Signal-android: [4.17.0] Signal sporadically asks about registration lock PIN

[RiseT]

I have:

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

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Bug description

I have experienced 2 different occasions where Signal asked for the registration lock PIN that make no sense to me and might be related to each other.

First case
In the first case, in order to test the registration lock functionality, I did a clean install of Signal after enabling a registration lock PIN. Unsurprisingly, I got asked for the PIN during the registration process (if I remember this correctly, containing the string RegistrationActivity_this_phone_number_has_registration_lock_enabled_please_enter_the_registration_lock_pin ). After entering the correct PIN, the registration process completed. But then I got a second, slightly different looking view that again asked for the registration lock PIN (if I remember this correctly, containing the string RegistrationLockDialog_registration_lock_helps_protect_your_phone_number_from_unauthorized_registration_attempts ). I again entered the PIN and got to the conversation list.

Second case
Here, I got asked for the registration lock PIN several hours after completing the registration process, i. e. directly after unlocking Signal via fingerprint. The debug log below is taken directly after entering the PIN.

Device info

Device: Nexus 5X
Android version: 8.1.0
Signal version: 4.17.0

Link to debug log

https://debuglogs.org/fa09e2581c6308f3259eb69c2d8f0df02fbbd965980e1f01044ca0f5cb49615f

[FeuRenard]

This might be a feature. Signal wants to make sure you remember the PIN. You have to keep in mind that regular users (not us, Signal-Android-Github fanboys) re-register very rarely.

The frequency of how often users will be asked for the PIN might decrease with time. At least that's what I observed with WhatsApp.

[RiseT]

@FeuRenard Mh. That's possible. I don't know about this feature in WA, as I've stopped using WA some time ago.

I still think it makes no sense having to enter the PIN two times within a time period of a couple of seconds as in example 1, though. That is, entering the PIN during the registration process, and being "reminded" of that very PIN 10 seconds later. May be useful for people affected by Alzheimer's disease, though... 😃

[Dyras]

If this is a feature to make sure you remember it, it would be great to put that in the box. "Do you remember your PIN? Check if you do here:" or something