Signal-android: Old APK version on Signal website (direct download)

Created on 21 May 2018 · 6Comments · Source: signalapp/Signal-Android

The APK version on the Signal website for direct download (https://signal.org/android/apk/) which I use because I do not have (and like) Google Play is behind:

Signal APK direct download: version 4.18.3
Signal Google Play: 4.19.3

Could you please update the APK version on the Signal website?

Source

5a54a

👍3

Most helpful comment

Moxie said it will always be the last to geht the update.

But it shouldn't be lagging this much; 4.19.3 was released 25 days ago. And looking at the recent commits in the repository we're days away from 4.20.1.

What if there are critical security issues fixed, like recently with Signal Desktop? We cannot wait almost a month for those to arrive. Plus uploading a new APK build to the website is a basic task that can be easily automated. So I don't see what the reason for a 20+ day holdup is.

Jos512 on 22 May 2018

👍2

All 6 comments

Moxie said it will always be the last to geht the update.

sigenc on 21 May 2018

Moxie said it will always be the last to geht the update.

But it shouldn't be lagging this much; 4.19.3 was released 25 days ago. And looking at the recent commits in the repository we're days away from 4.20.1.

Jos512 on 22 May 2018

👍2

I don't understand it either. I think if the updates would be security relevant. They would update it immidiatly

sigenc on 22 May 2018

👍1

Plus uploading a new APK build to the website is a basic task that can be easily automated. So I don't see what the reason for a 20+ day holdup is.

Signal has a small developers team and the domain fronting issues must have taken a lot of time to solve. So, very likely, they have prioritized these issues (and maybe just forgotten to update the apk on the website). Hope they will quickly update the apk on the website when they have more time available.

5a54a on 22 May 2018

Signal has a small developers team and the domain fronting issues must have taken a lot of time to solve. So, very likely, they have prioritized these issues (and maybe just forgotten to update the apk on the website). Hope they will quickly update the apk on the website when they have more time available.

I'm with you on that and am very empathic for what the small Signal team has to do. :slightly_smiling_face: But updating the APK file seems to be one of those tasks that aren't time consuming, but still have to be done.

I don't have a problem when most issues, pull requests, or feature requests aren't addressed within multiple weeks. Because as you said, it's a small team with a huge workload. And I think we can all agree on that not all that stuff is super important.

But pushing out new updates is quite critical, I think. Especially when the update is already available for other users without error. New updates should definitely not be postponed until someone remembers it or until there's free time to do so.

I think we mostly agree with each other here. :slightly_smiling_face: But I just wanted to clarify my earlier thoughts, because your comment made me think that I was too harsh or negative. That wasn't my intention and I'm quite grateful and positive towards the Signal team.

Jos512 on 22 May 2018

Software doesn't really work like that anymore. There are "releases" that happen progressively over time rather than all-at-once, and the website is usually the last place to be updated.