Joey for Reddit went down today

Another sign Reddit was never interested in having third party apps at all. They want all mobile traffic through their own app.

Which would be fine at all, you know. It's their platform and their servers, and they can do what they want.
Except for the fact that the official app is several orders of magnitude more primitive, inefficient and uncomfortable to use. Even more so for Android than for iOS
- Also for the fact that they lie through their teeth and can’t even give the decency of honest business.
  Why the fuck would we trust these idiots with our data/hard work?
- Who gives that platform value? Who fills it with content for them to profit off of? Who moderates it for them, for free?
  Users.
  And they should be able to interact with the site they built up however the hell they please.
- Except that they were very friendly to third-party app developers for 15 years and are now claiming they didn't know third-party apps existed.
- I used the Android app for a long while before I found out there were 3rd party apps. By the time I tried them I was so used to the horrible Reddit app I Just stuck with it. My biggest gripe with it was that they would make huge sweeping changes that changed how the app worked with no warning, no way to go back, and you Just had to change the way you browsed.
  Then when I switched to an iPhone every time I tabbed out of the app (to read a link or whatever) then went back into Reddit the app would scroll me all the way to the top of whatever feed I was reading at the time.
- The fact that you still can't change text size on Android, when people were asking for that feature seven years ago, is a travesty.
- I would literally be fine with scrolling past some ads if the shit worked. Their app (and the god awful redesigned site, always used the old.reddit when on a PC) was just so freaking bad. Like I'll tolerate some corporate bullshit and ads if IT WORKS WELL. You can't make me consume ads to use a broken half functional product.
Dystopia for Reddit seems like it has the best staying power since it serves an accessibility need that the bloated official app can’t. I’m down to that and Old Reddit. If they kill off both, I’m probably done.
Their mobile site is far superior to their app still. Especially when you switch it to the classic style. If only res worked on a mobile browser it would be perfect.
- I absolutely hate their mobile site. It's nothing compared to the mobile oriented experience I got from Sync.
Exactly. They are trying to monetize everyone they can before their IPO. They don't admit it, but we all know the truth.

Ah yes another prime example of them working with those who were willing to work with them. That's what they said, right?

what, are you calling them a liar? speddit would never lie!
- I sure as fuck will. As the genuine spez, that likes molestation. It’s true, spez likes it. I am qualified to say I fucking will.
- Are you threatening me?

Unfortunate but predictable. Reddit and u/spez have decided that third-party apps are going to die, and nothing is going to stop them. The "talks" they were offering to interested devs were always just a show, as this clearly demonstrates.

Seems like you can’t trust a guy who edits user comments behind the scenes and lies about being extorted.

How fucking shitty. It just proves that everything spez said about negotiating with developers in good faith was bullshit.

You're right but the leaked conversations between Reddit and RIF pretty much confirmed that for us months ago. Spez had zero intention of allowing 3rd party apps to exist. Next on the chopping block, old.reddit.com
- They'll let old.reddit sit around for a little while longer because of the push back they got from API changes. But I suspect by this time next year it'll be gone too and we'll get another wave leaving reddit.
- pls no

Fuck u/spez

mlmym.org acts like oldreddit, someone linked it further down in the comments, and it's changed my world.
- https://github.com/rystaf/mlmym or those that want to self-host
- Dude this is kinda life changing. So is this a separate lemmy instance? Or what exactly is this?
- Wow, that's incredible. I've been using a tampermonkey script to sort of emulate the feel of old.reddit, but this is essentially one-to-one. Thanks.
I deleted all 3 of my accounts after joey went offline. It was my all time favorite reddit app. I hope that there's a mass exodus going on at reddit while the apps shut down.

That goes to show it was never about gettimg paid to use the AI, it was just to shut down all 3rd party apps. Even those who wnated to cooperate

- It's funny how many users only used Reddit because of their favorite app
There are a few staying like narwhal. Really strange to cut off access during negotiations but reddit is a dumpster fire so no surprise

My prediction: Reddit is moving toward a YouTube-esque format.

They are going to monetize by allowing creators to make money from their content. This is why they're getting rid of awards. Of course, they'll take a cut which is probably why they're going toward this model.

They have also been moving toward more detailed, identifiable profiles as well.

They're trying to make the new social media.

- We’re about to find out exactly how much money memeing is worth.
This will just turn the site into a massive shill fest full of people pandering and not to mention huge scale botting. AIs will be churning shite out.
Real quality will go elsewhere.
- This will just turn the site into a massive shill fest full of people pandering
  Ummm...
This is the problem of starting internet businesses without monetisation planning. They start by doing whatever gains users, and then when they want to be profitable they must try to change whilst holding on to the users.
The exact opposite to how businesses ought to be grown.
- So the entire tech industry
Nah.
Killing comments and make a subscription-based visibility booster for them and posts seems more like what they want.
That would be an extremely interesting turn of events, and one much better than I personally imagined, to be honest.
- I don't agree personally, but I think I understand your thought process.
  My issue with them changing this up so much is that we already have YouTube and TikTok. We have ways for creators to make money.
  Involving money makes Reddit far less likely to be a discussion forum where people have higher-quality discussions based largely on intellectual curiosity. You didn't post to make a dollar, you posted because you wanted to and because you had a desire to share something you know.
  There was always room for memes and jokes, of course. There was room for gaming and funny cat videos too. But those were extras for a community that was (long ago) built on being nerdy, tech savvy, interested in science, politically progressive, anti-religious, etc.
  Reddit has been drifting away from that for a very long time unfortunately. But this will be the final nail in the coffin.
Wait, they’re wiping awards completely? That’d be the best thing they’ve done if it wasn’t purely for greed

That's why I'm here. Fuck Reddit.

Fuck u/spez!
Ditto, exactly why I deleted my account on reddit after tagging spez in a post calling him a cunt
Same here, man. Same here.
same here. fuck reddit

So sad. I'm here because of that. Hopefully this community grows fast.

Me, too. Still trying to figure out lemmy.
- what are you having a hard time with? Maybe somebody can help?
- How can we help? I'm glad to share some knowledge if anything doesn't make sense.
- vger.app is great
Welcome. Fuck reddit, don't look back. Discussions here are better anyway.
I'm in the same boat, also hoping the community can grow fast as more 3rd party apps shut down!
Wow, this is very cool, we're literally seeing waves of migration. I'm here because Sync for reddit went down and seeing spez's rat face made me sick of using Reddit. Sync for Lemmy ftw.
- For me it was Apollo. Still shocking that reddit just shut down Joey's API access in the middle of talks. What a despicable company they have become.

I really hope he's able to migrate his app to Lemmy and continue to make a living. I would happily pay again.

Truly. Joey was so damn good. Honestly I would've paid 20 bucks monthly to keep using it.
I hope so too. I also paid for the original app. I signed up for updates on future apps from him, so it seems he's thinking of something.

I'm here because Joey went down too. I stayed as long as Joey worked but I won't use the reddit app. I hope they can pivot to creating something for Lemmy.

I'm in exactly the same shoes... stayed on Reddit as long as Joey was working, now... goodbye.
Still use it for info, but won't download the main app. Hated it so much that I had to find something better and was so happy with Joey. I can't go back.
This current Lemmy app I'm using (LiftOff) seems to be good for now, but looking for something better.
- I'm using Connect for Lemmy but also searching for the best option .
I switched when NSFW stopped working in Joey... Gotta respect my priorities.
- Fair enough lol
Same here. I actually had just posted to Lemmy that I was still browsing reddit through Joey but then checked and got the message it had veen shut down
RIP Joey

Man Reddit is really all in on the “any PR is good PR”.

Wow, RIP. One of the few apps I actually paid for 💔

Man, Joey was my favorite one for sure

It was objectively the best reddit app. So many people missed out. Was a great ride. Here's hoping he develops a similar app for this platform.
- What made it "objectively" the best reddit app?
- I hope they notice the popularity of this post and take it as a sign to make joey for Lemmy!
I loved Joey, definitely one of the best. Rip in peace buddy, Here hoping that the developer brings their talent to Lemmy.

RiF migrant here. Howdy, y'all! Pull up a chair.

Gutted about this... thought was just a technical issue yesterday then got the message today directing me to Lemmy so here I am. Reddit is an asshat.

Joey refugee here. I was registered via vlemmy but that died too so I've been ousted from two things I like this week.

What happened to vlemmy?
- Nobody knows, they just went dark.

We need Joey for Lemmy

I'd happily pay for it. Fuck, I'd subscribe

See, here's why you don't talk to Reddit about their paid API access. They'll just fuck you over regardless.

"Never negotiate with your abuser."
- Exactly. Also, that whole "mods are landed gentry" shit reeked of "DARVO"
- Abusers always isolate, isolate, isolate. That's exactly what we're seeing.

Finally started using lemmy after Joeys API was cut off.

Welcome to the threadiverse, friend

And this is why I came here today. Bye, Joey!

I tried all the reddit apps I got aware of and Joey was just miles ahead of the pack.

There have been so many customization settings, custom themes, well-impoemented navigation features like skipping posts/comments with the volume keys of the phone etc.

I'm currently using 8 apps for Lemmy and none of them seems even close (yes, I know these are mostly alpha releases).

I really hope the joey dev creates a Lemmy client.

It's wild that to me that the app dev made money from essentially being a web scrapper. No one should be makingoney off us posting memes lol 😂
- You have no idea about amount of work involved, have you?
- He made money from people liking provided fun and easy access to reddit, additional functionality and customization options.

Joey was one of the best, free Reddit apps for Android. It's a shame they did him in anyway even though he tried to cooperate. Between just using a browser for Lemmy and using the official Reddit app (which is slow, laggy, and has ads), I'd stick to the browser.

I tried getting the browser to work, cuz ya the app is hot garbage between the ads and awful notifications. Even using the browser it was unusable. Gave up after ten minutes of trying to just sign in or browse the front page till I came here.
Hopefully the Joey Dev opens someone similar for lemmy!

I wonder if "upcomming apps" means Fediverse!

it's sad Joey was a great app.

Joey was my go to reddit app, and I'm really sad to read about the developer stressing out. They seemed pretty cool, so it sucks that reddit is doing this to them.

That's why I'm here now

Me too bro..
- Here here

I'm here because Joey got shutdown. It was a great app!

Welcome to all the new users in this thread!

I've personally sent Joey developer the email suggesting Joey for Lemmy. 🫶

I did too... Yet no response. He even did a survey and I suggested again he should port Joey to Lemmy and I'll buy again. But it seems he wanted to stay in the Reddit bullshit. Let's hope he will come to Lemmy.
Let us know if you get a response. Please.

I don't wanna be mean to the guy who effectively just lost his job but like, come on bro. Reddit wasn't exactly hiding their negative intentions, outright lies, and lack of respect.

He said it's his only source of income, so he's probably been busy trying to gain as much time as he could from Reddit while simultaneously trying to work out his finances and such. And if Reddit was still talking to him, it's like dangling a carrot. The dev had some hope before the rug was swept out from under him.

I'm here because Joey was shut down, I refuse to get the reddit app.

Same. Haven't looked back since the day I lost Joey.

I was using Joey, which died last night - Always said I would leave as soon as my apps i liked didnt work so I made one last post calling spez a cunt then deleted, here i am!

And here I am. Finally migrated and newly registered.

Hello

I was so stoked that thinking that maybe Joey wouldn't go down, it's been my most used phone app for years. Trying to force myself to love lemmy, just wish there was an app that allows swiping from one post to the next

Connect for Lemmy has you covered. If you're on Android.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kuroneko.lemmy_connect
Else, you can try WefWef.app which also worked really well as a web app. It has gesture support.
- Wefwef changed its name to Voyager
If your on Android the connect for Lemmy app allows this. Though it is in experimental mode right now but it works well for me
- How do you do it? I go into the post and show my finger from right to left and it doesn't go to the next post. If I do it on a comment that action just likes it, doesn't go to the next post

Former joey user I left reddit as soon as the API changes where public, I wanted to dev to pivot joey for Lemmy among other that said the same on the subreddit but never got any response. rip.

RIP Joey,

Downloaded it back in 2017, promptly forgot my password, and now the only I'd access my account is gone, I guess this is a goodbye to Reddit and a hello to Lemmy.

Is there any way to get something resembling Joey in Lemmy? Best-rated app in Play Store is Connect, and, well, I miss Joey. 😩

My only problem with connect is when I make a comment, it doesn't return me to the thread properly
- That too. I'm surprised it's rated so high. Trying Jerboa and Liftoff now and both seem better.
Jerboa

I used Joey for few years. I expected that it will end after API changes, but it's still sad. I wonder what another project will be about, I signed to newsletter. I guess, it's time to move to Lemmy more than I did

Wow, reddit reaching new levels of suck right here.

Narwhal on IOS is still going I just keep it to see how long it lasts zero chance I get the official app.

I deleted Narhwal even though it wasn’t cut off from the API because I had no intention of using the developer’s proposed subscription model that was supposed to come at some point in the future. Uncertainty about the pricing etc., made it feel like I had Damocles’ sword over my head. Rather just rip off the bandaid and move on. Plus no more porn (if I’m being honest).

This is why I'm here RIP Joey.

How hard it is to replace the backend while keeping the experience the same?

Depends on how the code was written, it can vary between "a few days of work" and "it's easier to write a new one"
Depends on how the app is written, really. If it's written using good abstractions and adhering to so-called SOLID, it should be fairly easy.

Realised this when I tried to use the app today morning. Sad! Wish they would make a lemmy app.

It still works fine if you moderate a subreddit. If you make yourself a private subreddit and mark it NSFW, you can both use the app and the API will let you see NSFW content.

Have you actually tried this? I used to moderate a sub of about 700 people. I don't have access now. Perhaps it's only if you moderate bigger subs?
- Of course I've tried it, that's how I know it works. I was just using it 5 minutes ago. I don't think it's going to matter if you used to moderate a subreddit, you need to currently moderate a subreddit. I literally moderate an empty sub I made in like the last two days, who I'm the only subscriber to.

Such a shame... time for me to give Lemmy a go.

Very sad to see this. ... and why I am right here right now.

Sad but expected. It was my reddit app of choice while it lasted.

That's also why I am here.

On one side, I thanks reddit for getting my time back !

RIP old friend. I loved Joey it was the first and only Reddit app that I used. I'm in Connect for Android hoping that some of the UI customizations come to this app. I would like to put my post titles above the image. Or whatever meta content image is displayed for the post.

I'm really enjoying Lemmy so far though.

Voyager and Liftoff both put the Post title above the image
- I found the option in Connect settings finally. But thanks.

Yep, and here I am. Joey come to lemmy!!!

Interestingly I still have RIF installed and I was able to browse anonymously. NSFW subreddits are not viewable naturally.

Hah yeah. It forwards you to a comment by "u/redditmaturecontent" who tells you to download the app.

I wonder when the shock of reddit being evil will ware off

"Don't be Google."

The sign up is down ☹️

I noticed that too. Hopefully he gets it up and running because I would love to support this dev.

And then I deleted my Reddit account.

Is reddit going to charge the owner of Sync since it tallies API calls? I dont want to screw anyone over for Reddit..
- Based on what? User agent? This wouldn't be a reliable base to know who to charge. It's all about the given API token. If it's your own personal one (which it probably would be aber revancing the app), it is restricted anyways to x calls per month (day? IDK). If you reach that limit you simply won't be able to fetch more data.
  Buuuuuut: You would still be using reddit, which we all hopefully agreed not to do anymore, right?
  RIGHT?

Waiting for infinity to die.. surprised it's still working perfectly

I hear they automatically charge the owner in relation to how much traffic happens through their app. Maybe infinity will get like a 50k bill soon

Boost is still working for me. Not sure why.

I think if you were a mod at some point, it will work.
Relay still works too. The dev is also in talks with reddit about paid API access, but hasn't had it shut off.
Huh, Boost broke for me a week-ish ago. I'm waiting with baited breath for Boost for Lemmy to be up an running.
- I'm currently my app of choice (Sync) but patching it with Revanced and using my own API key. It's super easy and free. Works. Beautifuly for the moment.
Same here. At first, I thought Reddit might be phasing the API changes but doesn't seem to be the case. After seeing someone's comments about moderator accounts allowed to have continued access, that seems to be the case testing against a few of my accounts. Only the accounts that were moderators have continued access via Boost.

Thank you for everything, Joey was the best!

Not sure why they tried to hang on at all, it was always gonna go down this way.

Relay thinks they can make it work, when it was never designed to work.
- Honestly, any app still trying to make it work is just a reddit simp, and have lost all my respect (not that it means much).

It's a sad day for all of us.

Joey was the best.

Infinity still works

This was the moment I moved to Lemmy. I was hemming and hawing but after Joey I was done. Would love to see a Joey for Lemmy someday.

Meh. Very little sympathy for people betting their livelihood on proprietary technologies.

The entire economy, central banks and land are mostly private too, do you hold common people in contempt for not having a form of democratic ownership over them?