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this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
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Privacy
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Pardon my french, but you're screwed.
Signal is centralized, contains binary blobs from Google and requires Play Services. It's just wrong on many levels.
Matrix is better but with it's own controversies. I have accepted that XMPP could be a better choice than any other, provided people get the guidance needed to chose the right client for them.
Wrong. Signal does not require play services. You can build the apk yourself from the source code, or you can download the prebuilt apk directly from Signal here: https://signal.org/android/apk/
This apk is self-updating and does not require Google Play services to update nor message. If it detects Google Play Services (or OpenGApps/microG), Signal will register you as an Firebase Cloud Messaging user for push notifications. If you do not have those services installed it will use WebSocket connection to the Signal servers instead.
I tried it but ultimately went back to Signal via microG, as the push notifications are half the value of instant messaging - WebSocket was unreliable. I tested about 3 years ago though, so they may have improved their implementation.
Signal is my only instant messenger and I can happily report no issues these days with notifications, that said, I never really noticed them previously and have been using for >3 years.
Occasionally we'll use Signal whilst on a live call, someone will tell us they messaged on Signal and I'll get the notification immediately - i.e. I knew when it was sent and received.
This is working smoothly on my grapheneos phone and the desktop client across Linux and Windows.
That's great to hear, I might give it another try. Thanks
So does that mean it will use blobs only if a person has Google Play? Honestly, I don't really understand the definition of blobs. Tracker code?
In my (limited) understanding of it 'blobs' are encrypted blocks of data that are distributed with apps in their APK. The app code internally will then have references to the blobs to indicate start and end locations in the blobs and usually a function that reference serves.
That means less for closed source apps, as they could contain any obfuscated code already - but open source advocates are very skeptical of arbitrary blobs, as they can be used to distribute anything - trackers or malicious code for instance. Their primary function in the Google App store seems to be to distribute signing certificates, encrypted keys and checksums that Google uses to verify the build version and that app is from the Play Store (Google calls this 'frosting' the app, going with their Android dessert theme).
So I have not checked, but I imagine the Signal direct-download APK would not have blobs as it's not been signed/'frosted' by Google.
See brief discussion below from IzzyOnDroid devs for additional terms if you're curious to research further.
https://gitlab.com/IzzyOnDroid/repo/-/issues/491
I think signal is very useful. Private messages are only useful when other people use it and it's difficult really difficult to entice people to switch if it's any less convenient than what they were already using.
With signal you can just tell your friend or relative that its like WhatsApp but better.
Signal does not necessarily use google play services. It only does so if available. Reinstall may be required.