Check if there is Lineage OS that has at least Android 5 or newer
Get a very cheap new phone. You can find a prepaid phone in the US at like less than $50 (lock to carrier, but unlockable in 60 days after activation).
No thanks :) I dislike GUI looking like plastic and bloatware, not to mention unexpendable storage and lack of customization… I`ll just stick to using 2 phones.
not to mention unexpendable storage and lack of customization
You can install Lineage OS on older devices. I have two devices from 2015 (Nexus 6P) and 2016 (Pixel XL). One runs LOS22 (Android 16), the other runs LOS20 (Android 14), both of which are more than capable of running modern apps.
Been a bit since I’ve messed with custom ROMs and rooting, but I believe it’s still possible to customize the look of things on ROMs, especially if you root it as well. Might be able to at least mitigate the stuff you don’t like.
Either way, it might be worth asking, do you care more about your OS being ugly or do you want a good messenger like Signal? Because with Signal’s focus on security you’re not getting it working on Android 4.x or earlier anytime soon.
Also, note as someone who works in cybersecurity and hacks things for a living, you might want to just bite the bullet and upgrade anyway. Old Android versions like that are SUPER easy to hack. Like so easy it’s used to teach people who are new to hacking the basics. Basically the equivalent of running Windows XP or 7 today.
Sorry, brother. You need to give up on using antique Android. Its a huge security threat. You also need to put Linux on that laptop still rocking Win ME.
Because that OS is far too old/EOL? Nobody bothers writing software for ancient platforms like Android 5, and why would they? Just so like 0.000001% of their userbase could use it. It doesn’t make any sense for them to do it.
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You mean you want a secure communications app on an insecure OS?
Sorry no.
Check if there’s a Lineage OS being made for the device that is equivalent to a newer Android version
Nooooo, I just want to use signal, as it’s the only mainstream messenger that’s not unusable
Sorry, I don’t make the app.
Your options are:
Check if there is Lineage OS that has at least Android 5 or newer
Get a very cheap new phone. You can find a prepaid phone in the US at like less than $50 (lock to carrier, but unlockable in 60 days after activation).
(Used phones are also an option)
No thanks :) I dislike GUI looking like plastic and bloatware, not to mention unexpendable storage and lack of customization… I`ll just stick to using 2 phones.
You can install Lineage OS on older devices. I have two devices from 2015 (Nexus 6P) and 2016 (Pixel XL). One runs LOS22 (Android 16), the other runs LOS20 (Android 14), both of which are more than capable of running modern apps.
But it’s ugly
Been a bit since I’ve messed with custom ROMs and rooting, but I believe it’s still possible to customize the look of things on ROMs, especially if you root it as well. Might be able to at least mitigate the stuff you don’t like.
Either way, it might be worth asking, do you care more about your OS being ugly or do you want a good messenger like Signal? Because with Signal’s focus on security you’re not getting it working on Android 4.x or earlier anytime soon.
Also, note as someone who works in cybersecurity and hacks things for a living, you might want to just bite the bullet and upgrade anyway. Old Android versions like that are SUPER easy to hack. Like so easy it’s used to teach people who are new to hacking the basics. Basically the equivalent of running Windows XP or 7 today.
Sorry, brother. You need to give up on using antique Android. Its a huge security threat. You also need to put Linux on that laptop still rocking Win ME.
Why are you running a device with an OS that was EOL nearly a decade ago?
? Cuz it’s the last OS that doesn’t look like literal shit.
How old are you?
I’m not sure, why does it matter ? 😂
No.
FUCK why?
Because that OS is far too old/EOL? Nobody bothers writing software for ancient platforms like Android 5, and why would they? Just so like 0.000001% of their userbase could use it. It doesn’t make any sense for them to do it.
I thought there might be some enthusiasts… You know, like people making open source alternatives to corporate social media, which “no one uses”?
maybe cuz that android version went eol more than a decade ago?
No :(