Sailfish 3 and Android compatibility

asked 2018-04-07 12:03:23 +0200

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updated 2018-04-07 12:03:23 +0200

ralfB gravatar image

Hi

For the upcoming Sailfish 3 release, are there details available regarding the Android integration? I am using Jolla since the very first phone but I am forced to use other smart phones because some critical apps do not run on Jolla. But I would love to switch back!

Regards, Ralf

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Comments

1

Is that because those apps require a higher API-level, or because missing Google Play Services? Sailfish 3 has Android support version upgrade, but OOTB support for Google Play Services will probably (and hopefully) never happen.

Fuzzillogic ( 2018-04-07 16:53:46 +0200 )edit
3

It would be good to know more about the future plans for Android support in SF3. There are many things that I don't consider complete yet. For instance: (1) no write access to contacts (2) no option to revoke app permissions (even Android has it natively now) (3) no out-of-the-box support for MicroG.

Federico ( 2018-04-08 10:39:59 +0200 )edit

I suspect that the Android apps that fail to start or only partially work do so for a mixture of reasons, and I would love to know more about which might be addressed in Sailfish 3. This was the reason why I included microG in my Wishlist for Android support in 2018 - I think that it would help at least some Android apps run better without the need for Google Play Services.

pakman ( 2018-04-09 13:35:03 +0200 )edit

I am technically not able to describe why certain apps do not work. Is it because of missing Bluetooth stuff or something else. I think, it is acceptable when the Android version does not match, everything else should work. I believe Jolla will not be able to enter mass markets if potential users are not sure that the needed app(s) are running or not.

ralfB ( 2018-04-09 13:38:01 +0200 )edit

When an android app does not work on Sailfish, I don't believe that it is because of bluetooth in the majority of cases. I think that most failures are due to one of two causes:

  • Android version 5 is needed
  • Google Play Services are needed (or something that is only available via Google Play Services in Android 4, such as TLS v1.2)

So far, Jolla have carefully avoided saying anything specific about the Android support in Sailfish 3 except that it will be a "newer version".

pakman ( 2018-04-10 16:37:08 +0200 )edit