[deleted] Different people have different needs. We shouldn't disparage someone because they need to use apps that require Play Services.

If anything, using Play Services on GrapheneOS via Sandboxed Google Play is the most secure way to do so. Hell, you can even put them in their own profile if you want.

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Now why on Earth would I want to give Google (and others) just another way to snoop on me? However much you think you are in charge of the permissions... We try to squeeze our whole life on a single device, isolate things in different profiles just to use the same browser that uniquely indentifies us while those who know that are laughing that they outsmarted us again? I am not trying to disparage anybody, just make them think about what they do. My middle name is reasonable doubt. Our actions have so many different characteristics by which they can be uniquely identified, that there will be always a channel that leaks some information. You can't expect to operate in the way you usually do without losing your stealth. Once again, convenience takes over necessity and wins.

    [deleted] It's not about "thinking" you're in charge of the permissions. Play Services on GrapheneOS have the exact same privileges as all other apps you install. There's nothing unique about them. If you install any app and play services, they can do the exact same things, and they don't get a say in that. They're installed in the same context as all other apps, and the compatibility layer on GrapheneOS just teaches them to deal with that and function within those confines. You don't have to trust Play Services for that; it's what it is.

    Beyond that, everybody needs to consider their own threat model. GrapheneOS doesn't only conform to one specific threat model. Your needs are not everybody's needs. Some people require Play Services to be able to get their work done. Would you rather they do this on an insecure device or a secure one in which Play Services doesn't have extensive privileges like it does on the Stock OS?

    I'm not telling you to use Play Services yourself, but discouraging someone who needs them from doing so and telling them that using a different device for them in which they're the boss via privileged access can be harmful advice.

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    My friend, I never suggested I want people do things the way I do. And yes, to get the work done we need tools. So I apologize if I made such impression. Yet, I have my doubts that I will keep to myself.

    [deleted] I definitely did it correctly and yes I reinstalled it. I'm now out of attempts of verifying my phone number I'll try it tomorrow again and if it won't work I'll do a factory reset.

    Update: I made a factory reset yesterday and installed the playservices + playstore from the Gos App store. Ive temporary granted all permissions to the playservices and installed Signal. After registrating my number the app still doesn't detect the play services.

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      Overnight2160 I made a factory reset yesterday and installed the playservices + playstore from the Gos App store

      In past sandboxed Google services consisted of three components:
      Play store
      Play services
      Google framework

      I'm not aware of any change. If services and framework are still separate, read on. If they are joined dismiss the following text.
      Do you have all these components installed? Not just services and Play store. I repeat again - because based on your comments you haven't t followed GOS guide - All these apps have to be installed prior to Signal installation, otherwise it won't work properly (should you require Signal from Google play and not just apk from Signal.org).

        [deleted] I installed them using the official GOS app store. There's no way I installed them wrong because other apps work fine with play services

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          Overnight2160

          The point I was trying to make was:
          Did you install all three components or just Play store and Play services? You explicitly mentioned only those two, therefore - I am asking again - do you have all 3 components installed, even Framework?

            [deleted] all three components from the GOS store. you can click "install playservices" and it will install all 3 components.

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              Overnight2160
              Perfect.
              Now when you uninstall Signal and install again (not install over existing installation), what happens when you start Signal?

              And most importantly:
              What permissions (all) do your Play services have? Because for registration it was necessary to allow one time SMS access...
              Also what permissions (all) does Signal have?

                [deleted] I granted the SMS permission beforehand several times. Even all other avaible permissions too. I installed playservices and all its components first and then Signal. I even made a factory reset. I only have 1-2 attempts per day to test if it works because of the sms verification but I'll test it again now.

                  • [deleted]

                  Overnight2160
                  OK, Good luck.
                  Make sure that all apps involved have all the necessary permissions (not only those that You think they should have, but all the necessary permissions. That is crucial for it to work).

                  • [deleted]

                  Overnight2160
                  Again:
                  And most importantly:
                  What permissions (all) do your Play services have? Because for registration it was necessary to allow one time SMS access...
                  Also what permissions (all) does Signal have?

                    [deleted] I made multiple attempts with the playservices having every avaible permission inclusing SMS access. Ive granted Signal every permission it needs to work correctly.

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                      Overnight2160
                      Sorry, that doesn't sound reassuring at all. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that some of the components doesn't have an internet access or even that you tried wrong phone number.

                      Post screenshots of your granted permissions to Play services and Signal. Also to get a SMS notification, do you use stock Messages?

                      As other user already suggested one way (and the easiest at the moment) to easily check where is the issue would be to create a new user profile, leave everything as it is and install the three Google components and afterwards the Signal app and test it there.

                      I never tríed a wrong number, the amount of times per day you can verify your number ony signal is limited.
                      All components have had internet access since I have granted it by installation.
                      I use the Stock SMS app yes, and I already made an attempt on a fresh install after a factory reset. But if I have a verification attempt left for today I'll try it again post screenshots otherwise tomorrow.

                      • [deleted]

                      Thank you. I apologize that I doubt you.
                      If you installed Google components first, and initiated Signal installation afterwards, than I get your frustration. One last question do you use stable release of Play services or beta?

                      Maybe bug report would be helpful for the GOS developers...

                      In the meantime - if anyone wouldn't come up with anything better - I would suggest trying - but I do not if that would work - to install apk from signal.org/android/apk and when an update would be available to try install it from Play store. You would get notifications either way.

                      The second thing to try: if you have a spare phone, install and register Signal there. Create a back up. Uninstall Signal from GOS and install it again. Then initiate backup.