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AI 2 : RCS and Ubuntu touch : little hope !
RCS on Ubuntu Touch: Technical Feasibility and Possible Solutions
Your Question
Can the RCS protocol be easily ported to the alternative ROM Ubuntu Touch based on Ubuntu 24.04 or 26.04? Are there technical solutions?
Direct Answer
Yes, Ubuntu Touch presents favorable technical opportunities for porting RCS, but no solution is currently officially operational.
Favorable Architecture of Ubuntu Touch
Unlike AOSP-based ROMs, Ubuntu Touch relies on a Linux-native architecture with Qt/QML technologies for its applications. The official messaging app uses a history-service backend and currently only supports SMS/MMS, but its modular design offers the flexibility necessary to integrate an RCS stack without the constraints imposed by the Google Play Services ecosystem.
Three Identified Technical Paths
1. Native Qt/QML RCS Client
This approach would allow directly implementing GSMA specifications within Ubuntu Touch's open code. However, this would likely require GSMA certification and potentially direct agreements with telecom operators to access their RCS servers.
2. Waydroid as Android Container
Ubuntu Touch already includes experimental support for Waydroid, allowing Google Messages to run isolated in an Android container within the Linux system. This would provide full RCS functionality while maintaining the de-googled base system, although this maintains some indirect dependency on Google services.
3. Porting Third-Party Applications via Click/OpenStore
Ubuntu Touch's Click package system already allows deployment of complex applications like Delta Chat. A compatible RCS client could therefore theoretically be ported to this ecosystem without resorting to proprietary frameworks.
Prerequisite Conditions Required
Regardless of the chosen approach, several conditions remain essential:
- Access your operator's specific RCS servers as they vary by region
- Obtain GSMA certification if developing an independent client rather than using Google's
- Manage history integration with the existing history-service backend to ensure data consistency between SMS, MMS, and RCS
Current Status and Outlook
As of today, no official RCS implementation is available on Ubuntu Touch. These proposals are based on technical discussions documented within the UBports community which identified these possibilities. True viability will depend on mobilizing active contributors with the necessary knowledge in telecommunications protocols and Qt/QML development. Without dedicated community investment, these technical paths will remain theoretical despite their demonstrated architectural feasibility.
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@domubpkm please don't just dump AI output into the forum.
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