this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2024

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Privacy

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SMS from computer (lemm.ee)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Looking for recommendations on how to SMS from a computer, á la Pushbullet or some such. Currently using Google Messages with companion desktop/web app and love the experience, but am on a de-Googling quest and looking for alternatives.

Prefer FOSS options (love the Fossify stuff, for example) but an willing to pay a slight premium if required. Would like solution to be compatible with any web browser and Windows but Linux (Mint) would work, too.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You might want to look into KDE connect. I don't use it myself, but it might be what you're looking for.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Yes, but be aware that it only works when both devices are in the same LAN.

[+] [email protected] -21 points 9 months ago (1 children)

So it’s totally useless as a communication tool

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

How so? I don't think that is referring to an SMS recipient, just the sender's computer and phone each running Connect need to be on the same network.

[+] [email protected] -7 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Does it really need to be said that OP is probably trying to retain the ability to send messages outside of his own network?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It can do that. It's just that the computer and the device sending the messages need to be on the same network. Not the device receiving the messages.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Ahhh okay okay, maybe I misunderstood. I was under the impression that it could only send messages between devices on the same LAN.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

It's not the best integration though. Usually when someone sends a message I get a notification to 'Mark as read' or 'Reply'.

The first reply I send is seemless. But it doesn't start a messaging window or anything like that. If that same person sends a follow up message shortly after then the notification doesn't really work the same way again, or at all. I forget.

Perhaps I'm meant to be running the SMS applicstion all the time, which is a seperate widget or something and part of kdeconnect. I usually don't run this and I think it was because I ran into other issues with it (I think it tries to sync all your phone messages so perhaps if you have a GB or two of messages it struggles).

What I might do is keep it running today while working and see if that makes the integration work better, allow me to send messages from the computer on the fly etc.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

I don't mind of both devices have to be on the same network. I tried KDE and it just didn't work the same way I was hoping. Will give it another shake.

I mean, perfect solution would be something like Google Voice where I could use it from any device with an internet connection, regardless of whether there a carrier device that's even on.

Twilio may be an option (and I have enough programming chops to make my own interface), just want attracted to the (reasonable) cost.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

For Windows you can use KDE Connect (and also MacOS) or Microsoft Phone.

For Linux Mint there's KDE Connect or GSConnect (GNOME Extension) though I don't use GNOME often, I remember liking KDE Connect better still.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Does https://pushover.net/ work for you? Been using it for several years, works really well and can be used in several applications.

Or some minor scripting with curl.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Please be aware of comm rule 2: Don’t promote proprietary software

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'll look into it, but I'm in favor of SMS exclusively (syncing) so I can see all/whole conversations and to just get all notifications and quick-reply to the texts as I get them.

Could you elaborate on how to implement the curl solution?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I mis understood, sms is pretty much history over here, so I considered you where looking for some way of sending messages to your phone.

Pushover supports a simple api, which can be used with curl. A la: https://support.pushover.net/i44-example-code-and-pushover-libraries#unix

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I use Element (Matrix) on desktop, phone and tablet. Currently with signal, IRC, Discord, etc. I will eventually try the SMS bridge, but I hear it works well. I run my own non-federated server (synapse) in docker.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I've used Twilio for that. There is a simple JSON API with code examples on their site.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I don't think this is what OP is looking for

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

It’s probably too complex for what you’re looking for, but https://www.kannel.org/ is a large-scale SMS gateway.