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Updating flutter and firebase

Why update flutter?

  • stay up to date
  • replace deprecated plugins
  • implement new features (e.g., asking for device password)
  • easier localization

Problems with firebase cloud messaging (FCM)

The official plugin for FCM underwent a mayor rework together with the underlying platform sdk(s). This makes it necessary to adapt our app.

What are possible ways to use FCM now:

1. Use a secondary FirebaseApp

Pro:

  • This is what we currently do

Con:

  • This is not possible anymore because of api changes in the platform sdk(s)

It is unclear if/when google's engineering team will make it possible

2. Initialize default FirebaseApp from code

Pro:

  • Allows similar behaviour to current implementation

Con:

  • Requires custom changes made to the plugin(s)
  • Does not work on Android if the app is terminated
  • Same behaviour as when using google-services.json does not seem possible
  • Unknown if it works on iOS

On iOS talking to the APNS directly could be an alternative. Support for background notifications must be ended.

3. 'Hard code' FirebaseApp

Pro:

  • The 'recommended' way, i.e., the only thing information and support is actually available for
  • Less work for implementation / does not require code changes
  • SLA customers can supply own firebase configuration

Con:

  • Needs mayor changes on app and server side
  • Mayor change for customers / firebase is not in their hands anymore (and never was for iOS?)
  • netknights is responsible for the firebase project
  • Need a possibility to reach the firebase service which requires a service key. Generating a service key for each privacyIDEA instance seems infeasible.
    • Maybe we provide an API endpoint and redirect to firebase?
  • More work when building app / app may be needed to be build multiple times

Because firebase only acts as the delivery service for challenges it should not be a big challenge to change which project is used. The combination of serial and fbToken guarantees delivery to correct recipient.