Support for wifi-only devices (f. e. tablets)

[NeXXor]

It would be a nice feature, if TextSecure would run wifi-only devices like tablets.

[JavaJens]

This should work, if not now then in a few releases.

Have you tried registering? You can use your phone and type in the code, that's how the browser plugin works.

But I don't know if the live server supports multiple devices yet...

[NeXXor]

The problem is, that I cannot download TextSecure via the Playstore.I get a message that my "device is not supported". I don't know how Google decides which app is supported and which is not; I have not tried to compile the source on my own or copy the .apk from a 3G device yet to check if it works.

[JavaJens]

Ah okay. I would suggest you grab a copy of the code, remove some logic that you can directly input the code received via SMS on your regular phone and compile for your self.

But I don't know if you can follow. Maybe there is official support planned, but I don't know.

Sorry for raising your hopes.

[generalmanager]

You can try sideloading the app via http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
And then you can activate it, using the number of a phone, similar to using google voice:
http://support.whispersystems.org/customer/portal/articles/1468990-how-can-i-get-textsecure-working-with-my-google-voice-number-

[NeXXor]

Nice idea. I'll check that and report my results later.

[NeXXor]

Worked. Thank you very much!

[generalmanager]

You're welcome ;)

[JavaJens]

As you resolved this locally, maybe you can close the issue?
@moxie0 I've got two questions: are you planning on supporting wifi-only
devices? Wouldn't a method for directly inputting the code, ie. skip the
send+call buttons, save you money? I don't think it would be much, but
maybe somewhat considerable for Google Voice and Wifi-only users?

[moxie0]

multi-device support is on the roadmap

[stiltgit]

@NeXXor
can you send messages on your wifi-only device?
#614 states that on Nexus 7 wifi the app crashes when trying to do so after successfull sideloading and registering as explained above (I can replicate this behavior in #614 on my 2012 Nexus 7 Wifi Kitkat)

[bobobo1618]

Sorry to revive a dead thread but I searched and couldn't find any updates.

@moxie0 are there any updates on multi-device support? Is there an issue I couldn't find tracking the feature? Is there any kind of public area where we can follow progress?

[ChaoticMind]

@bobobo1618 You can watch the development of the browser extension. I would assume that Its release is a strong indication that a version of multi-device support is ready at least in some form.

[tildelowengrimm]

Why is multi-device support being conflated with wifi-only device support?

The version of TextSecure in the Play Store is still not marked as compatible with wifi-only devices. Since the Play Store is the recommended way to install TextSecure, I'd suggest that this issue is not actually resolved — people with wifi-only devices can't install TextSecure the recommend way.

[agerwick]

Why is this issue closed? I can't see it having been resolved. I just installed Signal on an Android phone without a sim card, using the verification by phone (to my dumb-phone, where I keep my sim card), but in Google Play store any device in our household that are designed to not have a sim card (i.e. tablets) are considered as incompatible.

I don't see why:

1. using a phone number as an ID can be the cause of this issue, as I might as well use a tablet and receive a verification call on another phone, just like I did on my sim-less android phone.
2. there is a need to use phone number as the only form of ID, why not use email addresses, or a used generated string for that mater?
3. the UI not being designed for tablets can be a significant problem. I've used lots of other apps that were "designed for phones", and they work just fine. Not optimal perhaps but better than nothing!