"Add as Second Device" - add an option like Text Code as QR code alternative

Thanks for all the work you do on this app.

I’ve noticed that the Delta Chat Desktop application does not allow any alternative means to adding a second device besides either scanning a QR code or uploading a screenshot of a QR code (with the second option, I am experiencing #4171, fwiw)

I think it would be hugely impactful to allow an alternative means to add a device besides the QR code - something like extracting the Text Code from the QR generated by the device and presenting it in the UI for the user to either copy and send to the device they are adding or even manually put it in.

I think this would benefit users - the fact that it is an additional choice you are giving them, or the fact that it would benefit in a situation where someone does not have a functioning camera to use (as an addition to the Screenshot feature for the QR code). There might also be some arguments here around offering some better accessibility.

there is the option to “paste from clipboard” that is basically the text option you want, in the other device you use “copy to clipboard” to get the “text code” and you can paste it in desktop using the “paste from clipboard” option:

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The Solution does not seem to be an option on Android without a camera (might only work on Desktop?) I have an eInk device without a camera, so the paste from Clipboard action would be really helpful. I’ve just gone with backup instead, but its a PITA to move such a huge file into downloads to setup this device.

The problem is getting the Clipboard contents from the first device, say an Android phone, to the second device’s, say a linux laptop, Clipboard!

I have tried various methods an not been successful.

worst case: paste it in a notes app and type it character by character into a textfield on the laptop. tedious, but works.

An idea could be to allow you to discover devices on your local network, but that would probably bring it’s own security/phishing issues with it.

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Yeah, I think the discover idea would be great.

I’ll try the copy/transcribe method.

Cheers.