How would I go about running Whatsapp on Librem5?

Hardware Librem 5
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134

Well, in the meanwhile we’ll have WhatsApp on L5, I asked to ChatGPT the best way to have it! Here his answer:

“To use proprietary messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger on a device like the Librem 5, which runs PureOS (based on Linux), there are several practical solutions. Here are the main options and their implications:

1. Native Apps through Reverse Engineering

Pros:

  • A smoother and more integrated user experience.
  • Potential for greater control over privacy and security.

Cons:

  • Extremely complex and potentially illegal. Reverse engineering proprietary apps can violate their terms of service.
  • Requires significant resources for development and maintenance.
  • May not always be up to date with official apps, causing compatibility and functionality issues.

2. Using Web Apps via WebView or Containerization

Pros:

  • Less complex than reverse engineering.
  • Does not require intense maintenance.
  • Uses official versions of the apps, ensuring compatibility and regular updates.

Cons:

  • Less smooth user experience compared to native apps.
  • Possible limitations in functionality compared to native apps.

3. Using Third-Party Compatible Apps (e.g., alternative clients for Telegram)

Pros:

  • Might offer a more integrated experience compared to Web apps.
  • Possibility of greater control over privacy and security.

Cons:

  • Needs to maintain compatibility with official APIs.
  • Potential risk of violating the official apps’ terms of service.

4. Remote Server Solution

Pros:

  • Official apps run on a remote server, ensuring compatibility and regular updates.
  • Can be a practical solution if well implemented.

Cons:

  • Higher latency and dependency on internet connection.
  • Potential risk to privacy and security of data transmitted to the remote server.
  • Requires initial setup and continuous maintenance of the remote server.

Conclusion

The best compromise in terms of practicality and legality would be to use Web apps via WebView or containerization. This solution allows you to use the official versions of the apps with a more mobile-friendly interface. There are already projects like WebApps (for creating WebView wrappers for apps) that could facilitate this approach on the Librem 5.

Steps to implement this solution:

  1. Install a compatible web browser on the Librem 5 (like Firefox or Chromium).
  2. Create a WebApp for each service (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger):
    • Use tools like WebApp Manager to create WebView wrappers.
    • Configure the WebApps to provide notifications and access to device-specific features, such as the camera for WhatsApp Web.
  3. Optimize the interface for a better user experience:
    • Adjust the CSS to adapt the WebApp interfaces to the Librem 5’s screen.

This solution ensures the use of official apps without violating terms of service, maintaining a reasonably good and secure user experience.”

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