I am a user of Signal. Can anyone let me know how I get Signal to prompt for an app update? Am certain this used to happen.

I have today done a clean install of Signal by downloading the apk from the Signal website and restoring a backup file.

The Signal app version is the latest, yet Aurora Store is suggesting that an update is available, even though the suggested version is the one I already have. I know I can blacklist Signal in Aurora, but before I do I wish to ensure I will still get updates.

I have the 3 component apps, so the full Sandboxed Google Play installed, but don't login with my Google account.

Mine are automatic, so I am a bit confused here.

If you installed it today from the signal website, then you're most likely up-to-date with the version available on their website distribution channel. You can compare and confirm here: https://updates.signal.org/android/latest.json

If there is no new version available there, the app will not notify you of any updates because there are no updates available for the website build, even if there is a newer version on Github or being rolled out through Play Store.
https://community.signalusers.org/t/slow-website-apk-updates/10606/13

They update the Play Store first and the website later so that's likely why you are seeing an update on Aurora.

https://community.signalusers.org/t/apk-on-site-is-not-updated/6391/2

    When I used to be on Divest OS, I had the same issue as you. Signal installed from apk on their website did not update at some point (it used to before).

    If you can't auto-updates to work I'd suggest either:

    • Installing Signal from Play Store
    • Switching to the hardened Signal variant called Molly and installing it from Accrescent or Github.

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      • Post #5

      I updated yesterday via Obtainium to latest 6.8.3, yet it keeps stubbornly saying I am on older 6.7.6 version...

        Mara I downloaded 6.8.3 from the Signal website and installed it. The version Aurora Store says I should upgrade to is 6.8.3 too. That is my issue.

        • Mara replied to this.

            pdagenius Let's see. On Aurora the current version is "6.8.3 (119601)". On the website it's "versionCode": 119600, "versionName": "6.8.3".

            The only difference is a single digit in the versionCode. Even though the version is the same, the versionCode is higher by 1 so that's why Aurora is suggesting an update.
            Why is it different then? I think this is common when developers make different variants of their apps to differentiate between them. Note that the only difference between the signal website and the Play version is that the former checks for updates itself, which isn't allowed in Play Store.
            Anyways, I don't think it really matters. I'm sure when they update the website version you'll receive an actual update.
            If you don't want to be confused you can blacklist signal in Aurora to only receive updates through the website.

                Mara Ah, OK. Thanks, I did not spot that subtlety. That would explain it.

                  Something to keep in mind, where you install an app from, you may need to always update it from the same source. This is because of signature pinning.

                  I have some apps I installed directly from github, but they show up in droidify with notification to update when an update is available. But it doesnt mean that I can update using droidify. Attepting to do so will download the new APK but will not install (gives error). Be mindful of this.

                  If you get signal from its website, I think best way to update it is with obtanium, I think.

                  To keep track of where I got each app from I have made a note that keeps track of that so I dont forget.

                  I've heard aurora doesn't pin signatures, and hence I don't know how it will act with github/website installed apps.

                  Although I must say I havent found out "how" to update signal using obtanium yet. I can't figure out what "address" to put for its source in obtanium for it to recognize.

                    User2288 Yes, had come across the app source issue. Am also trying to use Obtainium now for the non Playstore apps.

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                        • Post #14

                        I think we are all missing a point here trying to use non Playstore apps thanks to the linkability/identifyiabilty mainly via cellular, wifi and browsing script google analytics which we know is injected in most places we visit. So unless we decide to create a brand new identity from scratch and decide to not step twice in the same river, we are ultimately zucked.

                        treequell I'll suggest installing Molly from Accrescent IMHO (if you don't have Play Store), it's more secure and you don't have to TOFU because apps are verified before installation. It's a bit out of scope though.

                        pdagenius
                        If you have downloaded Signal from the website (meaning the apk) I'll suggest to you to let Signal updating itself when there's an update available. If you installed it from Aurora, just use update Signal via Aurora then.

                              samsepi0l I'll suggest installing Molly from Accrescent IMHO (if you don't have Play Store), it's more secure and you don't have to TOFU because apps are verified before installation. It's a bit out of scope though.

                              Do you have a list of Accrescent apps available? I am planning into migrating from F-Droid to it.

                                  Signal always auto updates and notifies me appropriately, however I use it in a non Google Play Profile granting it Battery Optimisation Exception to enable the websocket connection to be maintained for push.

                                  If you are using it from the website while using sandboxed Play Services it may conflict as Signal may not push the notification to self update via FCM believing any app using FCM would be updated appropriately via the Play Store.

                                    MetropleX That's an interesting thought. Thank you. Will have to wait for the next update and see what happens.

                                      For what it's worth Signal stopped prompting me to update about a month? ago. Installed from their website as an apk. Used to self update like every week....

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                                      • Post #20

                                      bayesian

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                                      Molly

                                      It's still in alpha, a limited list of devs are allowed to publish their apps for now.

                                        Nuttso

                                        BTW, in Molly's settings, you can go into the settings (Vertical 3 dots > Settings > Help > Toggle the "Auto-update Molly" switch off and then on) to "manually" trigger a Molly update, if you know that there's a released update but the app hasn't checked yet.

                                        IIRC, the Signal website APK doesn't have options/menus to trigger any form of update. You basically pray that the update will come when the website APK automatically checks for updates on its own.

                                          Just one thing to note, the Signal website apk version only fetches updates while on wifi. If you are on mobile data all the time it will not auto-update.

                                            focused_panini I don't understand that decision myself.

                                            Not everyone around the globe has access to unlimited or large cap mobile data plans. If Signal implement an auto update feature that could eat into someones data or cause large charges it would/could be bad press and reduce adoption.

                                                MetropleX I get that so a certain point, but there is already an option in the app to auto-download media over mobile broadband. Using the app update solely as the reason for not allowing it doesn't hold it's weight.

                                                Having the option, but set to default would be safe. If a user chooses to enable it various warnings of data use could be presented. Even just have it two-stage; one to alert of an update, and the second to download and install.
                                                Signal is the only app that appears to deny updates this way.

                                                Loving the username by the way - Transformers fan?

                                                    focused_panini Yeah I get you seems like the lazy option but when you see what's been going on regards the Signal Desktop app it doesn't surprise me.

                                                    focused_panini Loving the username by the way - Transformers fan?

                                                    Certainly am G1 all the way!

                                                        MetropleX

                                                        It seems that Signal these days has been focused a lot on a making sure that users don't get charged from carriers with limited data or text messaging.
                                                        They don't allow updates over mobile, and they will no longer be allowing SMS.
                                                        It really sucks for those of us who don't have that concern.

                                                            Graphite
                                                            I’m not trying to be argumentative, but I suspect that it sucks even more for those who do have that concern.

                                                                Blastoidea

                                                                I get it. I just wish disclaimers and configurable options were the default response, instead of complete removal of features. I'm not sure what Moxie would have done if still in charge. It's okay to cater to the users with the most risk... but they shouldn't dismiss others. Just put up an option that makes it clear in bold text, "you may be charged by your carrier for data usage". They know how to nag the user for donations and verifying your PIN.

                                                                  Signal still allows SMS.
                                                                  Does Molly allow SMS at this time?
                                                                  Will it follow Signal and stop allowing SMS in the near future?
                                                                  thanks

                                                                    zehyani Signal still allows SMS.

                                                                    They have started pushing notifications within the app about Signal removing SMS so imagine the timescale is short for this to continue.

                                                                        To update from my initial post, I received an update to Signal this morning via notification from the Signal app.

                                                                        This thread may be be updated to Solved from my point of view.

                                                                        Thanks all who contributed.

                                                                        MetropleX

                                                                        Since we won't be able to have encrypted backups of SMS using Signal anymore, is there a preferred method to backup/archive SMS messages in an encrypted way? 3rd app?

                                                                            Graphite not that I am immediately aware of sadly, I am looking into it myself.

                                                                              If Signal is now your default messaging app, will your SMS traffic automatically start arriving on Google’s messaging app when Signal pulls the plug on it?

                                                                                Blastoidea Googles? GrapheneOS has a default SMS messaging app but this is AOSP not Google Messenger.

                                                                                So long as Signal updates to remove itself from the default SMS app list, then no you may manually be required to change it, if it does then it will indeed default back to Messenger which comes with GrapheneOS.