I do not wish to use Google's Messages anymore. I've come across QKSMS, but I feel like I'm losing some features with their premium service. I've tried looking for the default AOSP app, but they're not available anywhere on GitHub, which makes it really hard to update periodically via Obtanium. I'd love to see apps similar to "Material Files" by zhanghai - which is almost similar to the AOSP File manager. I was also considering Signal, but I don't appreciate the fact that I'm supposed to provide a phone number.

Ps. I'd also appreciate contacts and dialer alternatives.

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[–] Contort3860@links.hackliberty.org 25 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Try Simple Mobile Tools. I've had mixed experiences with them. Some were great and others were a little too simple for my use cases. But I've mostly heard good things.

ETA: They're available on F-droid and can be updated with Obtainium.

[–] danielquinn@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I quite like Simple SMS messenger. It does what it says on the tin.

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

And open source...

[–] danielquinn@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's licensed under the GPL.

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 years ago

Yes, yes it is :)

[–] FuckyWucky@hexbear.net 9 points 2 years ago

Simple SMS Messenger, Simple Contacts Pro, Simple Dialer

all on fdroid

[–] lemmyvore@feddit.nl 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

A word of warning about replacing the default SMS app, some manufacturers tie the emergency alerts functionality to it, and if you select another app as the default (as Android insists you do for some reason) it's possible you won't get emergency alerts anymore.

[–] ds12@beehaw.org 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

QKSMS is on Fdroid, and you can download the APKs on their GitHub as well.

What sort of features that you think you'll be missing?

[–] inson1@lemm.ee -1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

QKSM is dead

[–] Fjor@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

although sadly true, it still works quite reliably for me at least.

[–] codenul@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

Project /e/OS (Custom Android Rom) maintains their own version built into the Rom. Funny how I didnt know this and when I downloaded QKSMS just now, I was like "This looks oddly familiar"

https://community.e.foundation/t/is-qksms-still-used-in-e-os/52655

[–] inasaba@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 years ago

What is broken that it needs to be updated to fix? I use it every day and it works fine.

[–] psychothumbs@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

I'll forever be in mourning that Signal shot themselves in the foot and stopped functioning as an SMS app replacement

[–] kronarbob@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

QKsms premium features are free if downloaded from f-droid.

I use "simple dialer" and "simple contacts". "Simple" applications usually work well, and their pro versions are available for free on f-droid.

[–] Fuck_u_spez_@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago

Signal is dropping SMS support so it wouldn't do you any good regardless.

[–] boblemmy@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I use Silence.

[–] vic@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Last update in 2019..

[–] boblemmy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yes, it hasn't been updated for a long time, I don't understand why, but it can encrypt messages, which is my favorite feature, so I use it all the time.

[–] Lemongrab@lemmy.one 5 points 2 years ago

If all you want is encrypted SMS, switch to Partisan SMS (active fork of QKSMS). A 5 year out of date app is terribly insecure. Use Obtanium for automatic updates from the Github repo.

[–] neosheo@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 2 years ago

I use qksms from fdroid. I did not even realize they have premium features. Its a great app

[–] snek_boi@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago

Frame challenge: to avoid mass surveillance, a good FLOSS E2EE app ✌️😎