Web based Messaging #665
Description
Checklist
- I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
- I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
- I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs) and my problem isn't listed.
- I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the request will be dismissed otherwise.
- This issue contains only one feature request.
- I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.
Feature description
Self hosted Web Based messaging support with support for SMS, MMS and Images should show the complete conversation both those only sent a revived from the phone along with those send from the web to show full conversation parity across devices.
Why do you want this feature?
Many people who care about privacy choose to use Fossify Messages over Google Messages however one big feature missing for us is the ability to use web based messaging on other devices. While there is KDE Connect it doesn't offer the same flexibility to use from any device or network as a web based messaging system.
Additional information
Ideally, this connection should be out bound from the messaging app on the phone to something that can run as a docker container as the self hosting crowd tends to have a lot of overlap with the privacy crowd. Inbound connections from the server side web based platform (container) would be less flexible.
There are currently solutions out there that use Matrix Synapse and along with Element Web or similar can make a decent solution though they are currently missing some functionality. and it would be really nice to have this natively built into Messages app without the need for another app. There could also be an argument to make something simpler than Matrix + a Matrix client with a bot but that may require more dev work.
Sources:
https://github.com/tijder/SmsMatrix
This one is pretty close; currently what I am using today, the bot does not support encrypted chats (though transport is encrypted with SSL - if setup right) however it's lacking group chat support, MMS images (it will text a matrix link) creating new messages is a poor experience but can be done. and messages from both sides do not always show everywhere. This may be a good starting point to patch up from if Matrix is the choice vs a stripped down option.
https://gitlab.com/beeper/android-sms & https://docs.mau.fi/bridges/go/imessage/android/setup.html
I have not tried this one yet but I plan on testing it. It seems to offer outbound connections from the phone which is the ideal way but I have not see features documented on this one
The final one seems to be potentially more fully featured in regards to starting new messages however the connections are inbound to the phone seems to be more geared to automated text messaging etc. rather than personal messaging. It does not support Images or MMS group chats.