feature_request: Flatpak installation progress feedback to user

[jellyant]

What problem does this solve?

Hi vikdevelop,
Regarding this wiki statement: "Flatpak installation and removal start after you log back into the system."
In my experience, this process was hard to track. These are the things I encountered:

• After log back in, nothing happened, so I did the import again.
• In the second login attempt I was more patient, and I noticed after a while apps started to appear.
• The apps were slow to appear, and I was clueless if it had finished importing all the apps since I had many.
• I ended up using the CPU usage as an indicator of the progress.

Who benefits and how?

This will benefit people that use the flatpak restore feature.
It matters for improved user experience.

Proposed solution (optional)

One approach could be to show a notification that app install/removal is in progress.
Then another notification when the task is done.

Else, maybe the SaveDesktop app itself could show some info.

Scope check

• This request is related to desktop configuration backup/restore/sync

[vikdevelop]

The current design intentionally installs and removes Flatpak applications silently in the background after login. The process is persistent and resumes automatically if interrupted, so it is safe even if you log out during installation.

However, I understand that the lack of visible feedback can be confusing, especially when restoring many applications.

I will consider adding a minimal notification when the Flatpak restore starts and another one when it finishes, so users know that the process is running and completed.

[jellyant]

Awesome, thanks! Looking forward to it. Let me know you need help testing.

[vikdevelop]

I'd say this feature is already finished, so if you want, you can try it by following these steps:

1. Download the Flatpak artifact from CI:
   • Direct link: https://github.com/vikdevelop/SaveDesktop/actions/runs/23384515598/artifacts/6040709242
   • Or open https://github.com/vikdevelop/SaveDesktop/actions/runs/23384515598 and download SaveDesktop-flatpak
2. Extract the downloaded archive
3. Install the Flatpak:

flatpak install ./io.github.vikdevelop.SaveDesktop.flatpak

4. Run Save Desktop

Let me know what you think about it. :)

[jellyant]

The app doesn't open:( I get this error: ldconfig failed; exit status 256 when opening with gnome store.

[vikdevelop]

I fixed the bug, so you can install this test build the same as before from this link:
https://github.com/vikdevelop/SaveDesktop/actions/runs/23410642044/artifacts/6048588422

[jellyant]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I've been meaning to test it, but I have had some challenges.
I'm testing with a semistable setup and I wanted to make the test more relevant by improving the backup coverage.
However, I have encountered errors when trying to include the /home folder or the ~/.local/share/keyrings.
I will have to report that in a separate issue.
In the meantime, I will try backing up from the desktop and restoring on the phone.
I hope to report back soon, once I sort things out.