Can you try to clear storage and cache, then re-setup Libby? I’m trying to sort out what is different between your situation and mine.
Also, can you try another media player and see if the same poor experience is there?
Also, you do have microG enabled, correct? All the microG “checkboxes” are active under the “self-check” (System Settings > System > microG)?
OK another question: when it was playing and you couldn’t stop it, was it showing in the dropdown notification? My suspicion is there is a permission somewhere that is preventing it from showing there, so please confirm.
I cleared cache and set up Libby again and will test it again, along with another media player.
Yes, I have microG enabled.
However, I cannot check the box for “Permission to show notifications” in microG. I have tapped it again and again, and nothing happens. It says if I don’t grant permission, apps can misbehave. So maybe that is the trouble? All the other permissions are granted.
Dropdown notification… yes, Libby does show there but it’s unresponsive to forward/backward, pause/play.
I suspect when you first setup the phone you unticked to use cloud / push notifications. In microG settings, go to the “Cloud Messaging” tab and enable to “receive push notifcations”. Libby should register there after that is enabled. I think that is where we differ at least!
See if enabling that then allows you to check the box in the “Self-check”
Yes, I’m sure I did! I disallow notifications as a matter of routine!
When I got to Cloud Messaging, I can’t enable the push notifications. It says “To use it you must enable device registration”. How do I do that? I probably said no to that somewhere.
Now you are finding out the difference between an entirely “de-Googled” phone and instead one with the all-important microG that is an open-source privacy respecting re-implementation of some Google Services
Device registration is just above in the microG Setttings: “Google device registration”. Also, you will then want to enable “Google SafetyNet” (below). Many apps will also require that to “trust” your phone isn’t rooted, etc.
Newer tiers of Google authentication use what is called “Play Integrity” which microG is not yet able to fully spoof, so that is why some apps will still not be installable (or maybe fully functional)
@rik Thank you so much! I’m beginning to understand. Coming from iPhone this is so new to me.
Ok, I registered, turned on cloud messaging, and enabled the safety net. I still can’t check the box for notifications in the “self-check” though.
I went into the individual microG apps and enabled notifications just in case.
Should I enable location services for my whole phone? I usually keep that off.
BTW, I am using Spotify right now without any trouble, even with the bluetooth earbuds.
Libby is still having the same troubles. In fact, now I can’t get into it at all.
Also - now I can’t get on wifi. I had made a hidden open network while waiting for wifi the issues to be resolved, but with whatever I just did, I can’t get on there anymore either.
I can’t provide any feedback in the app Libby, but I do have a music app where I lose the ability to control the Forward/Backward with bluetooth headphones (apple airpod pro 2). My app, I go to Settings - Apps and force close it there, and I regain the ability to control… until some rando time when it all fails again.
I just took it as an app issue, but maybe it’s a little deeper than that.
Can you comment on if the “working audio apps” register with “cloud messaging” and do you now see Libby registered there as well? Wondering if in Libby there are some notification settings that are blocked. (it does seem strange that “cloud notifications” are needed to control playback, but sadly this is how a lot of apps are written these days, just tapping into the Google framework for everything).
Oh, and I agree @xancudo has been helpful here and several other places
@rik Under “Play Store services” should I toggle on “Google Play Feature Delivery”? That is off, while the other items in “Play Store services” are all on.
Edit: well, never mind. Libby still doesn’t work well. It starts out ok but then within 5 seconds, has a playback error and then seems to get hung up and isn’t controllable anymore (by earbuds or directly on screen).
Can you check Long press Libby > App info > App battery usage and ensure it is set to Allow background usage?, and again all libby notifcations are allowed there?
I guess you could one more time clear storage and re-login. Possibly since you did set it up before you had cloud messaging / device attestation enabled it didn’t setup right? Grasping at straws here, I absolutely HATE just saying well it works for me but I am running out of ideas.
For further research, you can search on the /e/ community forum, or broader web search on “microG + Libby” or something along those lines. Let’s find out if anyone else is having problems!
I double checked and yes, background usage was allowed and notifications are on.
I just cleared storage, restarted my phone, logged in again, and it’s still performing the same (playback issue after about 10 seconds and then no good from there).
I hate bugging you and you’ve helped so much, so we’ll just let it be. Thank you very much for your help thus far.
Yes, I will keep searching on my own for a solution. I’ll let you know if I find something.
Is it safe to install Google apps as long as we don’t login with our Google IDs?
Not sure if this was answered already or not.
Also, I’m unable to recieve group messages with the default messaging app. Is there a setting I have to mess up with? I switched from iPhone to the Brax3. Don’t know if that has to do with it as well.
You are safe(r). The issue with Google is that on a regular Android you’re tied in their whole mobile ecosystem with a single identifier - without an option to opt out. They collect internet activity, app activity, location, telemetry, etc. etc.
Since BraX3 running iodeOS is deGoogled, you’re not forced into the ecosystem with an account identifier. But youtube apps will not work well on deGoogled devices - they brake as they are designed to work when the whole ecosystem is enabled and communicating.
Try to find alternative apps (e.g. Proton mail instead of gmail) or proxy apps (NewPipe for anonymous access to youtube videos).
I’ve used Spotify and Audible today without any trouble, even controlling them via bluetooth earbuds.