With Libre, Threema has announced a version of its messaging app that works entirely without Google resources and is open source. Therefore, the app is not on the official Google Play Store, but on the alternative F-Droid app store, which only lists open source apps and offers more transparency regarding required app permissions.

Threema Libre does not contain “a single line of code that requires a proprietary software library from Google or other third-party providers,” the provider writes in its Blog. Interested parties can be convinced of Google’s freedom with Threema’s playable builds. For chat notifications, for example, use the recently released internal Threema Push, which is separate from Google’s push service.

Moving over backup

In addition to an installed F-Droid client, interested parties also need the appropriate Threema repository, which the provider has in a The FAQ page provides. When moving from an old version of Threema, the Swiss development team recommends creating a backup of your data and then restoring it to Threema Libre. Although parallel operation of the two versions of Threema is possible, the team recommends deleting the old application afterwards.

To use the Threema Libre open source messenger, you need to purchase a license key from the provider’s store for 4.99 EUR. If you already have a Threema license, you can use the old key in the new app on the same smartphone.

[Update 13:07: Die Mitnahme des alten Lizenzschlüssels und damit der Transfer zwischen den Anwendungen funktioniert offenbar nur, wenn man diesen im Webshop des Anbieters gekauft. Das liege daran, dass man keinen Zugriff auf Kundendaten von Google habe, schreibt Threema bei reddit]

(young)