Phone app recommendation

gaffka

I've been using GOS for many months now and it brings me great joy to no longer be monitored by big tech, but I'm struggling greatly with the primary purpose of my device which is the actual phone.

I've spent a couple months each with both the GOS app and the Fossify phone app, and neither are getting the job done. I use my phone for work in a support capacity and require the ability to merge calls reliably, which seems to be a hurdle neither app can traverse. Beyond that basic need, the list is long of other issues with both apps that are an endless source of frustration. Here are some of the issues I've been having with the GOS app.

You can't edit a contact from the Recents tab.
You can't edit a contact from a search result in Contacts. (must browse to the contact)
Favorites thumbs are ginormous. Would like a simple "List" option to fit more without scrolling. (or smaller thumbs)
Would like a "Confirm" option when making a call. (made so many erroneous calls while trying to edit a contact from search results or recent call list)
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/10241-call-merge-doesnt-work
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/20812-stock-phone-app-doesnt-show-incoming-call-when-im-on-phone

I am definitely not trying to bash the app, but trying to show the pain points I have daily with the app. I don't feel like anything in the list is unreasonable. I feel like the namesake app for the device should get a bit more love because that is still the primary function of the device.

If anyone can recommend a more polished app in the meantime, I'd love to give it a try.

FaberCastell

gaffka so many erroneous calls while trying to edit a contact from search results

Second this tbh... Seems like you can only edit or copy a contact when you have scrolled through the contact list to find it... If you find it by searching it results in a call to them

userofgos

gaffka You can't edit a contact from the Recents tab.
You can't edit a contact from a search result in Contacts. (must browse to the contact)
Favorites thumbs are ginormous. Would like a simple "List" option to fit more without scrolling. (or smaller thumbs)
Would like a "Confirm" option when making a call. (made so many erroneous calls while trying to edit a contact from search results or recent call list)

I currently use Right Phone by Goodwy with all of these features working (tested them just now). You have to make a few adjustments in the settings to get it to work this way, but I love the fluidity. It also looks really clean and polished.

Github: [https://github.com/Goodwy/Dialer]

He also has developed a Right Contacts app, Right Messages, Right files, and Right Gallery that all mimick the look of iOS which looks quite slick.

As for call the other features like call merging, and notifying if another call is received will on a current call, I have not tested yet.

Hope this helps,
userofgos

WilliamJackson

Privacy wins are awesome; hope call features improve quickly!

andrej567

Different phone app.. i tried many (5+) none of them I liked.. I did not try google phone.

ignatius

The Android app ecosystem is in general far behind iOS with very few exceptions IMO.

NetRunner88

ignatius

AOSP ≠ Google Apps

Google didnt updated AOSP base app since ages.
They have done that to push their own apps, Google Phone, Google Message, Gmail ...

userofgos

ignatius agreed, especially apps that still haven't adopted the Material 3 UX design such as the AOSP apps.

natoal

NetRunner88

So AOSP apps are not secure then?

GrouchyGrape

@ignatius I've been using android and iOS side by side for about a year now. I was initially fully expecting to find a better app experience on the iPhone. That hasn't been close to the case. I would say they (Android and iOS) equally trade blows in the app ecosystem realm. I even tried switching full time iPhone but only lasted about a week and one of the reasons was the disappointing app experience.

@gaffka my recommendation (although many straight refuse this) is to carry a second phone purely for work. I don't do anything on my work phone (iPhone) except for work related items. Sure, I would rather only have one phone but this keeps everything separate and the calling experience on the iPhone is superior.

gaffka

GrouchyGrape my recommendation (although many straight refuse this) is to carry a second phone purely for work

I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand, but it does seem pretty extreme. It's something I might have to consider if there is no urgency to fix these issues, or I can't find a better app.

I would think these basic phone functions would not only be appreciated by anyone using the phone app, but actually expected. Call merging and answering incoming calls while on a call should be a priority to have working properly. The rest of the issues I brought up are frustrating and inconvenient, but don't break the core functionality of the phone.

Thanks for the suggestion.

ignatius

GrouchyGrape Android definitely allows you to do much cooler things with your apps. Apps like syncthing could never work on iOS due to arbitrary limitations. Even the file manager on iOS is hardly useful. On Android I can transfer thousands of pictures in minutes, while on iOS it will take a few hours (whether you have a mac or icloud or not).

ignatius

natoal The AOSP apps we have on Graphene are forks of the originals. You can take a look at the commit histories to see what has been changed.

natoal

userofgos

Speaking of contacts, which directory are they stored in?

gaffka

userofgos I'll have a look. Thanks!

userofgos

natoal I don't believe they are stored in a directory viewable in the files app. I believe its a system app that stores it. You can search in System Settings > Apps > All Apps > ... > Show system > search Contacts

userofgos

userofgos the system "app" is called Contacts Storage

GrouchyGrape

gaffka I suspect that most, myself included, don't need anything in their personal phone calls other than the very basics. Therefore, it's not much of a priority compared to other security features, Android 16 porting, etc.

userofgos

gaffka you're welcome!

ignatius

userofgos Markor and Syncthing-Android come to mind here. Amazingly performant and featureful apps, but they remind you of 2014 Android. Generally on iOS, whatever app you install looks like it belongs on your system.

natoal

ignatius

Well the only thing good on iOS is privacy and it still has controversies like the Siri spying incident. iPhones are practically toys compared to Android in terms of functionality