Should I use Matrix for Messaging?
Should I use Matrix for Messaging?
I use an iPhone and my fiancé uses Android. He is not very tech savvy. He does not like to text for privacy reasons. I was going to recommend we get Signal but see others in Lemmy talking about Matrix. Is that better? If so, what app is best that works on both our phones? Thanks Lemmy friends!
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We should all be using Signal, all of the time. It’s accessible to those not technically inclined, and I feel like that’s a requirement now if a personal-use technology wants to get off the ground.
Edit: this is not to detract from matrix, which seems like a great technology for privacy
One advantage of Matrix/Element over Signal is that it isn't linked to your phone number... Much easier to use across platforms and when you change phones.
This is certainly a “pro.” However, I’ve never had an issue swapping phones with Signal. (I do lose my chat history, but I can’t remember if that’s my doing or if signal just can’t port history to a new device.)
I’m going to have to give Matrix a try. I’ve been seeing it mentioned a lot over the past week.
If you want to keep your history in Signal, you'll need to backup your messages in a file, and restore your history on the new phone with the file (at least, it's the easiest way I could find).
I prefer the account-based philosophy of Matrix over the phone-number one of Signal, but you mileage may vary.
Matrix (and Element, its mainly used client) is not without flaw of course, notably voice/video call works somewhat better in Signal in my experience.