Why not update Messaging?

0xC4aE1e5

Messaging is based on the version from Android 7. It's so old that even Android shows a message that it's optimized for an old version of Android. Also, while at it, why not update the other apps too?

Yes, I do know they discontinued the Dialer and Messaging apps but why not use the most possible up-to-date version, or use the apps from the LineageOS sources as a base?

[deleted]

As you know, GrapheneOS is based on AOSP. GrapheneOS includes apps that are included as part of AOSP. These AOSP apps aren’t maintained by the AOSP project as well as, really, anyone would like.

For clarity:

Included AOSP apps are: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Files, Gallery, Messaging, Phone, and Settings.

Included GrapheneOS developed/maintained apps are: Apps (for updating GrapheneOS maintainted apps), Auditor, Camera, PDF Viewer, and Vanadium

The GrapheneOS project covers the project’s approach to apps here: https://grapheneos.org/faq#bundled-apps

My approach to included apps I don’t wish to use is to disable them. Disabled apps aren’t displayed in the app drawer, etc. and can be re-enabled in ‘Settings’. (This may not be true for the AOSP apps?)

Users can use any app from either Google Play Store or alternative “app stores”.

Messaging alternatives that are sometimes mentioned here are: Google Messages (often for RCS support), Simple Mobile Tools’ “Simple SMS Messenger”, or QKSMS (last release was Feb 2021)

I’m not sure it’s correct to assume Lineage apps are higher quality than the vanilla AOSP Messaging app – LineageOS Messaging is also based on AOSP’s.

This part is from memory- iirc nearly a decade ago when GrapheneOS project was getting started (It was Copperhead then) CyanogenMod, the progenitor of LineageOS, was considered for the base, but quickly rejected as a poor choice for a security focused OS. At that time CyanogenMod was notoriously lax e.g. about consciously leaving SELinux in permissive mode… I don’t know the state or security posture of that project now.

I hope some of this was useful or informative. Happy computing :)

[deleted]

[deleted] These AOSP apps aren’t maintained by the AOSP project as well as, really, anyone would like.

Except the Files and the Settings app.

[deleted] I’m not sure it’s correct to assume Lineage apps are higher quality than the vanilla AOSP Messaging app

LineageOS developers do make them better some way or the other

router99

I would love to use QKSMS but the lack of development recently, as well as people reporting issues on their Github page, keep me from trying it. Simple SMS sounds like the one I will install. I am very hesitant about using Google Messages due to privacy concerns of course. In fact, I'm surprised just how often I see people using Google Drive, of all things, on this forum during my forum searches.

I was surprised to see how similar the stock SMS app looked to the one on my 6 1/2 year old phone, and was reading about it being sluggish even on current devices. I have not yet inserted my SIM card into my GOS Pixel device because I have been carefully preparing for the transition in advance.

AlanZ

Well, just my own two cents, but I find the usual "These are AOSP apps, take it up with them" disingenuous and annoying. You chose to include them, in some cases you have significantly improved upon them, but in other (Messaging) you just shrug them off. We can't uninstall them, they are not maintained, they throw the super obnoxious "This app was built for an older version of Android" message and unbelievably the "Messaging" app doesn't even have a working "Enter" key!? Also, dark theme is only partly implemented - notifications are still light themed. I've already vented about the terrible Calculator app, so I won't do it again.
On the bright side you have committed to building a brand new Gallery app, which is awesome. I just wish there was less of the "This is an AOSP app, not our problem. It is in your OS!

GrouchyGrape

My vote is for the developers to continue to keep going the way they have been. The stock apps provide just enough functionality and reliability for me that I have zero complaints. If they were to "improve" them, they'd be diverting resources from things that actually matter. If they were to remove them, then that's just one more app I'd need to install.

I don't run GOS because I'm looking for a customizable, tailored for me, modern ui, etc experience. I use it for the security and privacy benefits.

Just my opinion