Feature request: Import and syncing of SMS messages from the Android app

[JacekMiszczak]

This feature request started off as a bug report due to a misunderstanding and general brainfartness.

I would like for the desktop app to be able to import SMS messages from the Android app during the initial sync and then later sync outgoing and received messages just like it would Signal messages.

Additionally, it would be really nice to be able to send SMS messages using the desktop app, possibly via network connected phone with the Android app. Mobile development is basically black magic for me, so I'm not sure if that's even possible though.

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Below is the original bug report, left here for context:

After linking my devices the desktop client starts to import contacts and conversations from the mobile client, but after the process is complete I still can't see any contacts in the desktop client. I tried reloading the client and repeated the whole process a few times to no success.

Here's my desktop debug log: https://gist.github.com/831fa2ab5c422ebcf265
I'm guessing the initial 401'a are the result of me unlinking the desktop from the mobile to repeat the whole sync process (I can't find any option in the desktop client to import data again).

And here's the mobile log: https://gist.github.com/b45225e83f6ac666723e

I don't know if it's important, but I just started using the mobile app and so far I haven't sent any messages via Signal, only received some text messages.

[mawed]

The app does not show the contacts automatically. You have to search for them in the search box in the upper left corner or when getting new messages synced.

Are you able to find contacts?

[JacekMiszczak]

I tried searching both the names and numbers of several of my most frequent contacts, still nothing.

Oh, and in case it wasn't clear - I can't see any messages either, nothing from the mobile app is imported into the desktop one.

[kinghat]

when i synced with my phone i got my only two contacts to show up but i also got myself. none of the chat content was synced that took place on my phone. so, they are just showing empty conversations.

[Chais]

After initial setup all contacts that I currently have conversations with appear, but no messages are actually synced. Once I send a message to one of them all contacts but the one I sent a message to disappear, probably because they're empty. I made a debug log, but I doubt anything helpful shows up in it.

[mawed]

Old messages won't be synced for now. Only the new written and received messages appear in the already linked chrome app.

For syncing old messages there are already different feature request (#444).
But right now after syncing all conversations have to be empty.

If new written and received messages do not appear, this is a bug.

To be able to write yourself is also already known. (Sent a encrypted message to your phone and back, but Android-signal does not send this message in reality)

[JacekMiszczak]

I sent and received some (not encrypted) messages via the android app and nothing appeared on the desktop app, so it seems like a bug to me.

[mawed]

SMS are not synced (yet), only signal messages.
If you want to have this feature, change your issue to a feature request.

[kinghat]

should i start a new issue about previous phone conversations not being imported when linking desktop to phone? or is that a feature request? is this know/being worked on and i should do nothing?

[liliakai]

@JacekMiszczak

It looks like your Desktop client completed linking successfully and can send messages. It sent a request for contact and group sync to the Android client, but the latter never sent it any thing back. Maybe @moxie0 can give us a more thorough reading of the android log.

On Android, when you look under Settings > Devices do you see your desktop client listed? When you tap the pencil button on android to start a new conversation, do you see any contacts listed under "Signal Users"? edit: forgot the contact selector no longer has that label

[liliakai]

@JacekMiszczak Also, as @mawed said, the desktop client only deals in encrypted messages. SMS messages and non signal contacts are not supposed to be synced there.

[JacekMiszczak]

Oh, sorry, I actually don't have any Signal contacts as of yet and I thought the SMS integration is much stronger. I guess I got really hyped for that idea and didn't thoroughly look into what Signal actually is this point.

I'll change this issue into a feature request for importing and syncing SMS messages too.

[2-4601]

If this issue is a feature request to import and sync SMS messages from the Android app then this is a duplicate of #496.

[JacekMiszczak]

Fair enough, closing.