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Element Android

COMMS
Velocity5.0

Decentralized, secure messenger for the Matrix protocol — Android client.

element.io ↗

Now 'Element Classic' in maintenance mode, steering users to Element X

matrixsecure-messagingmaintenance-modeelement-x-migrationsecurity-patchesopen-source
◆Current state
Element Android has been rebranded 'Element Classic' and is explicitly positioned as the legacy client, with the README recommending Element X instead. Recent releases are security patches, dependency bumps, and verification-banner nudges rather than feature work, and cadence has thinned to roughly monthly.
◆Where it's heading
This is a wind-down branch: the team keeps it secure and compliant (a recent GHSA-tracked file-storage fix, crypto-android and Jitsi bumps) while exposing internal services so Element X can take over. The persistent 'verify this device before October' banners point users toward migration.
◆Prediction
Expect continued security-only maintenance and migration prompts rather than new capabilities, with feature investment flowing to Element X. The October verification deadline suggests a hard nudge to move off the Classic client this year.

◆Recent moves

  1. 21d ago

    Security fix: sanitize file storage location

    Ships a GHSA-tracked security fix improving sanitization of the file storage location. Security-only, but a real user-protecting patch on a client the team is otherwise winding down.

    View source ↗
  2. 1mo ago

    v1.6.60: security disclosure note and translations

    Documents earlier security fixes and adds translations for the device-verification deadline banner. Housekeeping consistent with the migration-nudge posture.

    View source ↗
  3. 3mo ago

    v1.6.58: crypto-android dependency bump

    Bumps the Matrix crypto-android component. A pure dependency update with no user-visible change.

    View source ↗
  4. 3mo ago

    v1.6.56: CI hardening and Element X service exposure

    Adds the zizmor CI check, exposes an internal service for Element X to consume, and hides the verify-device banner. Plumbing that supports the Element X handoff rather than end-user features.

    View source ↗
  5. 4mo ago

    v1.6.54: CI and Element X interop plumbing

    Largely repeats the prior release's CI setup and Element X service exposure. Internal maintenance with no new capability.

    View source ↗
  6. 5mo ago

    v1.6.52: opus/wysiwyg/Jitsi bumps and verification banner

    Bumps the opus encoder, WYSIWYG, and Jitsi SDK and adds a non-dismissable verification banner. Dependency maintenance plus a migration-oriented nudge.

    View source ↗