Basically, I’d like to be able to get SMS messages from my android phone sent to my Linux laptop, primarily for getting 2FA codes, since that’s the way pretty much every business-type site out there insists on doing it.

Anything KDE-related, it seems to me, makes you download a lot of other software that you don’t really need, and so I’d like to go another route if possible (not dissing KDE, it’s just not for me!).

KDE-Connect’s AlternativeTo page lists a lot of alternatives that aren’t really alternatives, and many seem to have been discontinued. One of them, Sefirah, has a lot of .dll files that come with it, which I believe are only for Microsoft, and so that doesn’t really inspire a lot of confidence. Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions.

(also, not using GNOME desktop or ZorinOS, so those options unfortunately won’t work).

THE VERDICT: KDE Connect is very clunky, but passable . . . I guess. I dimly remember trying this many years ago, and it doesn’t seem to have improved much, if at all. Kind of seems like the devs haven’t really given it much love as of late, which is too bad. Ok for now, but I’ll be looking for a replacement.

  • coltn@lemmy.mlEnglish
    3·
    14 days ago

    maybe using scrcpy is an option for you? like /u/paper_moon@lemmy.world said, using a password manager for 2fa is great (like actually so so great, and easier to back up/not lose access)–but also, a lot of services only use sms… in that case KDE-Connect is sorta the best.

    another option for sms 2fa is google messages–but there are privacy concerns there for sure. I really wish there was something selfhosted/open source that was more light weight and similar to messages.google.com.

  • paper_moon@lemmy.world
    3·
    14 days ago

    Also an option, you can use some password managers to store 2FA codes. I use KeePassXC to store the 2FA codes and then sync the database across devices with syncthing, but you could use nextcloud or google drive, etc whatever you’d like to sync. That way you don’t need your phone at all for this task.

  • BananaTrifleViolin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    14 days ago

    In terms of KDE dependencies, you’re talking basically about QT. The amount of packages you download shouldnt be too much and likely used for other QT programs which are common.

    However there is also GSconnect which is a Gnome extension and uses the KDE connect protocol.

    I would say that your concerns regarding the KDE Connect dependencies should be balanced against the good Android and iOS support, and the wide use of KDE connect means it is well maintained, supported and responsive to security updates. These considerations may outweigh the installation of packages that you otherwise won’t be using? It may be better to go mainstream and accept the dependencies than hunt down a lesser supported alternative and deal woth the associated shortcomings.

  • Alas Poor Erinaceus@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
    1·
    14 days ago

    I find the KDE Connect display to be a bit clunky, but if you’re on Cinnamon there are two applets which help to smooth out the experience a bit.