With Libre, Threema has announced a version of its messenger app that works entirely without Google resources and is open source. The app is therefore not found in Google’s official Play Store, but in the alternative app store F-Droid, which only lists open-source apps and offers more transparency with regard to the required application 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 use Threema’s Reproducible Builds to convince themselves of Google freedom. For chat notifications, for example, use the recently released in-house Threema Push, which is independent of 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 provides on an FAQ page. When moving from an old Threema version, the Swiss development team recommends creating a data backup and then restoring it in Threema Libre. Although parallel operation of the two Threema versions is possible, the team recommends deleting the old app afterwards.
To use the open-source messenger Threema Libre, you need to purchase a license key from the provider’s shop for EUR 4.99. 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]
(jvo)
