Migrating from Signal to Molly (issues restoring backup due to version conflict)

scrupulous

Hi :) I'm new to GOS and would appreciate if someone could help me.

I want to migrate from signal to molly, but I can't restore my backup because my version of sIgnal is too new.

What do I do?

Wait until molly catches up and then just use that backup? (so lose all the messages sent since that old backup)
Not update signal until molly catches up and then create a backup and use that?

How do I know when molly has caught up? (as the Molly and Signal apk versions no longer correspond since the latest release)

Molly v7.6.2-1 - Signal v7.6.2.
Molly v7.8.1-1 - Signal v7.8.1
Molly v7.8.1-2 - Signal 7.10.1 (Latest)

The current Signal release is 7.11.4

I assume a molly update is imminent as it has been over a month since the last release. It says there should be an update about every 2 weeks, but it seems it's getting closer to a month. Is that something to be worried about?

Or maybe I'm just ignorant and someone could explain it to me.

Thanks in advance.

Dumdum

scrupulous Wait until molly catches up and then just use that backup? (so lose all the messages sent since that old backup)

Why would you lose all messages? Just continue to use Signal until Molly catches up, then make a new backup once the versions match and transfer over.

Not update signal until molly catches up and then create a backup and use that?

Technically you could do that, but its up to you if you want to risk the security of Signal by not updating.

Molly and Signal apk versions no longer correspond since the latest release)

Molly v7.6.2-1 - Signal v7.6.2.
Molly v7.8.1-1 - Signal v7.8.1
Molly v7.8.1-2 - Signal 7.10.1 (Latest)

What do you mean "no longer correspond"? Molly v7.8.1 (both -1 and -2) should correspond to Signal v7.8.1. Its the same version.

It says there should be an update about every 2 weeks, but it seems it's getting closer to a month. Is that something to be worried about?

FOSS developers aren't always available to update apps, sometimes even taking up to a few months depending on how busy they are. This is normal and not a concern unless they've gone completely silent for half a year or more.

other8026

scrupulous Before migrating to Molly, I removed Google Play's permission to install apps so Signal wouldn't be automatically updated. I just had both installed and after I saw Molly had an update, I switched over then. Maybe you can do something similar?

scrupulous

Dumdum Thanks for responding

Dumdum Why would you lose all messages?

because in this scenario my signal would have updated even more, so molly would be behind by the time it comes out?

(or am i wrong and the new molly release will be the same as whatever signal release is out at that time?)

Dumdum Technically you could do that, but its up to you if you want to risk the security of Signal by not updating

I really don't want to risk it. Which is why I want to know how to know when the signal and molly versions will align.

Dumdum What do you mean "no longer correspond"? Molly v7.8.1 (both -1 and -2) should correspond to Signal v7.8.1. Its the same version.

The latest molly github releases (Molly v7.8.1-2) says: This hotfix includes several bug fixes from Signal 7.10.1.

Maybe I misunderstood this. I assumed it meant this molly apk corresponds to signal 7.10.1

Dumdum FOSS developers aren't always available to update apps, sometimes even taking up to a few months depending on how busy they are. This is normal and not a concern unless they've gone completely silent for half a year or more.

ok cool, that's good to know. as long as security patches are kept up to date. I obviously get that people have lives and tons of other shit to do. I guess I'm just scared that if they don't keep up to the 2 week promise that maybe the security patch promise will start lagging. Or that it's a sign that the project is becoming too big for a small team.

But yeah, that's from a perspective of someone who doesn't know a whole lot on the topic, so thanks for putting me at ease.

scrupulous

other8026 thanks for the suggestion :)

I use aurora store, so i update manually anyway.

Just don't really want to let my signal get too out of date if it can be helped.

But it's a viable option for sure.

Dumdum

scrupulous The latest molly github releases (Molly v7.8.1-2) says: This hotfix includes several bug fixes from Signal 7.10.1.

Maybe I misunderstood this. I assumed it meant this molly apk corresponds to signal 7.10.1

That's just the bug fixes. The actual features and changes of 7.10.1 were not included. Its only when the changelog says "Merged: Signal (version number)" (such as 7.8.1-1 and 7.6.2-1) that the versions of the apps match up.

EDIT: It seems like versions ending in -1 are always full merges, while the -2 ones are the bug fixes.

maur

I currently use signal but would like to switch to Molly. I would like to understand if the migration between the two software is always possible or if there is a possibility that the transition from Molly to Signal will be prevented now or in the future. Can I pair a client with Signal desktop to Molly? And if, for some reason, I have to go back to Signal, can there be problems transferring the account with chats and everything else from Molly to Signal? Thank you.

flighty_sloth

maur Yes you can pair signal desktop with Molly, and I've never had any issue with missing messages or anything when transferring backups, the version issue is the only issue I've encountered.

maur

Thanks for the reply. So before transferring the account do I have to check that the Molly version of the new mobile corresponds to the Signal version of the old mobile?

flighty_sloth

maur Yes and keep in mind that by transferring the account you will not transfer the chats, you need to use the encrypted backup and restore function from Settings > backup > Chat backups, and following to the instructions carefully. Currently if you have an up to date version of signal it will be impossible until molly issues an update, as others have mentioned it might be necessary to not update signal temporarily. (The version Molly is using doesn't necessarily have to be the same, just at least the same or newer, and vice versa if switching from Molly to signal).

maur

flighty_sloth Thank you. This information is very important. I will use the backup.

maur

Hallo. Maybe I made a mistake. I made the backup from signal in my old handy. I copied the 16 numbers pin, then I moved the backup file to my new mobile, when Molly is installed. I started configuration, but it didn't ask me to restore a backup. I stopped the configuration when it asked me to write my name. But I already wrote my phone number. I thought that the way I follawed can be wrong and that I was restoring the account without chat backup. Now Signal app on my old mobile is disconnected. How can I continue? Thank you

maur

Sorry I wrote "handy", but I mean "mobile". I made confusion with German.
Here point 6 says:

Open the Molly app. Enable database encryption if desired. As soon as the option is given, tap Transfer or restore account. Answer any permissions questions

Maybe does it mean that the procedure I'm following is correct and I can restore backup after I write the name?
Thank you

maur

At the moment Molly's configuration is stopped on the form where I should enter the name.
The Signal app of the old device, where there is still all the chat history, gives me the possibility to record it again.
Perhaps the best thing to do is to finish Molly's setup; read or copy the messages I received there; Re-register the app of the old phone and re-make the backup.
The Signal version of the old mobile phone is 7.11.4. while Molly's is 7.17.5-1. I forgot to compare versions before migrating. So I think it's time to install an older version of Molly on the new phone and then update it. Do you think it can be done? Isn't there a risk that re-registering my old phone will lose your message history? When I copy the backup to the new phone, do I have to have also transferred the sim card or is the app totally independent from it?
Thank you

maur

I red this tutorial and I thought the reason I couldn't import the backup (into Molly) so far is that I hadn't inserted the sim card into the new phone. The second requirement to restore backup in Signal (and - I suppose - in Molly) is that the new device "can receive a SMS or call to complete registration."
I also noted that Signal app on my old phone tried to make a new backup. It could mean that backups made from the old application are still valid. Maybe I could disinstall Molly from my new phone and install Molly v7.12.3-3 (that seems the version merging Signal 7.11.4). After inserting sim card in the new phone, I should be able to restore a backup.
Do you thinks that it can work? Sorry for all these questions but I'm not expert!

maur

I apologize for posting so many posts and exposing my problem in a confused way. To fix it, I try to sum up in an orderly way what I did, to see if the mistakes are still remedied and how.
Having to change my phone, I wanted to transfer Signal's account and chat, present on my old phone in version 7.11.4 on the new mobile, where I installed Molly, version 7.17.5-1. To do so I backed up and copied the backup file to the new device.
I started configuring Molly without first transferring the SIM card to the new cell phone, which I think is necessary for the validation of the registration via text or call. In the procedure I don't think I was ever asked if I wanted to import a backup, so I entered my phone number and Signal's PIN (which were communicated to the servers via the wi-fi at home). I felt I had to stop when the program asked me to enter a username. This request gave me the idea of a new user. Since then, the Signal client of the old phone is disconnected. At that point I stopped because I'm afraid it's no longer possible to import the backup of the old chat, but I also don't want to risk deleting the chat from the old mobile phone, where at least I can still read it.
I saw that Molly received a notification two days ago, which I haven’t opened yet but I think it’s the code to unlock the application. On the old Signal installation I see that there is still the possibility to register the device on the Signal network. This step could theoretically give me the chance to start all over again, but I can't rule out that this operation cancels the chat. On the old mobile phone there is also notification of a failed backup, for reasons of space.
To solve the problem, I thought of three possibilities, but they all have risks:
1) I could reconnect the old client, but I fear this operation would erase the present data.
2) I could go on with Molly's configuration on the new phone, but I fear this makes it impossible to import the backup (assuming it isn't already).
3) I could try to import backup on the old phone’s client, but I don't know if this is possible and what results it would give.
What do you recommend? Thank you

maur

I managed to import the backup to Molly after reinstalling the application again. The account setup I had done previously did not prevent the chat and, with it, the account from being fully restored.
When I first went through the setup process, I didn't see the link to proceed with the restore, because it was very small. I think it might be a good idea to redesign the first screen to give equal visibility to the two options: importing an existing account or creating a new one.
Thank you

flighty_sloth

maur Glad you got it to work and I agree about the link being small at the bottom, I also had trouble noticing it in the past.