Unread messages aren't marked as read on opening

[astatine]

Checklist

• [X] I can reproduce the bug with the latest version given here.
• [X] I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• [X] I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• [X] I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs) and my problem isn't listed.
• [X] I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• [X] This issue contains only one bug.
• [X] I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.

Affected app version

1.0.1

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

ArrowOS 13.1 (Android 13 Custom ROM)

Affected device model

Xiaomi Mi A2

How did you install the app?

F-Droid / IzzyOnDroid

Steps to reproduce the bug

Unread messages aren't marked as read on opening, i.e., they are still bold in the message list.

Check the attached screen recording. Sorry about the quality, I wanted to blur stuff out and didn't know what I was doing.

This is not the only 'not-actually-unread' message in my list, there are other messages which are also afflicted by this malaise.

Expected behavior

Unread messages get marked as read on opening.

Actual behavior

Unread messages aren't marked as read on opening

Screenshots/Screen recordings

No response

Additional information

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fb5db53b-e150-496c-ad1b-36713f20a284

[naveensingh]

There is probably at least one message in that thread that was never "read". The app should provide better hints but the messages are marked when they are actually fetched from the database.

Workaround: Try scrolling up for a couple pages and the unread message should get marked as read automatically.

[astatine]

@naveensingh Thanks for the reply. I scrolled all the way up to the first message in that conversation, and scrolled back down. I did this multiple times. It didn't work.

I then scrolled down my message list and opened a 'not-actually-unread' conversation with only one message. It didn't work here either; going back to the conversation list still showed that conversation in bold.

For now, I've selected all conversations and force-marked them as read to mollify my offended sensibilities. ;-)

[naveensingh]

I then scrolled down my message list and opened a 'not-actually-unread' conversation with only one message. It didn't work here either; going back to the conversation list still showed that conversation in bold.

must be something else then :)

[astatine]

@naveensingh @Aga-C It is happening again with v1.1.0 as well. Anything I can do to help you debug?

[naveensingh]

Thanks but it hasn't been fixed yet. We'll ping you if we need more help.

[astatine]

Thanks but it hasn't been fixed yet. We'll ping you if we need more help.

So you're able to reproduce it? Just curious. Thanks!

[Aga-C]

@astatine I was able to reproduce it, that's why I've taken off needs triage label. However, I haven't encountered it for the one-message conversation as you described later.

[naveensingh]

I haven't encountered it for the one-message conversation as you described later.

Same, the workaround works for me.

Would it be better if have something like an overlay with "5 unread messages ↑" or should the app mark everything as read automatically even if the user hasn't scrolled to actually "read" the message?

[tswistak]

Would it be better if have something like an overlay with "5 unread messages ↑" or should the app mark everything as read automatically even if the user hasn't scrolled to actually "read" the message?

How about both at once 😄? When I enter the conversation, it shows where are unread messages (they could be marked with some different background too), but leaving the conversation marks all as read.

Actually, even better, it could scroll to the oldest unread message, like e.g. Signal does.

[naveensingh]

How about both at once 😄? When I enter the conversation, it shows where are unread messages ... but leaving the conversation marks all as read

Yeah, this seems like an acceptable way to implement it without it being 'annoying'.

it could scroll to the oldest unread message

I doubt everyone will like that, we'll let the overlay button with the arrow do the scrolling.

different background

Yep, a slight hint is a good idea. We can fade the unread message from, let's say, 80% opacity to 100%.

[astatine]

However, I haven't encountered it for the one-message conversation as you described later.

@naveensingh @Aga-C I caught a live one! Hope this helps.

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fd4a6ff3-8697-4e88-a0c2-565824e75d40

[naveensingh]

It is all pixelated but I can see it, thanks.

[astatine]

It is all pixelated but I can see it, thanks.

It is pixelated on purpose for privacy reasons, as before.

I just noticed that a message previously forcefully marked as read is now showing as unread. As before, it does not get marked as read on opening it. Maybe this is related to the other zombie ~~undead~~ unread messages?

[naveensingh]

@astatine just got one more question, how many conversations do you have?

[jrockoio]

I have maybe 200-300 conversations and get the bug frequently

[naveensingh]

Similar new issue: https://github.com/FossifyOrg/Messages/issues/609