With the Pixel 7, Google started offering a free VPN, and the Pixel 8 offers much deeper integration that doesn't require...
  • Exec@pawb.socialEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    So third-party VPN apps should be able to provide a connection without a persistent notification now, right?
    Right?

    • ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.deEnglish
      0·
      1 year ago

      If they’re root, they already can. Like Google Play and other root/system apps that can install apps without the pop-up.

      It is an obvious double measure but it’s been around for a long time, and it’s not too insecure or annoying unless manufacturers install malware as system apps and/or disallow locking the boatloader (they do, sadly).

  • shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    a persistent notification is no longer required. A key icon in the status bar is the only indication you get that the VPN is enabled

    You still get the key icon. Is the fuss that it now takes more screen taps to reach the on/off, rather than just using the persistent notification?

    • limerod@reddthat.comMEnglish
      0·
      1 year ago

      The fuss is that 3rd party apps need a persistent notification to stay alive. But, because Google owns pixels, it can skip that step and be less intrusive/visible, which others can not.

      • out@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
        0·
        1 year ago

        The WireGuard and tailscale apps work great for me without a persistent notification.

        WireGuard doesn’t support notifications at all. Tailscale does and by default it shows a persistent notification but you can just silence it or turn it off in the apps notification settings.

        Persistent notification thus seems to be unnecessary for VPNs to function, Google/Android dev documentation recommends a persistent notification for the UX but it’s not needed. https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/vpn

        In conclusion it appears that third party apps can indeed provide a VPN service without a notification.

        • limerod@reddthat.comMEnglish
          0·
          1 year ago

          Unfortunately, that will mean your app can be killed on many smartphones from device makers like xiaomi, Oppo, and huawei, which have aggressive battery optimization. I had this issue on a redmi device where background apps would be killed unless a permanent notification was present.

          The WireGuard and tailscale apps work great for me without a persistent notification.

          I haven’t tried wireguard. But, I should give them a try and see how it goes in samsung.