[Bug] WeChat (Android) app - Microphone "muted" and camera anomaly

asked 2018-01-07 18:28:27 +0300

jimjamz gravatar image

updated 2019-08-20 20:21:40 +0300

The WeChat app seems not to be compatible with Sailfish X, or its version of Alien Dalvik.

After installing the app via Aptoide, and attempting to make video calls, I've found that the microphone seems to be permanently muted within the app (with no way to unmute via settings). The recipient of the video call can be heard. The camera feed is also distorted very badly with visual anomalies. Please see attached screenshot. Both Skype and Slack also seem to have video and microphone issues respectively. I've had no such issues with similar apps such as Whatsapp, which must be better supported by both Sailfish X and its version of Alien Dalvik. Why is this?

image description

Of course, this is rather frustrating when you can receive successfully audio clips from contacts, but not record any of your own. image description

2019 UPDATE As of Sailfish OS v3.1.0.11 Seitseminen, this issue is still occurring in other Android apps. When making video calls using LINE, my camera is displaying the same type of artefacts and the orientation is incorrect (portrait when held in landscape and vice versa):

image description

For LINE, WhatsApp and WeChat, this problem does not occur when selecting the feature to take a photo from directly within the app itself. There, the camera image appears normal. It only seems to affect actual video calls.

WhatsApp seems to have also regressed. The image appears warped and stretched.

edit retag flag offensive close delete

Comments

Same issue

plouffem ( 2018-02-07 04:24:10 +0300 )edit

Same issue with XA2.

jandreas ( 2019-08-08 11:08:23 +0300 )edit
1

Sorry guys, but since WeChat is the antithesis of freedom (as in speech), why don't you get an Android phone?

magullo ( 2019-08-20 22:22:19 +0300 )edit
1

@maguilo - I don't see how your comment bears any solution to the problem raised. Let me also exercise my freedom of speech by saying, although you are entitled to your opinion, no one cares for your personal suggestions, Perhaps some of us have friends or family members who live in regions where this is the most convenient (or only) communication tool as they don't have access to FOSS alternatives as easily as we do? Instead, maybe you should focus your efforts on preaching to the users and/or creators of such applications as WeChat to promote the distribution of platforms such as Sailfish OS in the regions that use their apps?

jimjamz ( 2019-08-21 01:08:52 +0300 )edit

@jimjamz nice explanation, thank you. I was probably biased by a recent reading on WeChat surveillance policies. Sorry didn't mean to offend nor to be impolite.

magullo ( 2019-08-21 08:11:18 +0300 )edit