Moving stuff: Part 2

Not as dramatic as my last post, I've been moving my Matrix account as well. The matrix server hosted by envs will soon be closed. I can't remember how long I have been using the instance (seemingly since May 2021, according to log from a rather inactive chat), but it has always been stable and up-to-date. Thanks, envs admin.

I will be exclusively on the friend-hosted instance on loang.net.

One problem remains: What about my chats?

Moving Matrix account.

Unlike the last time when I moved from matrix.org, now I have a number of chats I don't want to lose, especially chats with people outside the techie circle that I managed to invite.

Apparently, I can connect to a service hosted by Element that will move my account, but giving credentials to a corporation is not what I want. Fortunately, having the same concern as I do, someone else already figured out another way and wrote a guide about it. It is also rather simple as well, as long as you're willing to do some manual work. It's basically:

Export, then import your encryption keys to new account (the UI has changed since the guide was published: it's in the “Encryption” setting now)
Invite/Join existing chats
Set your new account to be admin for direct chats
Edit some metadata so they appear as direct chats for the new account
Leave rooms from the old account

Step 1 seemed obvious, but I somehow didn't think of that. Step 4 is not really necessary, but direct chats not shown as such have been annoying me so the guide really helped, and I should rewrite that part here in case the original guide is gone.

Apparently, direct chats are stored as a metadata for the account that can be accessed via the devtools (only available on Element: type /devtools in chat) and select “Explore Account Data”. Open m.direct, and edit the JSON, which looks something like:

{
  "@account_one:example.com": [
    "!room_id:example.com"
  ],
  "@account_n:example.com": [
    "!room_id:example.com"
  ]
}

where each entry is for the account of the person you're talking to in the direct chat, and the list are for the respective room ID. The room ID is displayed right when you open the devtools.

Other ways to contact

I'm always reachable via email (my @loang.net email works now, but @xrvs.net and @disroot.org emails are more reliable) and my fedi accounts. For more secure channels, other than matrix, I'm also on Signal. Overall, I find Signal awesome UX-wise and would recommend any non-tech friends if they ask how to chat with me, but it has a centralization problem, especially when it's hosted in the US. I think I will create a DeltaChat account as well as a contingency plan as well.