u/NetworkRetard

I'm sharing this because Symfonium comes up often in de-Google and self-hosted communities, and support quality matters for a paid app, especially on non-standard setups. Sometimes it even is mentioned in privacy subs due to degoogling alone.

Background: I asked a compatibility question about running the app on a de-Googled Pixel. I didn't get a clear answer, but donated based on information from an older forum thread about how licensing/support worked via Ko-fi.

This thread to be exact, before the developer updated it:

https://web.archive.org/web/20260217230146/https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290

This is the thread after he updated it after our conversation (as of 7/14/26 - 10 edits):
https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290

What happened after donating:

• License remained locked on two devices (one de-Googled, one not).
• I sent a detailed list of troubleshooting steps already taken (restored license, restarted, force-stopped, cleared cache, rebooted both devices, tested on two devices).
• Instead of engaging with that, I was pointed to the general licensing FAQ, which covers Google Play/Ko-fi licensing scenarios but not my situation.
  • https://docs.symfonium.app/faq/license-faq-common-questions-and-troubleshooting/
• After explaining the FAQ didn't apply to my situation, the reply I received was "Read better and provide the mandatory logs ;)"
• I said I no longer wanted to continue troubleshooting and asked for a refund based on the support experience. Messages continued after that, including being called a "karen."
• I reported the exchange and blocked the developer.

After I posted about this: The developer replied publicly (in another subreddit and in comments on my post), referenced my Reddit account and karma history by name, and continued the exchange even though I'd already blocked him and stated I didn't want further contact. That reply is here if you want the full context: https://www.reddit.com/r/degoogle/comments/1uvn40j/my_awful_experience_with_symfonium_support/

Why I'm posting this: My concern is specifically about how a support disagreement was handled... a public reply that identifies a user's account after they've disengaged is worth knowing about if you're deciding whether to pay for or rely on this app, particularly if you're already choosing de-Googled tools because privacy matters to you.

I've reported the harassment on the relevant platforms. Posting this so others are aware.

I wanted to share my experience because this app is frequently recommended in self-hosted and de-Googled communities, and I think it's worth considering how support is handled if you're running a non-standard Android setup.

Before donating, I reached out with a compatibility question about using the app on a de-Googled Pixel. I didn't receive a clear answer, but I decided to donate anyway and proceed with the installation.

After restoring my donation license, the app remained locked on both of my devices, including one that was not de-Googled.

I then sent a detailed explanation of everything I had already tried:

• Restored the license.
• Restarted the app.
• Force stopped it.
• Cleared the cache.
• Rebooted both phones.
• Verified the same behavior on two different devices.

Rather than responding to the information I had already provided, I was directed to the generic licensing FAQ.

I read it, but it primarily discusses Google Play Services and common licensing scenarios. It didn't address the issue I was experiencing or the troubleshooting steps I had already taken.

I replied explaining that I had already read the FAQ and that it didn't apply to my situation.

The response I received was:

>"Read better and provide the mandatory logs ;)"

At that point, I decided I no longer wanted to continue the troubleshooting process. I told him that I was done discussing the issue and that I simply wanted a refund on the basis of poor customer service. What's even more hilarious is I have several CSR certifications so I know when I am being treated poorly.

Instead of ending the conversation, he continued sending replies after I had clearly stated that I no longer wished to continue the discussion. I repeated that I only wanted my refund, but the messages continued, with the developer even calling me a karen.... Eventually, I reported the conversation and blocked him because I no longer wanted any further contact and it was constantly bothering me with blowing up my phone...

My expectation wasn't that the app would work perfectly the first time. Software bugs happen. My concern was how the support request was handled and how the interaction continued after I had explicitly asked to end it.

From my perspective:

• My original compatibility question never received a clear answer.
• The troubleshooting information I took the time to provide wasn't acknowledged.
• I was directed to documentation that didn't address my situation.
• Instead of simply asking for the logs needed to investigate the problem, I was told to "read better."
• After I stated that I no longer wished to continue the discussion and only wanted a refund, the conversation continued until I ultimately reported and blocked further contact.

I'm sharing this because support is an important part of any paid software, especially for users running GrapheneOS, CalyxOS, /e/OS, de-Googled Pixels, or other privacy-focused Android environments.

I'm curious whether others using these kinds of setups have had similar experiences with support, or whether mine was an isolated case. As this was the worst interaction I have ever had with a developer.

Edit: I have also blocked the developer out of fear of further harassment. I just was notified by Reddit mods that my harassment report has been recognized. So congratulations u/Tolriq if you end up replying you most likely will be banned.

Edit #2: Looks like Tolriq commented...

https://www.reddit.com/r/degoogle/comments/1uvn40j/my_awful_experience_with_symfonium_support/

u/Tolriq

Due to Redditors removing comments, I am reposting their reply here. Updated due to changes and addressing each point.

--

"Before donating, I asked a straightforward question about how the app would work with Pixel Private Space and Android's sandboxing. Since my phone is de-Googled, I wanted to make sure it would work before purchasing. That question was never answered.

You actually donated while sending that question on the wrong place. You did not follow the procedure. You were linked to the documentation, told me you had read the documentation, pointed you that you did not as did not provided the logs. And then kept giving as much as you could :)"

First, as I already explained to you during our conversation, I was working from information in an older forum thread. That information was outdated, as I found out during our conversation. Before I even messaged you and provided troubleshooting steps, I had already reviewed the troubleshooting link you provided.

For other Redditors, here is the forum and the documentation:

[https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290](https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290)

See how his response was updated? Today even? Yep, he revised what was here. Here is what it use to say: [https://web.archive.org/web/20260217230146/https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290](https://web.archive.org/web/20260217230146/https://support.symfonium.app/t/how-can-i-pay-for-symfonium-without-google-play/1290)

What an odd thing to do... But I'm the one doubling down it seems.. hmm...

[https://docs.symfonium.app/faq/license-faq-common-questions-and-troubleshooting/](https://docs.symfonium.app/faq/license-faq-common-questions-and-troubleshooting/)

The documentation covers Google Play and Ko-fi licensing issues, but it does not provide a troubleshooting path for users running de-Googled devices. Because my situation did not match the documented scenarios, the only viable step is to contact support to clarify compatibility and next steps.

The important context that keeps being ignored is that I was operating under outdated information I had from older discussions, where Ko-fi was presented as the way to handle donations, licenses, and communication. I explained this during our conversation, but it continues to be left out and ignored by the developer, even in their current replies...

--

"This was a complementary service I provide where I actually lose money to help people degoogle. If you could not follow a simple procedure, then it was probably not the proper solution for you."

Many users find applications like this through self-hosted and privacy-focused communities specifically because they are looking for alternatives that work outside the standard Google ecosystem. If supporting de-Googled users is considered a complementary service that is provided at a personal cost, and users who misunderstand the process are told that it may not be the proper solution for them, then that is important context for those users to understand before purchasing.

My issue was not that I expected unlimited free support or special treatment. My issue was that I was trying to confirm compatibility before purchasing, using the information available to me at the time, and when that misunderstanding happened, the response I received was dismissive rather than helpful.

This interaction has given me additional context about whether this is the right solution for users in de-Googled environments, which is why I am continuing with my refund request as already stated.

--

"You still had proper support at 10 PM after each of your messages and a refund despite your actions ..."

My concern was never that you couldn't solve the problem immediately.

My concern was that the troubleshooting information I provided was not acknowledged, I was directed back to documentation that did not address the situation I described, and when I explained that, I was told: "Read better and provide the mandatory logs ;)".

If logs were required, I would have provided them. The issue was not the request for logs... it was the way the situation was handled and the response I received after explaining my circumstances.

--

"Edit: I missed your name, it matches and your negative Karma is also impressive, I guess this confirms what happened. And blocking me just confirm you only want your side of the story :) I'm nice to nice people, there's a lot more satisfied than Karen's even if the Karen's number are unfortunately growing those days.

Edit2: Since I can't answer as you blocked me ;) This is a public space as far as I know ;) And yes YOU SENT me dozens of messages telling me to stop sending you messages instead of just not sending messages as any normal person would do. Again you did not follow the procedure making lose time and money and decided that somehow I owed you custom dedicated personal support, because not only rules don't apply to you, but I must obey?

Ho and of course spreading lies on every sub is a normal behavior and not the actual harassment.... So much projection on your side that it's funny."

Your response illustrates the issue I described in my post.

I'm not interested in debating this further. I'm simply sharing my experience so others can decide for themselves.

You have now been reported again for harassment. This situation has gone beyond a disagreement about software support.

The fact that you identified my Reddit account and referenced personal account details after I posted my experience is extremely concerning. Jumping to another platform to identify and address someone who had already ended the conversation is not something I expected, and it honestly makes me concerned about my privacy and safety.

Reddit moderators have been notified, and I have updated my Ko-fi report with this additional information. I have also locked down this Reddit account and will no longer be using it for anything outside of this discussion.

At this point, I am stepping away from further communication. The purpose of my posts was to share my experience and allow others to make their own decisions.

--

Let this be a warning to degoogled users and the privacy community. Its sad the dev is missing the point of the entire issue... Which is.. Poor customer service, then editing forums of information said customer uses as a resource then calling them a karen and "can't read".

Sure kid, whatever helps you sleep at night. Hoping to spread the word for others to avoid situations like this... its a plague... Now i am even more upset knowing that he manipulated information I was using as a source... Imagine what he does to the code of the app then? Most degooglers are privacy people... This screams red flags.