Messages preps Google Account pairing, likely replaces QR codes

ijeff@lemdro.idmod to Android@lemdro.id – 130 points –
Messages preps Google Account pairing for tablets & web, likely replaces QR codes
9to5google.com

cross-posted from !googlepixel@lemdro.id

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Google has blocked anyone's ability to make an RCS app by making the API a system-level API. In order to make an RCS app, you must make an Android device. So Samsung could make one and bundle it with their phones, but Textra can't make one and make it available on the Play Store.

Ah ok, other replies mentioned API access in relation to servers so I misunderstood the issue. It looks like that API is hardlocked to Google (and Samsung?) devices. Thanks for the info

Samsung was just an example. I have been out of the Android development game for a while now, so my information might be outdated, but back when I worked for an android device maker (Android 5 timeframe), any Android device maker could use the system level APIs. You just needed to sign your app the the same keys your Android source code was compiled with.

Yeah I was pulling Samsung from an article I found discussing the issue, not specifically your comment. It said that those system APIs only responded to Google or Samsung made apps, but that was from like 2021 tbf