I'm reading many people complaining about the app being abandoned, not being updated for a long time.
Have you tried contacting the developer with your issues?
They last replied to a review on Google Play on 13th Jan 2025. Someone else also mentioned that they received a response via DM. So the developer is definitely still alive.
The app is free to use. It's great if you chose to support the developer by paying for the ad-removal or subscription. Unfortunately, I don't believe the user base is large enough to allow the developer to work on it full-time, or even part time.
Personally, I think Sync is a passion project, hence the original Reddit version was so good. The downside with passion projects is that you work on them when you have time and inspiration to work on them.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that all the negativity won't help inspire the developer to dedicate more time to the project.
It would be more helpful to compile a list of bugs and issues, and forward them to the developer.
As mentioned in my original post, the developer account on Google Play did respond to one of the reviews, asking the reviewer to clarify their issues. They would not be asking that if they have abandoned the project completely.
This developer is known for being MIA for long periods of time. Yes, this time it has been extra long.
We don't know what is going on in their life. They could be dealing with mental health or other personal issues. They could have a new baby. Someone very close to them could have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. They are working on the next big thing that could make them 100 million, and set their family up for life.
The point is, sometimes life gets away from you, and you drop the ball on less important things.
Great so why can't he take 30 seconds out of a year to say that? I'm sure people would understand. The issue everyone is having is the lack of updates. So essentially yes it is abandoned. No updates either way, no word from developer either way been over a year = abandoned.
Great he responded to you but did he say when the next update will be? Or explain the lack of updates? I mean we could all makes guesses but the fact of the matter is it's been abandoned and in its current state is broken. There is no reason to use it.
Additionally this is hurting Lemmy in general. People will try to use sync for Lemmy because it's familiar and not realize the issues they are having are with sync because it's broken not Lemmy. Then stop using Lemmy. I know you're well intentioned but you shouldn't give people hope when you know nothing more than anyone else.