contact import is broken

[bakuny]

Description

signal starts as expected but it isn't possible to write a message (no button or keyboard pops up), to receive a message. after importing contacts or linking a device it crashes.

Reproduces how often: [What percentage of the time does it reproduce?]
100%

Versions

0.3.261

Device

bq aquaris 4.5 ubuntu edition, ubuntu touch 16.04 (ota-5)

[sinnumero]

Same issue, but with no more crashing after deleting all files related to the app and then
doing a re-installation. I did some investigations and can add the following:

• contact import stores them in ~/.config/textsecure.nanuc/contacts.yml, but nothing shows up,
  stating "no contacts". I checked ownership and permissions of the file: looks correct. But
  I could not find any open(2) system call on that file or a similar one using strace -f -e open -p ...
• After receiving signal messages, these appear correctly and one can answer to them as
  expected.
  I'm going to save the contact's files, one from the address book import and anoher one
  after receving messages; maybe I find some hints there.

Version: 0.3.261
Device: Aquaris 4.5 ubuntu edition, ubuntu touch 15.04 (vivid vervet)

(unfortunately, I also could not get it running in the libertine container up to now)

[nanu-c]

It's really had to reproduce this error. I need more investigations. Someone reported 401 errors while importing the phonebook

[Danfro]

Can't confirm on E5 with 16.04 with latest RC.

But contacts are shown only with network connection available.
If they are stored in a file, why is that?

[Beechm]

My nexus 5 Running UT16.04 has the same issue with this app. there is no way to start a message or add contacts. I was able to link my phone number to the app and link the app to the desktop app, but that is all I can do with this. Is someone working on a fix? Will this be sorted out in the next update?

[Beechm]

Like sinnumero I was able to import all of my contacts into the file at ~/.config/textsecure.nanuc/contacts.yml through the app.

However, none of them show up in the app contact list. Using another Nexus 5 I have installed the app. Because the desktop app has a field to enter phone numbers, I tried to text from the 1st phone linked desktop app to the 2nd nexus 5. This worked. With the app on the 2nd phone I was able to send a text to the first nexus 5 I had installed on.

Now 1 contact shows for the each phone that I used to text each other. However there is still no way to text a number that is not in my contacts, and no way to text a contact that has not already texted me. Each of these 2 phones can now only text each other. I maybe able to text each contact from the desktop app, and then add them to the contacts as they respond, but currently when I try to import a new contact it clear the one that is listed there out. So only one can be listed at a time.

I hope this info is helpful to someone. At some point I may try to test adding contacts through the desktop app which seems like it might work.

[Danfro]

I imported contacts from addressbook yesterday without any problems. E5 with RC using signal app 0.4.1.

[Beechm]

There is one more characteristic to this bug I noticed. The pencil icon shown in previews of the app on appstore does not appear on the app loaded on either of my Nexus5 phones. I assume this icon links to a field where you can enter a number or add people to contact list.

[milkbubi]

I have a Nexus 5 with current Ubuntu 16. 04 (OTA-10). Contacts cannot be imported. Signal Version is 0.4.4.

Is there a way to use the App ?

[Danfro]

@milkbubi are you using uAdblock with propaganda & fakenews category filtered? then remove that filter and see if that helps.

I could not import or view contacts if that filter was set. [uAdblock v1.6.3]. The issue is know, so future versions of uAdblock will likely solve this.

[milkbubi]

@Danfro Thanks for the quick answer. I have removed the uAdblock but unfortunately the problem could not be solved this way. . .

[Danfro]

Are you using the latest version (0.4.4)? There has been something fixed regarding contact import too. After that update and with uAdblock turned off it was working again for me.

[Danfro]

@milkbubi And try to clear the cache and maybe do need a reboot after resetting uAdblock lists.

[milkbubi]

@Danfro
i rebooted the device but it still doesn't work. i installed a current Ubuntu touch today and re-entered the contacts on the smartphone. is there maybe another possibility?

[Danfro]

@milkbubi you can export and import .vcf files.

Copy your contacts.vcf file onto the device, open that file with filemanager and select contacts app to import them. In contacts app you can export contacts to vcf via filemanager.

[milkbubi]

@Danfro I have the contacts as vcf generated and read in with the contacts app. It still does not work. Thank you for your help!

[milkbubi]

since the last update this morning I can add the contacts. Unfortunately you can't start new chats or receive single messages unless you create a new group. . .

[nanu-c]

Lot have been done on the contact import, please test v0.7.0 and report upcoming issues again.

[soki3456]

Installed today on nexus 5 - no contacts can be added: nor though the dialog field, after entering and confirming, the contact isn't listed anywhere, nor does the import work, i just tells me to com back later, but then no contact is in the list.

[nanu-c]

Do you have contacts that are registered with signal? Because if not the list is empty. It works like, hash your telephone numbers from your contacts, ask signal server if they exist, and if yes they are displayed. Note this is done asynchronous and takes a while. if you quit axolotl, its interrupted.
This is also done, when you restart axolotl.
So to support you, try to add a contact manually from a phone number you know, that is connected with signal, if that doesn't work please open a new issue and attach the log. Thanks

[soki3456]

i tried manual import svereral time - still no contacts listed.
sorry - where do I find a manual to find the logfile, I'd like to share. Thanks a lot.

[Danfro]

@soki3456 For logs you can use either Logviewer app and send the log to pastebin with pasting the link here or check the logs on your device under .cache/upstart/.