Signal-android: "Your signal version is outdated"

[char32]

I have:

• [x] searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• [x] read https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/wiki/Submitting-useful-bug-reports

---

Bug description

Starting from today the Signal expiration banner is shown which tells me that signal will expire in 9 days, starting form today.
This is due to the lack of updates in the PlayStore.

Steps to reproduce

• start Signal
  -> blue banner is displayed at the top

Actual result: blue banner is displayed at the top
Expected result: Signal should be updated at the playstore, and shouldn't show the message if the most current version is used

Device info

Device: HTC One M8
Android version: 6.0
Signal version: 3.16.0

[s0r00t]

Can confirm this, Nexus 5 on latest CM13 and Play Store Signal.

[real-or-random]

Same here (in beta channel). Samsung Galaxy S4, CM.

[dns2utf8]

Same on FairPhone 2, Android 5.1

[CaviaPorcellus]

Same for me, stock Android on a Nexus 5.

[thirtythreeforty]

Would it be better for the client to ask the server every so often if its build number is still considered "fresh"? This would allow the server to force people to update known-vulnerable builds (which is what I believe this reminder was originally for), while still allowing builds older than the 90 day window to remain "fresh" if no updates have been published, as is the case now.

[Maltimore]

Same here, Moto G3, Android 6

[kofalt]

Because I was curious: the trigger appears to be in OutdatedBuildReminder, which references a util method that tracks 90 days from the build timestamp. In addition to displaying the notification, it appears that it might not send messages after expiry.

As it currently stands, it seems that TextSecure must be updated every few months.

[slpopejoy]

Me too, Samsung Galaxy S7.

It might be nice to confirm @kofalt's comment above, will my app really stop working in 9 days? Scary.

[Trolldemorted]

@slpopejoy if it does, you can either build it yourself or install an apk that was built more recently.

[slpopejoy]

@Trolldemorted thanks, but will that work for the same version? 3.16.0 is the latest I could find an apk for, and dated May 24.

There probably needs to be a notice on the support site or something with user-friendly workarounds provided if this is not resolved soon, no?

[Trolldemorted]

@slpopejoy i think so, as signal compares the build timestamp. My self-built signal is not complaining, i know this problem only because of this issue and this thread in the unofficial forum.

[roadkillazpartybird]

Same issue on Nexus 6 Android 6.0. I wonder what happens when the timer runs out...

[jnathan]

Looks like the UI change went in with #4322. There's obviously a little time, but with #5561 having been rejected, there may be some users with some serious rage if this isn't dealt with.

[Dyras]

@roadkillazpartybird If it runs out the app will essentially stop working. However, I'm guessing @moxie0 will respond in time with a new update to fix this issue. If he doesn't, well.... I have a feeling WhatsApp will have a spike of signups in 10 days.

He's probably either 1. Out on his boat 2. Helping Google fix Allo for its release at the end of the summer.

[ghost]

Good job, @moxie0! This really makes Signal easy to use!

[ferranti]

Wow, they're deprecating signal on Android 6 too? I'm on 4.2.2 so I get my OS not being supported but 6? Really?

On August 8, 2016 4:52:25 PM MDT, Dyras [email protected] wrote:

@roadkillazpartybird If it runs out the app will essentially stop
working. However, I'm guessing @moxie0 will respond in time with a new
update to fix this issue. If he doesn't, well.... I have a feeling
WhatsApp will have a spike of signups in 10 days.

He's probably either 1. Out on his boat 2. Helping Google fix Allo for
its release at the end of the summer.

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[Dyras]

@ferranti Uh... Source for that statement? They're not intentionally deprecating anything, he's probably busy with something else. Or he's on summer vacation.

[ferranti]

Well the play store doesn't have an update available so I assumed my OS wasn't gonna be supported. So does that mean there will be an update eventually? If they're on vacation or busy it seems they should not have automated this system.

On August 8, 2016 4:56:48 PM MDT, Dyras [email protected] wrote:

@ferranti Uh... Source for that statement? They're not intentionally
deprecating anything, he's probably busy with something else. Or he's
on summer vacation.

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[Dyras]

@ferranti This system was put into place to prevent people from using a 3 year old build, causing all kinds of compatibility problems. I don't think they ever intended for this to happen. Remember that since Jake McGinty left, Moxie has been running the development all by himself. On top of that he has been helping WhatsApp and Google Allo, since his end game goal isn't for Signal to conquer the universe, but instead it's to make encryption simple.
Moxie has made plenty of strange decisions over the years, but he's only human. Personally I think he should put more effort into making Signal more grandma-friendly with updated emojis, for example. But hey, it's his project and the closest thing to a friendship I have with him is when he responds to my issues. So yeah, let's just wait for an official response, shall we?

We will be getting an update, just wait. He's not abandoning the whole project just like that, I'll bet my stones on it.

[im-grey]

I and several friends all have this bug as well.

I am using Android 5.1.1 on a LG-H345.

[bmatsunaga]

Message also present on Nexus 6p, 6.0.1.

[ferranti]

I didn't know we lost a developer. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm no iOS dev but I could probably help with the android side of the world. Would have to bone up on my Java some more. Been a while since I coded in Java.

On August 8, 2016 5:06:05 PM MDT, Dyras [email protected] wrote:

@ferranti This system was put into place to prevent people from using a
3 year old build, causing all kinds of compatibility problems. I don't
think they ever intended for this to happen. Remember that since Jake
McGinty left, Moxie has been running the development all by himself. On
top of that he has been helping WhatsApp and Google Allo, since his end
game goal isn't for Signal to conquer the universe, but instead it's to
make encryption simple.
Moxie has made plenty of strange decisions over the years, but he's
only human. Personally I think he should put more effort into making
Signal more grandma-friendly with updated emojis, for example. But hey,
it's his project and the closest thing to a friendship I have with him
is when he responds to my issues. So yeah, let's just wait for an
official response, shall we?

We will be getting an update, just wait. He's not abandoning the whole
project just like that, I'll bet my stones on it.

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You are receiving this because you were mentioned.
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub:
https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/issues/5609#issuecomment-238404579

Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

[fat-tire]

I see 48 pull requests sitting there. Doesn't give much incentive to want to contribute if existing contributions aren't processed... hopefully though someone can come in to assist @moxie0 if he's short on time/resources.

[Dyras]

@ferranti @fat-tire Yeah, I wish more people worked on this project too. The problem, like always, is money. Having someone work 8 hours a day on an app isn't free. So if helping with the coding is out of the question, I'd suggest donating. https://freedom.press/bundle/encryption-tools-journalists

[Trolldemorted]

@Dyras There would be more people working on this project, if the pull requests would actually be declined or accepted, and not left uncommented for half a year.

OWS is trying to hire developers, so i guess money is not the primary problem but capable (or cheap) applicants are.

[im-grey]

What happens in 9 days? All my non-technical friends are spooked by this.

[johanw666]

In 9 days the official version of the app becomes unusable, even for sms.

[jeetpei]

Same for me Nexus 6P

[rusvnc]

I am sure Moxie is also seeing this on his own phone and it will be fixed soon. I don't really understand the point of drive-by sniping at OWS developers because of this.

[ardrigh]

Have been using TextSecure for a long time before Signal, and it's the first time I have seen this message.

It would be less of a concern to non-technical users if the standard SMS function still worked after expiry, but Signal disables this also.

Hopefully the Google Play Store won't take long to push through a new build when it's ready

[im-grey]

In 9 days the official version of the app becomes unusable, even for sms.

Oh no. So, do we have to use something else now?

[pop]

I'm also getting this message.

(_Places two cents on table_)
I think we would all appreciate some acknowledgement of the issue; something on the Google Play page for Signal that said something like:

_"We are working on the fixing the issue relate to Signal saying Your Version of Signal is outdated by doing X and Y. We are apologize for any confusion. You do not need to take action at this time."_

I'm not a writer, but something like that would really help.
Love the app, appreciate everything your team does. Keep it up.

[aliceriot]

looks like Moxie is on it: https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/commit/643da569ec77a1b88c54cd81d6f5b06c347ee0fb

[moxie0]

Making its way through the play store now

[kofalt]

Any thoughts for next time? Longer grace period, automatic dev reminder?