Sending texts while an attachment is still loading/sending causes desync between texts on different devices

[MMachado05]

• I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

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Bug description

When I send an attachment over a weak signal (hah!), and then immediately start sending other messages, the newer messages can send before the attachment message does, thus making the illusion of a reversed send order on other devices. This is confusing UX that can lead to textual miscommunications.

Steps to reproduce

• Establish a weak connection, or completely disable your connection for testing purposes.
• Send an attachment.
• Send a message with no attachment.
• If disconnected, reconnect such that the smaller, non-attachment text is delivered first.

Actual result:
Receiving devices get the messages in delivered order, rather than sent order.

Expected result:
Messages should be received in sent order.

Screenshots

The message combo from the sending device (my phone):

The message combo from the receiving device (my laptop):

Device info

Device: iPhone 16

iOS version: 18.7.1

Signal version: 7.84 (1140) (What do the parentheses mean anyways? Should I omit them?)

Link to debug log

Debug log link.

[sashaweiss-signal]

Hi, thanks for reporting. This is the intended behavior – we don't want a large media upload to block subsequent text messages that can be sent quickly. You're correct that there's a tradeoff here between getting the text messages out more quickly vs. preserving ordering, which is what you're experiencing.

(What do the parentheses mean anyways? Should I omit them?)

The parenthesized number is the "build number", and is very helpful for us in identifying which version you're using!

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Thanks again for reporting, and as always for being a Signal user.