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Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

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Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#21

Post by plibither8 »

soneca wrote: post #15

It is cool that this exists, but losing WhatsApp chat history is common enough (changing from Android to iOS, failing to keep backup up to date then buying new phone, losing, having it stolen, etc) that I don’t think it is a relevant barrier for changing apps.

I seriously can't understand why a billion dollar company with hundreds of engineers can't and won't prioritize the abilitynto seamlessly transfer messages cross-OS. Its been years since the need for such a "feature", when it shouldn't even be a "feature" in the first place, it should be baked in!

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#23

Post by elaus »

plibither8 wrote: post #13
elaus wrote: post #9

It's really annoying that WhatsApp chat export isn't available in Germany. I used to export my chats as backup and for creating fun stats for group chats with friends, but that feature got removed about a year ago. I haven't found a way to circumvent this restriction. There were some tricks like installing a modified Russion WhatsApp APK but that risk didn't seem worth it.

Was there any reason provided for the removal? I think it should in fact be essential in EU where they must follow. GDPR regulations and allow users to export their data easily.

There is a pending patent dispute with Blackberry and a German court ordered them to remove the chat export for German users.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#24

Post by nelsonenzo »

sjaak wrote: post #6
FreakyT wrote: post #5

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

Why is keeping a chat history important? I don't take notes of IRL conversation I have, they're ephemeral. Not trolling, honestly curious :-)

a ton of useful conversations and media from my wife while we were waiting for her US Visa, and other family matters.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#25

Post by FreakyT »

_l4jh wrote: post #19

I have been using Signal for two years now and I love it. However I really, really hope they can work on a good backup and restore process as losing my message history because I have to reinstall the app on my desktop[1] or have to reset my phone is a horrible experience. Just build an encrypted blob and zip it up and pop it on my iCloud or Google Drive or leave it local and let me deal with it but I need something .…

Exactly! The lack of this feature is completely baffling.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#26

Post by tricolon »

FreakyT wrote: post #16
prophesi wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What went wrong with their local device transfer solution? Asking as I'm on iOS and have yet to get a new phone.

Their solution (as documented here: https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007059752-Ba... ) requires that you place the devices "nearby" and wait for them to detect one another. For whatever reason, neither phone ever "saw" the other one (despite them being on the same network and physically next to one another). I tried this about 10 times before I finally gave up. (iPhone SE / iPhone 12 Pro) What made it…

Have you contacted their support? I did, and they informed me they'd fixed the bug in the app update that was published the next day. It might have been a coincidence, but at the very least they were responsive and knowledgeable.

(I had the same issue migrating from an iPhone SE to an iPhone 12 mini.)

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#27

Post by bertmuthalaly »

FreakyT wrote: post #25
_l4jh wrote: post #19

I have been using Signal for two years now and I love it. However I really, really hope they can work on a good backup and restore process as losing my message history because I have to reinstall the app on my desktop[1] or have to reset my phone is a horrible experience. Just build an encrypted blob and zip it up and pop it on my iCloud or Google Drive or leave it local and let me deal with it but I need something .…

Exactly! The lack of this feature is completely baffling.

On iOS now, if you’re setting up a new device, Signal will prompt you to transfer your messages from your old device.

Not exactly a backup feature but it covers one use case (I don’t want to lose my chat history when I switch devices).

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#29

Post by costsNall »

karakanb wrote: post #14
sjaak wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is keeping a chat history important? I don't take notes of IRL conversation I have, they're ephemeral. Not trolling, honestly curious :-)

For me, they literally mean "history". Some conversation with a friend who passed away, chats with an ex-lover, remembering school years, tons of memories. I believe at this point those messages are an important part of my past. In other words, if I had a chance to record, search and navigate through real life conversations, I would have done that too; it is way better to have records than to try to remember things.

As someone who has saved no chat logs, and just deleted pics, letters, and such from a long gone marriage; IMO, they’re not that important.

In fact, shedding that memory shed cognitive distraction I did not know I had.

If I want to connect to people I do it here and now. Talking to the past in my head is unhealthy.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#30

Post by qznc »

sjaak wrote: post #6
FreakyT wrote: post #5

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

Why is keeping a chat history important? I don't take notes of IRL conversation I have, they're ephemeral. Not trolling, honestly curious :-)

Still annoying is that all groups disappear. Only once someone else writes something, they are available again.
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