In light of what’s happened to Durov and possibly seeing Telegram compromised, I’m doubling my efforts to find a new main messenger. Before you start, not Signal as it’s a bad fit for the needs of me, my family and friends.

So what do I need?

  • The ability to run on multiple devices. Me, my family and friends all have multiple Android devices.
  • The ability to run on desktop. Linux and Windows.
  • Built in sticker repository. What can I say, I like to lazy flirt.
  • Animated Emoji. I like my messenger experience vibrant.
  • Material You. Again with the vibrancy, but also, it’s a sign of modernity.
  • Phone number linking. My family and friends are lazy as hell.
  • Synchronized chats. I don’t mind self hosting a bridge, but the ability to see messages on multiple devices is a must.
  • Voice Messages
  • Video Calls
  • Group Video Calls
  • Stories integrated into as first class citizens
  • Private. If you suggest WhatsApp, I’m assuming you’re either stupid or a troll.

Can anyone recommend anything?

  • @[email protected]English
    6•3 months ago

    The problem with Signal is getting other people to use it.

    Part of that issue is "the dropping of support for SMS, and the awful UI/UX.

    • QuizzaciousOtterEnglish
      2•3 months ago

      Isn’t it the opposite? I always thought Signal is pretty much the only private messenger that has any chance of mass adoption. I mean, most people at least heard about it which is already a lot in comparison to others.

      Also, personally I actually really like the UI/UX. I’m curious, could you elaborate what you don’t like about it?

      Regarding SMS support… Yeah, I agree. I really miss that feature.

    • @AndrewZabarEnglish
      2•3 months ago

      I think the challenge of getting others to use anything other than what they’re used to is going to be the same regardless what that anything is. I know people who have continued to use something no matter how many articles were published about its security flaws, data harvesting and spying. They just don’t care. It’s what they know and it’s what their friends know.

      So if you’re going to have to change someone else’s mind, pick what you like best because that won’t be the deal-breaker.

    • nudny ekscentrykEnglish
      1•3 months ago

      the dropping of support for SMS

      Disagree. The fact that most people are clueless about types of messaging and don’t distinguish between SMS, MMS, RCS, iMessage, Signal, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Line and so on just caused extra confusion for regular users. Removing SMS support from Signal was totally justified