturity, when you sulk/tantrum when folk ask for a source... You wouldn't survive in academia. Too insecure and defensive.

I wasn't even OP. You were just wrong and I had same question.

Your point about knowing search engines is irrelevant.

Please, provide a source, or we can only assume you're talking out of your backside which by your response seems a reasonable conclusion.

[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 0 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Oh, you are talking for whom now? Who are "we", that you are spokes person for?

This is not a serious debate - but I guess it's too hard for you to copy/paste a sentence, and see the source for yourself. Let me help you, for you are obviously not mature enough to just do it yourself. Insted you waste everybody's time with this childish behavior.

Here... It took me about 12 seconds to find it for you. So, what is the next thing you are going to whine about?

https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/nothing-personal/signal-privacy-review/

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 0 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

It's a pain in the arse to do it on mobile.

If I had to search a reference from every arrogant prick online, I'd have no time for anything else. You make an assertion, you back it up, simple. It ain't your work.

I will say thank you for the source. It's a good one. Could have saved so much time if you just shared the link. Does seem that ease was not then plan. Your fragile ego needs to try and lord it over random strangers online. I'll help you with that. You're so wise and smart. So adult. I hope one day your self esteem gets to the point where you don't need this song and dance.

[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 0 points 6 days ago

So instead, you sit there like an arrogant prick, and a baby, and demand that people do the work for you.

You could grow up, and stop wasting peoples time on something so simple as copy/paste and hit search. Stop whining about not having the skills to use your phone...

[–] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

It no longer requires a phone number.

[–] Eirikr70@jlai.lu 2 points 1 week ago

Right, but how many people are willing to use Signal? I have my own messaging server, and those who don't want to use it write sms to me.

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago

Of course not. I want them to offer authenticator based TOTP so that you can use a password manager or the likes to manage the OTP codes.

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