Cannot link devices with malfunctioning or non-existing front camera

[andrepd]

• [x] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• [x] I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• [x] I have read https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/wiki/Submitting-useful-bug-reports
• [x] This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

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Bug description

My front camera lens is damaged, so the image is blurry. When linking devices (Settings > Linked devices > + button), Signal does not read the QR code correctly.

This means that anybody who either: (1) has no front camera, (2) has disabled the front camera, (3) has a damaged front camera or front camera lens, or (4) has a dirty front camera lens, is unable to link devices.

This issue is easily solvable by exposing a backup numerical code in the Signal-Desktop UI, and a text field in the Signal-Android UI.

A related issue, closed in The Great Issue Cleanup of 2018 is here: #5153

Steps to reproduce

Link new device at Settings > Linked devices > + button.

Actual result: Only a perfectly functioning front camera lets the user scan the code to link a new device. Expected result: A backup option for users which do not have, or choose not to have, a functioning front camera, e.g. manually introducing a code.

Device info

Device: Lenovo Z2 Android version: 10 Signal version: 5.47.3

[Helium314]

A backup option for users which do not have, or choose not to have, a functioning front camera, e.g. manually introducing a code.

And for users whose camera doesn't work in Signal. It used to work, but some apparently some Signal update broke it within the last few months.

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[Helium314]

Dear bot, please don't close this issue. There has been need for this for at least 7 years now, and problems with camera (and thus need for a non-camera link) are apparently increasing: see e.g. #12009, or later comments on #5538, or my problem that some Signal update simply broke camera functionality.

[oliv3r]

Hey @alex-signal I think #12009 has some very valueable comments and suggested work-arounds!

[wnm210]

I need this. I don't have a camera installed, and I want to use Signal on my desktop. Manually entering the code would help.

[spignelon]

If your front camera isn't working, I think you can use the back camera to scan the QR code and link your device, am I right?

[mks-h]

This issue obviously isn't specific for the front camera, but to any camera. I cannot use neither cameras on my phone, therefore I cannot login to my account from the Desktop. I cannot even screenshot the QR and send it over — the app wants to specifically take a picture of the QR code.

[dogujen]

I want to bump that. I need that feature too.

[pguimier]

Still bumping this ! My old phone's camera died, I can't buy another phone. But now I can't link desktop app anymore. Very annoying !