I used Signal for years and loved it, but I need SMS support to talk to, well, anyone I know. Is there a secure choice that’s near-equal?

  • Gamey
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    1 year ago

    Your preinstalled SMS app is usually the best way to receive SMS, I wouldn’t give and unnecessary app permissions to access them!

      • Gamey
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        1 year ago

        That’s because SMS isn’t end to end encrypted in general, you need a encryption client on both sides to achive E2E encryprion aka Singal to Signal or something comparable.

        • Cyclohexane@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          I mean I assume that’s what people mean by SMS app?

          If both of you have the client, it would send it E2E, otherwise send it as regular SMS (kinda like imessage but paying more mind to security and privacy).

          • Gamey
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            1 year ago

            The SMS reliance existed before the name changed to Signal and it was a online messanger ever since so no clue what you mean with that.

            • Cyclohexane@lemmy.ml
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              1
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              Going back to my original comment, I was disagreeing with your recommendation of using the default sms application on your phone, as it is not E2EE. I would want an app that does E2EE with as many contacts as I can (meaning, all contacts that have the same E2EE client on the other side), and only default to regular SMS otherwise.

              • Gamey
                link
                fedilink
                arrow-up
                3
                ·
                1 year ago

                My recommendation isn’t to ditch Signal for contacts that have it to, it’s simply to avoid adding another app with access to your SMS if you are worried about security, there is nothing that app will do better than your default SMS app.