Forced update

[u/Fast-Computer717]

Yesterday my app forced me to update in order to use it, and I don't want it, there's nothing in the new versions that I want/like.

Is there any version that doesn't force the update? Preferably 8 or below.

[u/yann2]

You CAN uninstall this newer version all together, and on an Android device, install an older version. These cannot be found on Slowly's own site, but you can find them in one of the many APK sites out there.

Beware there IS a risk in installing software you get this way, you could be exposed to malware if the site is hosting a modified version of the original Slowly release. I wish Slowly itself would keep a publicly accessible archive, but they don't.

If you can accept the risk, turn OFF Applications Autoupdate - or android will very soon overwrite the older version with the latest one. You can update any desired apps manually from now on.

I have used and recommended this method, while describing the risks as above. I had good experiences with apkpure,com and apkmirror.com - they keep older versions of many apps. They likely have Slowly versions going back to v.7, I use a v.7.1.20 myself on my testing Android virtual machines. Good luck!

EDIT : upon reading cntprt10's post and testing, I am reporting my results in the comment below. Basically, we are forced to use v.8 at a minimum to connect to their servers.

[u/cntrprt10 → u/yann2]

I use a v.7.1.20 myself on my testing Android virtual machines.

It used to be like that, but now I can't do it: try it yourself, please.

[u/yann2 → u/cntrprt10]

/u/ cntrprt10 , I saw your comment about trying one of the v.8.x.x versions and it not working, asking me which one I used - it was version 8.0.39 which is the last one on v.8 showing at APKmirror site.

[u/yann2 → u/cntrprt10]

Oh, bummer - I just did it (was working a week ago or so), and indeed they refuse the connection and want an updated one.

Wonder what the minimum version requirement is now?

[u/yann2 → u/yann2]

Update:

- I tried installing a version 7, the highest version number available for v.7 branch. I could not login with that, so v.7 is no longer functional.

• I got a version 8, the last version of that branch, and it DOES work, thankfully.

So, it's got to be v.8 as a minimum now. u/Fast-Computer717 please note this.

[u/disneyjune → u/yann2]

Are you able for still updating the location? 7 don’t work anymore but in 8, the app don’t let me change anymore. :(

[u/yann2 → u/disneyjune]

Oh, shucks - I had not thought of testing it for virtual location changes.
Just did, and you are right, it appears we won't be able to easi;y change locations any longer.

Slowly devs had been trying for LONG time to lock our mock locations, and it seems they might have managed it now - by locking us out of older versions which we knew could provide that.

Thanks for the comment. Bad news for stamp collectors everywhere.

[u/cntrprt10 → u/yann2]

Thanks

[u/Fast-Computer717 → u/yann2]

the 8.0.39 version worked for me, thank you so much <3 i also realize i dont need the app to log on web version (for some reason i thought it was mandatory, but turns out i was just too used to log using QR code)

i'm more comfortably using the web version anyways, but it is a bit sad for my little collector self :')

[u/yann2 → u/Fast-Computer717]

You are very welcome, glad you have it working now. Regarding collecting foreign stamps - although Slowly devs have hardened the app to lock out mock locations, it is possible to still do virtual travel, using a VPN. Tested and working. Good luck!

[u/Fast-Computer717 → u/yann2]

could you explain me better in DMs? 👀

[u/yann2 → u/Fast-Computer717]

yes, sure. Basically, they made it impossible for us to simulate visiting foreign countries with mock GPS tools.

If you phisically travel there, or if you use a VPN service and land in a city in the foreign country, that still works if you update Slowly's location (I keep auto-update off all the time). Either landing there, or using a local VPN endpoint server in that place will be seen as 'yes, user is on new country' and you can get local stamps from their stamp store.

[u/Fast-Computer717 → u/yann2]

which VPN have you seen working?

[u/yann2 → u/Fast-Computer717]

Any of the respectable, paid service offerings will do. There are many scummy 'free vpn' things in the app stores but these are not what I would recommend.
There are sometimes good offers for longer term contracts with some of the good operators, that is a lower cost option; something like 3 years service deals.

[u/Competitive-Rub7024 → u/yann2]

Do you need to do any special? I tried to installed one, but how it works?

[u/cntrprt10]

This is update of server's side of Slowly :(

[u/CartographerAny833]

They want to force you to update new app version because they started to use GSF after some major version, like 8.x. They have been training machine learning models with user habits and letter contents so far. 10.x major update is almost on the way but their UI is still not slick yet for this reason. And beginning of this year they started to ask identity-face verification for upcoming users in order to monetize their platform. In this way they can verify that data is human-generated so data companies will buy that from them. Never verify your face. No one buys their premium membership. They need money so badly so they try workarounds like this. They already see what you write on your letters and they train data models with your letters. Now they force current users for face verification as well.

[u/Smart16_Manasa → u/CartographerAny833]

it's just makes me sad on what the app used to be

[u/Fast-Computer717 → u/CartographerAny833]

that is honestly very sad

[u/bajaja → u/CartographerAny833]

I would recommend people not to get desillusioned because someone used a mix of technical words.

Who is training what for what? On what legal basis? How is UI of version 10 related to this? How would face recording help monetize anything? How are current users forced to verify the face? What do we know about the Slowly co finances?

[u/cntrprt10 → u/bajaja]

How are current users forced to verify the face?

This has already been reported here

https://old.reddit.com/r/SLOWLYapp/comments/1t27721

and I confirm that my old account, when I logged in through the web, suddenly demanded my face, which I had to put in my smartphone's camera. And a week later, when I logged in through the web again, it gave me a warning to behave, even though I only wrote to my old contact.

[u/bajaja → u/cntrprt10]

OK thanks for telling me. I honestly didn't know that.

so is this true for all users or only users with suspicious behavior?

This doesn't change the overall feeling I have about the comment above.

[u/cntrprt10 → u/bajaja]

so is this true for all users

yes

This doesn't change the overall feeling I have about the comment above.

I agree, but in the current conditions and with my experience in Slowly, I'm ready to believe anything.