Signal-desktop: Failure to join v2 group from desktop client

[dkg]

- [X] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates

Bug Description

I'm using a Signal Desktop installation. I get an invitation to a v2 group. when i try to accept the invite, i get an error message (sorry, i either clicked through by accident or it disappeared, i was unable to capture it).

Then when i try to send a message to the group, i see "You are no longer a member of the group" (see screenshot)

other members of the group cannot invite me to the group again, because they think i'm already invited. so i'm kind of stuck.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Use signal desktop
2. have a friend invite you to a v2 group
3. try to accept the invitation

Actual Result:

I am unable to participate in a v2 group.

Expected Result:

i should be able to participate in the group.

Screenshots

Platform Info

Signal Version: 1.37.1

Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux unstable

Linked Device Version: no linked device

Link to Debug Log

https://debuglogs.org/8d202cdae9f681731bb69bfade00e77c0fb147f4c94238ce0e7709ba94c50083

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

Seems that you're using Desktop standalone? It doesn't create a proper profile on account create like the mobile apps do, so you're not going to be able to join GroupV2 groups. You need a profileKey, and then a profileKeyCredential from the server, to join a GroupV2 group:

ERROR 2020-10-19T23:18:11.395Z modifyGroupV2/promotePendingMember/groupv2([REDACTED]7Xw=): Error updating: Error: promotePendingMember/groupv2([REDACTED]7Xw=): No profileKeyCredential for conversation [REDACTED]c9d ([REDACTED]01b)
    at ConversationModel.promotePendingMember ([REDACTED]/app.asar/ts/models/conversations.js:200:23)

[dkg]

That's correct, i'm using Desktop standalone because i don't have (or want to have) a mobile device.

If you don't want to fix this so that Desktop standalone can create a "proper profile", surely at least the error reporting could be clearer -- the folks who are trying to invite me to the group just think that i'm not responding, and are unaware of what the server already knows: that neither profileKey or profileKeyCredential are forthcoming from my account.

[manuelschneider]

@scottnonnenberg-signal Can you please explain how we can generate the required keys? Not requiring a phone really was one of signals larger privacy features :)

[augustindo]

I've created an issue for this topic : #4850
Hope something can be done to allow users without a smartphone to enjoy group feature :)

[thlkmoeller]

@scottnonnenberg-signal Can you please explain how we can generate the required keys? Not requiring a phone really was one of signals larger privacy features :)

I support this request. That would be great!

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

signal-cli needs to create a profile for your account, then that information will be sync'd to desktop.

[augustindo]

signal-cli needs to create a profile for your account, then that information will be sync'd to desktop.

This discussion on signal-cli repo provides a workaround: https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli/discussions/429

[dkg]

@augustindo thanks for the pointer. I can confirm that after re-registering my account with signal-cli against a phone number, and then linking signal-cli with signal-desktop, i'm able to participate in v2 groups without using a smartphone.

[thlkmoeller]

By the way, is there a way to use Signal Desktop on two laptops? I don't have a smartphone and with the help of signal-cli i registered my number and now i use the Desktop version. But as soon as i register my other laptop, the connection on the first one gets lost. Is there a solution or a workaround for this?

[EvanHahn-Signal]

@thlkmoeller This is a good question but one to be asked on the community forums.