Raw signing with polkadot.js and parity signer is not possible due to outdated polkadot.js extension version in Chrome and Firefox stores

[nud3l]

• I'm submitting a ...

• Bug report
• Feature request
• Support request
• Other

• What is the current behavior and expected behavior?

Judging from novasamatech/parity-signer#1332 and #1155, I was expecting that I can sign raw data using accounts in the parity signer via polkadot.js.

However, when I try to sign raw data, I get "Raw data signing not supported for QR wallets" error:

When injecting the same account with the parity signer companion extension, I can sign raw data.

• What is the motivation for changing the behavior?

Polkadot.js extension and the signer companion should behave the same.

• Please tell us about your environment:

• Version: 0.44.1

• Environment:

  • Node.js
  • Browser: Firefox
  • Other (limited support for other environments)

• Language:

  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript (include tsc --version)
  • Other

[nud3l]

I'm thinking it might be related that the versions in the firefox and chrome store 0.44.1 are older than the version in which the fix #1155 is included?

[Tbaut]

Indeed, building from master will allow you to sign raw messages. The live extension hasn't got a release since the fix was merged.

[nud3l]

Is there any plan to update the version in the Firefox and Chrome stores? I have no issue with updating the polkadot.js, but our average users that use the polkadot signer likely will not go through that.

[jpangelle]

FYI, this is also creating an issue for Talisman too since they use the polkadot extension logic:

Currently Talisman inherits its signing logic directly from the polkadot.js extension.

Source

[bkchr]

@jacogr would it be possible to get a release out?

[FlorianFranzen]

@bkchr There has not been no new release in over 2 years! Could we please do something about it? (see #1291 for discussion)

[kianenigma]

any updates on this? Quite a blocker for many ppl it seems.

In the short term, @Tbaut has told me the only way so to build a custom version of the extension. Do you have the code for that in a fork that we can use?

[Tbaut]

If you build master following these instructions, you'll be able to run the latest version of the extension and benefit from the features that have been added in the past years.

[bkchr]

We don't have access to the chrome nor firefox stores. I'm on it, but maybe we need to bite the bullet and create a new extension.

[ggwpez]

I think Talisman + Parity Signer can sign raw data.

[TarikGul]

We don't have access to the chrome nor firefox stores. I'm on it, but maybe we need to bite the bullet and create a new extension.

I like the idea of us having a backup plan. Maybe we can decide a hard date where if we don't get access by then we can start the transition to a new release under a different extension with a migration guide.