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  • Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

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I just called a friend whose son works at Google. He was very surprised that the play store works on anything other than Android and strongly recommended that I reinstall the original operating system to get everything working...

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billinmtl Ah no it's not Android but Android and GOS are based on aosp

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    Does anyone know how to open a ticket for a security problem? There's a security problem here, it's not normal for RCS messages to stop working on grapheneos... It's a security advance that's been cut off.

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    billinmtl Android is a set of operating systems based on aosp; gos is not Android, but it is based on aosp.

    I would be wary to give an outdated app from APK mirror sensitive permissions by making it your default sms app.

    This is on Google's side, dozens of reports on Reddit have the same thing happen on stock or major OEM OSes. Best to just have Google resolve this before starting to use this with workarounds.

    I was weary of trying that fix (outdated beta APK with "pegasus" in the file name), but it did work with the caveat that it got hung up again until I cleared the storage/cache. I was then able to update it to the latest version via play store and revoke some permissions.

    EDIT: shortly after updating the APK from the play store my RCS became unregistered again. Gonna chalk this one up to a Google problem vice a graphene problem.

      samsepi0l
      I also don't like the thought of Pegasus spyware, any stranger sending me messages to my phone directly and Google collecting metadata, so I bought a separate MiFi-router (a mobile router) for that.
      It has a web-based interface for recieving SMS messages. (You connect to the device through the web browser)
      I kinda use it as a pager for carrier-related messages.
      I use Molly-FOSS for for chats and a web-based E-Mail client for recieving E-Mail.
      I am even considering switching to Briar messenger instead of Molly.

        Syberkonda This solution looked hopeful for me, except that I was not receiving any G- code. This is not too surprising since I no longer receive a code when I try to deactivate RCS through the website that sends the code, if you no longer have the device it was registered to. I may have to look at waiting 10 business days before trying again.

        [deleted]
        There are two methods to add a contact; locally and remotely, I never tried remotely myself, locally worked just fine, I did enable Bluetooth and WiFi however, not sure if those are requirements.
        Briar also logs out after rebooting the phone, that might not be convienent for contacts not willing to put in their passwords. (Or simply forgetting about it)
        Briar is usually meant for whistleblowers and people in need for extreme security, it does make the app a little harder to utilize for daily usage, I should have mentioned that before I recommended it.
        I use it for emergencies in case the internet goes out and as a secure alternative to Molly-FOSS, if there are enough Briar users connection might still be established (although delayed) from device to device, even during a blackout.
        It also uses TOR (in online mode) even with the possibility for bridges. (Sort of a TOR-obfuscation)
        The app is also nice for local forums and blogs that you don't want to share in the open like on Facebook.

        Please do not go off-topic and continue to do so. I would rather an admin not come and close this thread after all this time.

        7 days later

        I would also like to leverage RCS through an web app, but I don't want to involve Google for that. Is there an alternative way that is open source?

        Carlos-Anso I have almost all perms enabled for all google services. I've used RCS before on the same carrier as mentioned in an earlier post/comment. I do in fact use DNS filtering via nextdns but I believe I've whitelisted what is required; since losing device and taking the the time to use replacement as stock to compare, it now works. But I don't have DNS filtering enabled yet. Will report back...

        Syberkonda
        Are you able to achieve this with developer mode on official Messages from store without using the linked APK? I swear I've seen the very same ACS URL entry somewhere in Dev options

        To access dev mode open messages and click the search on top right. Enter the following and press enter when done:
        *xyzzy*
        Go to main screen of messages, click profile icon top right. You'll now see dev options.

        CAREFUL PLAYING WITH SOME SETTINGS IF YOU AREN'T AWARE OF THEM.
        It is possible to fill your migrating SMS messages with testing messages with a number 5555550001 going all the way up to 5555559999 so 10,000 texts that will NOT be removed by deleting the app. It will follow you to every other sms app.
        Only perform what the support rep mentioned then to disable the developer mode re-enter the same code in the search bar
        *xyzzy*

        This menu isn't completely dangerous, it's possible to actually enable flags for upcoming features, just perform due diligence before playing with random entries like I did trying to learn about them.

          I tried another carrier and nada. However, since I did, I noticed that Carrier Services actually had data to clear. It might be a coincidence since Grapheneos updated a couple of times and may have included CS in the apps it was optimising. RCS works on all of the carriers for those on their respective stock OS.