• Text messages sort order

    From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 13:32:36
    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message. Nope, that's an old message, and the new login code is in a
    message that I have to scroll down to see.

    Is there an option to sort messages from new to old in top-down order
    (without having to move to a different messages app)?

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Stan Brown@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 18:05:47
    On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:32:36 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message. Nope, that's an old message, and the new login code is in a
    message that I have to scroll down to see.

    Is there an option to sort messages from new to old in top-down order (without having to move to a different messages app)?

    I'm wondering why you don't delete each OTP or 2FA message after
    completing your login. They're one-use codes, right? So why keep them
    around and make things harder on yourself?

    --
    "The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by
    those who don't have it." --George Bernard Shaw

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 22:15:11
    Stan Brown <someone@example.com> wrote:

    On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:32:36 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a
    notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message. Nope, that's an old message, and the new login code is in a
    message that I have to scroll down to see.

    Is there an option to sort messages from new to old in top-down order
    (without having to move to a different messages app)?

    I'm wondering why you don't delete each OTP or 2FA message after
    completing your login. They're one-use codes, right? So why keep them
    around and make things harder on yourself?

    Because I'm focused on the website where I'm trying to login. I try to
    get logged in, get interrupted with the 2FA crap, have to keep the text
    while I enter it to make sure I not only enter the code but verify what
    I entered is what is in the text, complete the login, and then proceed
    to use the website where I logged in. After all, the objective was to
    get logged in, not to keep cleaning up the separate texts. The text is
    no longer of importance, so I'm focusing on using the website. When I'm
    done at the website, or at a breakpoint, yeah, I'll delete the text, but
    that is cleanup maintenance, and obviously not of critical importance.

    Do you empty your wastebaskets every time you drop something into them?
    No, once a week you collect them to dump into the waste cart to haul out
    to the curb for weekly collection. When making a meal, it is a priority
    to you to dump the wastebasket into the trash cart for every item you
    toss into the wastebasket? However, should you toss the carton for meal
    prep, but realize you need to read the instructions, you can reach into
    the wastebasket to retrieve that carton sitting on top rather than
    having to dig through all the other dross to get at the carton.

    While not the net etiquette standard in Usenet, notice your replies in
    e-mails go at the top of your e-mail, not at the bottom. To the
    recipient, the most important content in your reply is what you added,
    and of lesser importance all the stuff you quoted. For e-mail, order is top-down from recent to older.

    Perhaps you enjoy descending time order (oldest on top, newest on
    bottom) for your messages. I don't. You might like chocolate ice cream
    over vanilla, but I'm the opposite. Seems a simple toggle to change
    sort order of messages. In e-mail clients, you merely click on the
    column header to toggle the sort order.

    You don't really argue against the user having a choice. Instead you
    divert by focusing on why I do not perform immediate cleanup. Once I
    use the code, I have far more important tasks at the time than cleaning
    up old messages.

    Some sites let me save a passkey to facilitate login instead of having
    to grab a phone, or read e-mail. Makes logging much faster and easier. Passkeys are not yet universal, so I'm stuck with the 2FA crap using
    insecure communication venues (e-mail or SMS) which do not have
    guaranteed delivery.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:07:13
    On 2026-01-22 05:15, VanguardLH wrote:
    Stan Brown <someone@example.com> wrote:

    On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:32:36 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a
    notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message. Nope, that's an old message, and the new login code is in a
    message that I have to scroll down to see.

    Is there an option to sort messages from new to old in top-down order
    (without having to move to a different messages app)?

    I'm wondering why you don't delete each OTP or 2FA message after
    completing your login. They're one-use codes, right? So why keep them
    around and make things harder on yourself?

    It is work and I am focused on entering whatever site or app.


    Because I'm focused on the website where I'm trying to login. I try to
    get logged in, get interrupted with the 2FA crap, have to keep the text
    while I enter it to make sure I not only enter the code but verify what
    I entered is what is in the text, complete the login, and then proceed
    to use the website where I logged in. After all, the objective was to
    get logged in, not to keep cleaning up the separate texts. The text is
    no longer of importance, so I'm focusing on using the website. When I'm
    done at the website, or at a breakpoint, yeah, I'll delete the text, but
    that is cleanup maintenance, and obviously not of critical importance.

    The other day a supermarket app refused to run, and asked for a login. I
    never remember the password, all are random and difficult. So I close
    the app and restart it again. This time it asks for my fingerprint, and
    then asks for a number sent by SMS. I get the number, and it says it is
    wrong. Twice. I close the app again and restart again. This time I
    notice that there are 3 SMS with a one time code. So the first time it
    failed, it already had sent me an SMS without telling me. And the second
    time I was typing the code pertaining to the first SMS and first try.



    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Chris Green@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 13:31:20
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I try to get logged in, get interrupted with the 2FA crap, have to
    keep the text while I enter it to make sure I not only enter the
    code but verify what I entered is what is in the text, complete the
    login, and then proceed to use the website where I logged in.

    It's one of those times where I'm half tempted to install the Win11
    Phone Link app, I think it can copy messages from the phone across to
    the PC, so they can be paste, rather than re-typed? But then I remember
    it needs an MSA and I decide against it ...

    I simply have a cellphone/mobile number which is actually a VOIP
    number and all SMS messages sent to it are forwarded to my E-Mail.

    It's then very simple to cut and paste the number to the 2FA field,
    usually on my laptop where I do virtually all of my on-line and
    browser based transactions.

    --
    Chris Green
    ú

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:42:32
    On 2026-01-22 14:08, Andy Burns wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I try to get logged in, get interrupted with the 2FA crap, have to
    keep the text while I enter it to make sure I not only enter the
    code but verify what I entered is what is in the text, complete the
    login, and then proceed to use the website where I logged in.

    It's one of those times where I'm half tempted to install the Win11
    Phone Link app, I think it can copy messages from the phone across to
    the PC, so they can be paste, rather than re-typed?ÿ But then I remember
    it needs an MSA and I decide against it ...


    On Android phones, you probably are using the Google Messages App, and
    this you can access on any computer without installing anything, via web.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 15:36:08
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a
    blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    Not only that, but the 2SV (not 2FA) code is often already visible in
    the 'closed' notification. If not visible, you open the notification,
    the code is now probably visible. If not visible, you tap the
    notification, you now see the list of recent activity (for all numbers),
    the most recent notification, i,e, the 2SV one, *is* at the top.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4.

    What you should *not* do, is open the *message* directly from the notification, because then it is - oh horror - at the bottom of the
    list, but, as you say, still in focus.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4, so I
    wonder why VanguardLH has this 'problem' with his new phone, but not
    with his old one.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 16:15:27
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." wrote:

    On Android phones, you probably are using the Google Messages App, and this you can access on any computer without installing anything, via web.

    I do use the synchronisation of SMS from my phone to my tablet, as that stays a persistent connection. But I find setting up shared SMS with a
    web client is only a temporary affair, and re-scanning the QR code each
    time is as much hassle as entering the 6 digit verification code anyway.

    Doesn't the 'Remember this computer' setting prevent the need for "re-scanning the QR code each time"?

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know if
    this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview' implies
    that it does,

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:20:57
    Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I try to get logged in, get interrupted with the 2FA crap, have to
    keep the text while I enter it to make sure I not only enter the
    code but verify what I entered is what is in the text, complete the
    login, and then proceed to use the website where I logged in.

    It's one of those times where I'm half tempted to install the Win11
    Phone Link app, I think it can copy messages from the phone across to
    the PC, so they can be paste, rather than re-typed? But then I remember
    it needs an MSA and I decide against it ...

    I simply have a cellphone/mobile number which is actually a VOIP
    number and all SMS messages sent to it are forwarded to my E-Mail.

    My Google Voice (GV) phone number is registered in my accounts. That's
    to where the 2FA crap gets sent. I configured GV to forward copies of
    texts to my e-mail account. I get 2 messages: 1 as text, and 1 as
    e-mail. That way, I can see the text on the phone WHEN it is with me,
    or I can read the e-mail on my desktop PC. However, texts show up much
    faster on my phone than waiting for e-mail to arrive into my account,
    and an e-mail client to poll the account to notify me of the new e-mail,
    and opening the e-mail. E-mails are sorted in LIFO (newest to oldest)
    order. Very easy to switch sort order in an e-mail client. Not an
    option in the Messages app.

    It's then very simple to cut and paste the number to the 2FA field,
    usually on my laptop where I do virtually all of my on-line and
    browser based transactions.

    Copy sometimes will include a trailing space character, because the
    server added it. Then I paste the copied string into the web form
    waiting for the code, and it bitches it is the wrong code. I have to
    paste, and check for a trailing space to delete it. Some web forms automatically strip trailing whitespace. Some don't.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:43:55
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." wrote:

    On Android phones, you probably are using the Google Messages App, and
    this you can access on any computer without installing anything, via web. >>
    I do use the synchronisation of SMS from my phone to my tablet, as that
    stays a persistent connection. But I find setting up shared SMS with a
    web client is only a temporary affair, and re-scanning the QR code each
    time is as much hassle as entering the 6 digit verification code anyway.

    Doesn't the 'Remember this computer' setting prevent the need for "re-scanning the QR code each time"?

    Wouldn't that require keeping cookies and/or DOM Storage data?

    I configure my web browsers to purge everything (except passwords) on
    their exit. On Android which does not unload apps when you "exit", but
    instead just closes their window, and leaves them running in the
    background, the purge-on-exit doesn't work. Edge and Firefox on Android
    have exit/stop options in the menu, so you actually can exit them when
    you close them. Chrome does not. Because everything locally cached
    gets purged on the web browser's exit, "Remember this computer" never
    works. Nothing left behind for the next web session to remember.

    For logins, I rely on the web browser's password manager to pre-fill the
    login fields. There are some sites that use Javascript to add those
    elements after page load, so the web browser's password won't work. The
    login fields are presented too late. I added the Bitwarden add-on which compensates for the inability of a web browser's password manager to
    pre-fill the login fields, but sometimes Bitwarden fails, too. However,
    I can click on its toolbar icon, and quickly use its Fill option. If
    that fails, I can click on its toobar icon, and copy the username or
    password into the clipboard to paste into the login fields.

    None of that helps to facilitate the 2FA login crap. Some sites let me
    save passkeys, so all I have to do is let the web browser's password
    manager or Bitwarden fill the username, and skip the password field to
    use a password. Never had to leave the web browser getting
    notifications on my phone or wait for e-mail. Alas, not all sites
    employ passkeys.

    I could use an authenticator app, but I found some sites won't all use
    the same one. I'd have to install multiple authenticator apps. My bank required a particular one (to skip the 2FA crap), but that authenticator stopped providing an Android version.

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know if
    this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview' implies
    that it does,

    I went there, and paired up the web app, as demanded, to my phone with
    the Messages app there. Another way to see texts, but it's still in
    LIFO (old-to-new) order. I suspect this is so the latest text is
    nearest the input box for sending a message.

    For using a webchat client, in the past I went to Google Voice, and used
    its messages (texting) option. Yeah, still LIFO order, but I find
    typing on a real keyboard while viewing a real monitor much easier and definitely much faster than anything on a phone. I can also use the GV
    app on my phone. Since my GV number is to where texts get sent (I only
    give out my GV number, not my phone's cellular number), I can use the GV
    app or GV website for texting.

    The web app you mentioned requires sync to the Messages app on the
    phone. I suspect that's because the web app does not have access to the
    phone to get the texts, so it links to the Messages app that does.

    I'm an old fart, so texting is not my thing. That's why I have GV
    forward texts as e-mails, but those are slower to receive. If a site
    supports passkeys, I use those.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:48:50
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a
    notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a
    blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    The Messages app (that I have) on my phone has an option to auto-delete
    OTP messages after 24 hours.

    Google Messages app: your icon -> Messages settings -> Message
    organization -> Auto-delete OTP messages after 24 hours

    After getting the code, and after I'm done focusing on the website where
    I logged in using the code, I may remember to do cleanup afterward, or I
    get another text, so if I go into the app I'll notice the old code
    messages to delete them. I'd rather do incremental cleanup than massive cleanup later, but my focus at the time is getting logged in, not on
    cleaning up the messages.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:49:55
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a
    notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a
    blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    Not only that, but the 2SV (not 2FA) code is often already visible in
    the 'closed' notification. If not visible, you open the notification,
    the code is now probably visible. If not visible, you tap the
    notification, you now see the list of recent activity (for all numbers),
    the most recent notification, i,e, the 2SV one, *is* at the top.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4.

    What you should *not* do, is open the *message* directly from the notification, because then it is - oh horror - at the bottom of the
    list, but, as you say, still in focus.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4, so I
    wonder why VanguardLH has this 'problem' with his new phone, but not
    with his old one.

    I merely asked if there was a sorting option. From everyone's response,
    the answer is No.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 19:06:03
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg wrote:

    Andy Burns wrote:

    I do use the synchronisation of SMS from my phone to my tablet, as that
    stays a persistent connection. But I find setting up shared SMS with a
    web client is only a temporary affair, and re-scanning the QR code each
    time is as much hassle as entering the 6 digit verification code anyway.

    Doesn't the 'Remember this computer' setting prevent the need for "re-scanning the QR code each time"?

    It probably does, if you allow persistent cookies, which I don't.

    AFAIK, it's a setting kept in your Google Account, i.e. similar to the
    same setting for signing into the account without the need for 2SV/2FA.
    Google Messages on the web can't work without being signed into your
    Google Account, so this is just one more account setting, not a cookie.

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know if this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview' implies
    that it does,

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 19:17:17
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." wrote:

    On Android phones, you probably are using the Google Messages App, and >>> this you can access on any computer without installing anything, via web. >>
    I do use the synchronisation of SMS from my phone to my tablet, as that >> stays a persistent connection. But I find setting up shared SMS with a >> web client is only a temporary affair, and re-scanning the QR code each >> time is as much hassle as entering the 6 digit verification code anyway.

    Doesn't the 'Remember this computer' setting prevent the need for "re-scanning the QR code each time"?

    Wouldn't that require keeping cookies and/or DOM Storage data?

    No, it's kept in your Google Account. For details, see my response to
    Andy.

    [Lots deleted.]

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know if this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview' implies
    that it does,

    I went there, and paired up the web app, as demanded, to my phone with
    the Messages app there. Another way to see texts, but it's still in
    LIFO (old-to-new) order. I suspect this is so the latest text is
    nearest the input box for sending a message.

    Good point! In the exceptional case I ('have' to) use SMS (we mostly
    use WhatsApp), I 'need' to refer to a message that's indeed just/a_little
    above the input box.

    So now you've found out why Google does The Right Thing (TM) after
    all! :-)

    [...]

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 19:34:12
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a >>> notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a >> blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    Not only that, but the 2SV (not 2FA) code is often already visible in
    the 'closed' notification. If not visible, you open the notification,
    the code is now probably visible. If not visible, you tap the
    notification, you now see the list of recent activity (for all numbers), the most recent notification, i,e, the 2SV one, *is* at the top.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4.

    What you should *not* do, is open the *message* directly from the notification, because then it is - oh horror - at the bottom of the
    list, but, as you say, still in focus.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4, so I
    wonder why VanguardLH has this 'problem' with his new phone, but not
    with his old one.

    I merely asked if there was a sorting option. From everyone's response,
    the answer is No.

    Yes, but you endlessly whined about it - especially to Stan - in the
    context of getting a 2SV code via SMS and having no end of trouble
    finding the right message, instead of accidentily stumbling on wrong
    ones. *That* 'problem' is, as I explained, the mobile phone version of
    PEBKBAC.

    AND, as you yourself found out, there's a very good reason that -
    other than in e-mail -, the newest SMS message is at the bottom, because
    that's where the reply box is.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:17:13
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know
    if this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview'
    implies that it does,

    I went there, and paired up the web app, as demanded, to my phone with
    the Messages app there. Another way to see texts, but it's still in
    LIFO (old-to-new) order. I suspect this is so the latest text is
    nearest the input box for sending a message.

    Good point! In the exceptional case I ('have' to) use SMS (we mostly
    use WhatsApp), I 'need' to refer to a message that's indeed
    just/a_little above the input box.

    So now you've found out why Google does The Right Thing (TM) after
    all! :-)

    Ahem, yeah, the "they know what's good for you" viewpoint. (giggle)

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:21:12
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    It probably does, if you allow persistent cookies, which I don't.

    AFAIK, it's a setting kept in your Google Account, i.e. similar to the
    same setting for signing into the account without the need for
    2SV/2FA. Google Messages on the web can't work without being signed
    into your Google Account, so this is just one more account setting,
    not a cookie.

    When I went there, it demanded I pair their web app with the Messages
    app on my phone. The web app for Messages doesn't get the texts. They
    aren't operating or interfacing with your carrier's SMS server. So,
    they link their web app to your Messages phone app to sync copies of the
    texts from phone app to web app. Well, that's my interpretation of
    their process demanded when I first loaded their web app.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:49:22
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I merely asked if there was a sorting option. From everyone's response,
    the answer is No.

    Not a changeable sorting option, but there is a defined sorting order

    [oldest read]
    [...]
    [newest read]
    =================
    [oldest unread]
    ...
    [newest unread]

    Now I'd be hard pressed to say whether it goes to the oldest unread, or newest unread when I read text messages, but there's generally not many unread text messages, so it goes to roughly the right place.

    Are you saying yours focuses on old and/or read messages, rather than
    new and/or unread messages? That would be annoying ...

    If I click on the notification bubble, focus is on the latest text (next
    to the input box to send a new message). If I open the Messages app, I
    can't be on which message has focus since the thread is usually short.
    Been a while since I had a conversation with someone that accrued to
    dozens, or more, messages.

    I don't keep texts for very long. They cleaned up AFTER whenever they
    were read, and used (e.g., 2FA codes). I did archive a long
    conversation, but that was using the Google Voice app's messages
    function. Doesn't seem to be an archive function in Google Messages,
    but there is in Google Voice. When I revisited the archived
    conversation, yep, it starts with focus on the latest (most recent)
    message at the bottom of the list of messages.

    Neither message client has a sort option nor a means of moving the
    new-message input box to the top instead of at the bottom.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 14:50:44
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a >>>>> notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a >>>>> list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a >>>> blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    Not only that, but the 2SV (not 2FA) code is often already visible in
    the 'closed' notification. If not visible, you open the notification,
    the code is now probably visible. If not visible, you tap the
    notification, you now see the list of recent activity (for all numbers), >>> the most recent notification, i,e, the 2SV one, *is* at the top.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4.

    What you should *not* do, is open the *message* directly from the
    notification, because then it is - oh horror - at the bottom of the
    list, but, as you say, still in focus.

    All-in-all totally standard, ever since at least Android 4, so I
    wonder why VanguardLH has this 'problem' with his new phone, but not
    with his old one.

    I merely asked if there was a sorting option. From everyone's response,
    the answer is No.

    Yes, but you endlessly whined about it - especially to Stan - in the context of getting a 2SV code via SMS and having no end of trouble
    finding the right message, instead of accidentily stumbling on wrong
    ones. *That* 'problem' is, as I explained, the mobile phone version of PEBKBAC.

    AND, as you yourself found out, there's a very good reason that -
    other than in e-mail -, the newest SMS message is at the bottom, because that's where the reply box is.

    And since I'm only interested in replying to the last message, *I* would
    prefer the new-message input box to be at the top of the window instead
    of at the bottom. Configurability is not an option with this text apps.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 22:58:54
    On 2026-01-22 16:58, Andy Burns wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." wrote:

    On Android phones, you probably are using the Google Messages App, and
    this you can access on any computer without installing anything, via web.

    I do use the synchronisation of SMS from my phone to my tablet, as that stays a persistent connection.ÿ But I find setting up shared SMS with a
    web client is only a temporary affair, and re-scanning the QR code each
    time is as much hassle as entering the 6 digit verification code anyway.

    I do the same thing with WhatsApp, and the tab remains opens for months
    before it asks again for the QR code. Of course I keep all cookies, as designed. I don't send that many SMS, so I seldom need to open the SMS
    session on the computer. I just tried (I keep a separate profile for
    Google), loaded the appropriate Firefox window, went to the tab with
    messages, and it connected to my phone displaying the messages just
    fine, no password or anything asked.

    Just as designed for.


    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 23:11:46
    On 2026-01-22 19:48, VanguardLH wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a
    notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a
    blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    The Messages app (that I have) on my phone has an option to auto-delete
    OTP messages after 24 hours.

    Google Messages app: your icon -> Messages settings -> Message
    organization -> Auto-delete OTP messages after 24 hours

    I don't have "Message organization".


    After getting the code, and after I'm done focusing on the website where
    I logged in using the code, I may remember to do cleanup afterward, or I
    get another text, so if I go into the app I'll notice the old code
    messages to delete them. I'd rather do incremental cleanup than massive cleanup later, but my focus at the time is getting logged in, not on
    cleaning up the messages.


    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 17:34:20
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    Been a while since I had a conversation with someone that accrued to
    dozens, or more, messages.

    I've got several text threads that go back over a decade, doesn't seem
    to cause Messages app any issue.

    You posted using Thunderbird. Good chance you also use Firefox. Why?
    Because it is far more configurable than other web browsers either by
    settings, about:config, or add-ons. Haven't used it, but Vivaldi claims
    to be highly user configurable. If you want to be dictated to as to how
    you use a client, then you're set with what the app/program gives you
    either fixed or by default. I like to tweak to *my* tastes, so it's disappointing the text apps are so constrained.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 17:47:37
    "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    On 2026-01-22 19:48, VanguardLH wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a >>>> notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a
    list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a
    blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    The Messages app (that I have) on my phone has an option to auto-delete
    OTP messages after 24 hours.

    Google Messages app: your icon -> Messages settings -> Message
    organization -> Auto-delete OTP messages after 24 hours

    I don't have "Message organization".

    In the Messages app's settings (not Android settings), and after
    clicking on your profile icon -> Message settings, what entries are
    listed there for you? I have:

    RCS chats
    Notifications
    Bubbles
    Hear outgoing and incoming message sounds
    Pinch to zoom
    Show expressive animations
    Choose theme
    Message organization <--- OTP auto-delete under there
    Your current county
    Voice mess transcription
    Gemini in Messages
    Suggestions
    Automatic previews
    Protection & Safety
    Swipe actions
    Advanced
    About, terms & privacy

    Everyone wants to customize Android, so what you see could be different. However, that usually applies only the OS screens and settings
    navigation, not to the settings within apps. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy
    A36 on Android 16 with the Google Messages bundled on the phone (noting messages.android_20251121_00_RC02.phone_samsung_dynamic for version).
    There are differences between what I see in the screens for that app
    versus the screenshots at the Play store:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

    I could install the one at the Play Store to usurp the duties of the
    Samsung bundled version. I'm checking now on comparing the two.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 18:06:27
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> wrote:

    There are differences between what I see in the screens for the
    bundled Messages app versus the screenshots at the Play store:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

    I could install the one at the Play Store to usurp the duties of the
    Samsung bundled version. I'm checking now on comparing the two.

    I found lots of user reporting less features or problems with the Google Messages app, and switching back to the Samsung Messages app; however,
    the reports are over a year old. Apparently Samsung sunset their app,
    and bundled a rethemed version of Google Messages, so no point in
    spending time to compare Google's version to Samsung's rethemed version.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 01:40:07
    On 2026-01-23 00:47, VanguardLH wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    On 2026-01-22 19:48, VanguardLH wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a >>>>> notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a >>>>> list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost
    message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a >>>> blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the
    clutter ...

    The Messages app (that I have) on my phone has an option to auto-delete
    OTP messages after 24 hours.

    Google Messages app: your icon -> Messages settings -> Message
    organization -> Auto-delete OTP messages after 24 hours

    I don't have "Message organization".

    In the Messages app's settings (not Android settings), and after
    clicking on your profile icon -> Message settings, what entries are
    listed there for you? I have:

    RCS chats ?
    Notifications ?
    Bubbles ?
    Hear outgoing and incoming message sounds ?
    Pinch to zoom ?
    Show expressive animations ?
    Choose theme ?
    Message organization <--- OTP auto-delete under there ?
    Your current county ?
    Voice mess transcription ?
    Gemini in Messages ?
    Suggestions ?
    Automatic previews ?
    Protection & Safety ?
    Swipe actions ?
    Advanced ?
    About, terms & privacy ?

    Everyone wants to customize Android, so what you see could be different.

    It is the same, except two missing entries, marked above.

    However, that usually applies only the OS screens and settings
    navigation, not to the settings within apps. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy
    A36 on Android 16 with the Google Messages bundled on the phone (noting messages.android_20251121_00_RC02.phone_samsung_dynamic for version).
    There are differences between what I see in the screens for that app
    versus the screenshots at the Play store:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

    I could install the one at the Play Store to usurp the duties of the
    Samsung bundled version. I'm checking now on comparing the two.


    I am on version 13, Motorola G52.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 22, 2026 20:15:29
    "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    On 2026-01-23 00:47, VanguardLH wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    On 2026-01-22 19:48, VanguardLH wrote:
    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    VanguardLH wrote:

    I get a lot of those OTP or 2FA messages when trying to login. I get a >>>>>> notification, tap on it, takes me into the Messages app, and I see a >>>>>> list of these type of messages, so I pick the code from the topmost >>>>>> message.

    For me, the new messages are at the bottom of the list, and I get
    focussed towards them, so I don't see the issue you describe, once in a >>>>> blue moon I do "delete all messages" for the 2FA sender to clear the >>>>> clutter ...

    The Messages app (that I have) on my phone has an option to auto-delete >>>> OTP messages after 24 hours.

    Google Messages app: your icon -> Messages settings -> Message
    organization -> Auto-delete OTP messages after 24 hours

    I don't have "Message organization".

    In the Messages app's settings (not Android settings), and after
    clicking on your profile icon -> Message settings, what entries are
    listed there for you? I have:

    RCS chats ?
    Notifications ?
    Bubbles ?
    Hear outgoing and incoming message sounds ?
    Pinch to zoom ?
    Show expressive animations ?
    Choose theme ?
    Message organization <--- OTP auto-delete under there ?
    Your current county ?
    Voice mess transcription ?
    Gemini in Messages ?
    Suggestions ?
    Automatic previews ?
    Protection & Safety ?
    Swipe actions ?
    Advanced ?
    About, terms & privacy ?

    Everyone wants to customize Android, so what you see could be different.

    It is the same, except two missing entries, marked above.

    However, that usually applies only the OS screens and settings
    navigation, not to the settings within apps. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy
    A36 on Android 16 with the Google Messages bundled on the phone (noting
    messages.android_20251121_00_RC02.phone_samsung_dynamic for version).
    There are differences between what I see in the screens for that app
    versus the screenshots at the Play store:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

    I could install the one at the Play Store to usurp the duties of the
    Samsung bundled version. I'm checking now on comparing the two.

    I am on version 13, Motorola G52.

    Yeah, could be a thing in a later Android version, or the app version.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 13:35:12
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

    It probably does, if you allow persistent cookies, which I don't.

    AFAIK, it's a setting kept in your Google Account, i.e. similar to the
    same setting for signing into the account without the need for
    2SV/2FA. Google Messages on the web can't work without being signed
    into your Google Account, so this is just one more account setting,
    not a cookie.

    When I went there, it demanded I pair their web app with the Messages
    app on my phone. The web app for Messages doesn't get the texts. They aren't operating or interfacing with your carrier's SMS server. So,
    they link their web app to your Messages phone app to sync copies of the texts from phone app to web app. Well, that's my interpretation of
    their process demanded when I first loaded their web app.

    Yes, that's how it works. But I don't see what that has to do with
    the 'Remember this computer' setting to use persistent cookies (as Andy suspects) and it being a (kept) setting in your Google Account (as I
    said).

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 13:39:53
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know
    if this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview'
    implies that it does,

    I went there, and paired up the web app, as demanded, to my phone with
    the Messages app there. Another way to see texts, but it's still in
    LIFO (old-to-new) order. I suspect this is so the latest text is
    nearest the input box for sending a message.

    Good point! In the exceptional case I ('have' to) use SMS (we mostly
    use WhatsApp), I 'need' to refer to a message that's indeed
    just/a_little above the input box.

    So now you've found out why Google does The Right Thing (TM) after
    all! :-)

    Ahem, yeah, the "they know what's good for you" viewpoint. (giggle)

    No, the point is that if they put new messages at the top or/and would
    have a setting for newest-at-bottom/newest-at-top, that would be plain
    wrong, because of the reason you found.

    Face it, people might not like many or any things Google, but Google
    is not stupid, far from it.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 14:29:30
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
    [...]

    AND, as you yourself found out, there's a very good reason that -
    other than in e-mail -, the newest SMS message is at the bottom, because that's where the reply box is.

    And since I'm only interested in replying to the last message, *I* would prefer the new-message input box to be at the top of the window instead
    of at the bottom. Configurability is not an option with this text apps.

    I haven't seen any SMS/IM app on any mobile platform, which had the new-message input box at the top. Also not on my previous three phones
    and I bet, you didn't have it on your previous phone either.

    So I think your preference is the odd one out and unlikely to be
    fulfilled, but you never know.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 15:46:53
    On 2026-01-23 15:29, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
    [...]

    AND, as you yourself found out, there's a very good reason that -
    other than in e-mail -, the newest SMS message is at the bottom, because >>> that's where the reply box is.

    And since I'm only interested in replying to the last message, *I* would
    prefer the new-message input box to be at the top of the window instead
    of at the bottom. Configurability is not an option with this text apps.

    I haven't seen any SMS/IM app on any mobile platform, which had the new-message input box at the top. Also not on my previous three phones
    and I bet, you didn't have it on your previous phone either.

    So I think your preference is the odd one out and unlikely to be fulfilled, but you never know.

    Software on a phone has to be simpler and smaller than on a computer.
    The configurable options have to be fewer.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 12:03:34
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    I've just set up <https://messages.google.com/web>, so I don't know
    if this setting does what it implies, but Google's 'AI Overview'
    implies that it does,

    I went there, and paired up the web app, as demanded, to my phone with >>>> the Messages app there. Another way to see texts, but it's still in
    LIFO (old-to-new) order. I suspect this is so the latest text is
    nearest the input box for sending a message.

    Good point! In the exceptional case I ('have' to) use SMS (we mostly
    use WhatsApp), I 'need' to refer to a message that's indeed
    just/a_little above the input box.

    So now you've found out why Google does The Right Thing (TM) after
    all! :-)

    Ahem, yeah, the "they know what's good for you" viewpoint. (giggle)

    No, the point is that if they put new messages at the top or/and would
    have a setting for newest-at-bottom/newest-at-top, that would be plain
    wrong, because of the reason you found.

    Face it, people might not like many or any things Google, but Google
    is not stupid, far from it.

    And, as I also mentioned, besides the sorting option, I'd also like the
    input box to send a new message positioned at the top. Then the precept
    the input box and latest message being next to each other still holds.

    Oh well, no configurability by user of the Messages app. One of the
    reasons why I stuck with Firefox for so long (years) was its
    configurability.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 23, 2026 12:05:19
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
    [...]

    AND, as you yourself found out, there's a very good reason that -
    other than in e-mail -, the newest SMS message is at the bottom, because >>> that's where the reply box is.

    And since I'm only interested in replying to the last message, *I* would
    prefer the new-message input box to be at the top of the window instead
    of at the bottom. Configurability is not an option with this text apps.

    I haven't seen any SMS/IM app on any mobile platform, which had the new-message input box at the top. Also not on my previous three phones
    and I bet, you didn't have it on your previous phone either.

    And I've seen students piled up outside a classroom door waiting to get
    inside, but I walk up and tug on the door, find it unlocked, and enter whereupon all those waiting students then proceed to enter, too. Just
    because it's the norm doesn't mean it is the best choice.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)