• Off TopicSolved

  • Work around to get notifications for Proton Mail (via Tuta). Confirmed working.

So I tried an idea posted by @delitako on this thread: (https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/9968-why-tf-does-proton-mail-need-google-play-services-to-show-notifications/2)

"I have a crazy idea, but I've never tried it. Proton Mail has an option of sending a notification email to another email address whenever you receive an email. I assume it won't send full email contents but rather just limited metadata (PGP-encrypted emails still expose the subject, sender, and recipients anyway), so it shouldn't leak much. Then, if you can find a client that supports notifications for this email, then you can just check protonmail whenever you receive an email there. Most clients that don't use google play services would rely on polling or background connections though."

And it worked. I feel I might keep this as a workflow until/if ever Proton decide to not use Firebase for notifications. Although I assume there are security gaps, happy for people to elaborate share thoughts.

I think the app You Have Mail (F-droid) does something similar. It checks your proton mail at a given interval and sends a notification if you have new mails.

    Michiel Ah Interesting, thank you, I'll check it out. Any thoughts of the privacy/security implication of using You Have Mail vs the above Tuta workflow?

      Y'all be doing too much. Just use Tuta and call it a day. It's got contacts syncing which I've been waiting for Proton to implement. And don't get me started with their Calendar.

      Proton promised to make their own notification without relying on Play Services after rewriting the Mail app, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

        job_shredder69 for real. Proton has some decent services, but the promises they make, don’t hold your breath waiting on them. If Tuta develops their own storage service, Protons gonna have to step it up to compete.