Refactor layouts for alias and link dialogs.

This commit also uses LiveData Transformations to expose contact related information

bramble-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/bramble/api/identity/AuthorInfo.java

@@ -10,7 +10,11 @@ import javax.annotation.concurrent.Immutable;
 public class AuthorInfo {
 
 	public enum Status {
-		NONE, ANONYMOUS, UNKNOWN, UNVERIFIED, VERIFIED, OURSELVES
+		NONE, ANONYMOUS, UNKNOWN, UNVERIFIED, VERIFIED, OURSELVES;
+
+		public boolean isContact() {
+			return this == UNVERIFIED || this == VERIFIED;
+		}
 	}
 
 	private final Status status;

briar-android/build.gradle

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ dependencies {
 	implementation "com.android.support:cardview-v7:$supportVersion"
 	implementation "com.android.support:support-annotations:$supportVersion"
 	implementation 'com.android.support.constraint:constraint-layout:1.1.3'
+	implementation "android.arch.lifecycle:extensions:1.1.1"
 
 	implementation('ch.acra:acra:4.11') {
 		exclude module: 'support-v4'

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/AndroidComponent.java

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.system.LocationUtils;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.plugin.tor.CircumventionProvider;
 import org.briarproject.briar.BriarCoreEagerSingletons;
 import org.briarproject.briar.BriarCoreModule;
+import org.briarproject.briar.android.contact.ConversationViewModel;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.login.SignInReminderReceiver;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.reporting.BriarReportSender;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.view.TextInputView;
@@ -164,6 +165,8 @@ public interface AndroidComponent
 
 	void inject(TextInputView textInputView);
 
+	void inject(ConversationViewModel conversationViewModel);
+
 	// Eager singleton load
 	void inject(AppModule.EagerSingletons init);
 }

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/blog/BlogPostViewHolder.java

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import android.view.ViewGroup;
 import android.widget.ImageButton;
 import android.widget.TextView;
 
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.MessageId;
 import org.briarproject.briar.R;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.view.AuthorView;
@@ -98,9 +97,7 @@ class BlogPostViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 
 		// author and date
 		BlogPostHeader post = item.getPostHeader();
-		Author a = post.getAuthor();
+		author.setAuthor(post.getAuthor(), post.getAuthorInfo());
-		author.setAuthor(a);
-		author.setAuthorInfo(post.getAuthorInfo());
 		author.setDate(post.getTimestamp());
 		author.setPersona(
 				item.isRssFeed() ? AuthorView.RSS_FEED : AuthorView.NORMAL);
@@ -143,8 +140,7 @@ class BlogPostViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 
 	private void onBindComment(BlogCommentItem item) {
 		// reblogger
-		reblogger.setAuthor(item.getAuthor());
+		reblogger.setAuthor(item.getAuthor(), item.getAuthorInfo());
-		reblogger.setAuthorInfo(item.getAuthorInfo());
 		reblogger.setDate(item.getTimestamp());
 		if (!fullText) {
 			reblogger.setAuthorClickable(v -> listener.onAuthorClick(item));
@@ -165,8 +161,7 @@ class BlogPostViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 			AuthorView author = v.findViewById(R.id.authorView);
 			TextView text = v.findViewById(R.id.textView);
 
-			author.setAuthor(c.getAuthor());
+			author.setAuthor(c.getAuthor(), c.getAuthorInfo());
-			author.setAuthorInfo(c.getAuthorInfo());
 			author.setDate(c.getTimestamp());
 			// TODO make author clickable #624
 

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/AliasDialogFragment.java

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+package org.briarproject.briar.android.contact;
+
+import android.arch.lifecycle.ViewModelProviders;
+import android.os.Bundle;
+import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
+import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatDialogFragment;
+import android.view.LayoutInflater;
+import android.view.View;
+import android.view.ViewGroup;
+import android.widget.Button;
+import android.widget.EditText;
+
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.Contact;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId;
+import org.briarproject.briar.R;
+
+public class AliasDialogFragment extends AppCompatDialogFragment {
+
+	final static String TAG = AliasDialogFragment.class.getName();
+
+	private ConversationViewModel viewModel;
+	private ContactId contactId;
+	private EditText aliasEditText;
+
+	public static AliasDialogFragment newInstance(ContactId id) {
+		AliasDialogFragment f = new AliasDialogFragment();
+
+		Bundle args = new Bundle();
+		args.putInt("contactId", id.getInt());
+		f.setArguments(args);
+
+		return f;
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
+		super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
+
+		if (getArguments() == null) throw new IllegalArgumentException();
+		int contactIdInt = getArguments().getInt("contactId", -1);
+		if (contactIdInt == -1) throw new IllegalArgumentException();
+		contactId = new ContactId(contactIdInt);
+
+		setStyle(STYLE_NO_TITLE, R.style.BriarDialogTheme);
+
+		viewModel =
+				ViewModelProviders.of(getActivity()).get(ConversationViewModel.class);
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public View onCreateView(@NonNull LayoutInflater inflater,
+			ViewGroup container, Bundle savedInstanceState) {
+
+		View v = inflater.inflate(R.layout.fragment_alias_dialog, container,
+				false);
+
+		aliasEditText = v.findViewById(R.id.aliasEditText);
+		Contact contact = viewModel.getContact().getValue();
+		String alias = contact == null ? null : contact.getAlias();
+		aliasEditText.setText(alias);
+		if (alias != null) aliasEditText.setSelection(alias.length());
+
+		Button setButton = v.findViewById(R.id.setButton);
+		setButton.setOnClickListener(v1 -> {
+			viewModel.setContactAlias(contactId,
+					aliasEditText.getText().toString());
+			getDialog().dismiss();
+		});
+
+		Button cancelButton = v.findViewById(R.id.cancelButton);
+		cancelButton.setOnClickListener(v1 -> getDialog().cancel());
+
+		return v;
+	}
+}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/BaseContactListAdapter.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.android.contact;
 
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
 import android.view.View;
 
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId;
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.android.util.BriarAdapter;
 import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 
 import static android.support.v7.util.SortedList.INVALID_POSITION;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 public abstract class BaseContactListAdapter<I extends ContactItem, VH extends ContactItemViewHolder<I>>
 		extends BriarAdapter<I, VH> {
@@ -23,15 +25,15 @@ public abstract class BaseContactListAdapter<I extends ContactItem, VH extends C
 	}
 
 	@Override
-	public void onBindViewHolder(VH ui, int position) {
+	public void onBindViewHolder(@NonNull VH ui, int position) {
 		I item = items.get(position);
 		ui.bind(item, listener);
 	}
 
 	@Override
 	public int compare(I c1, I c2) {
-		return c1.getContact().getAuthor().getName()
+		return getContactDisplayName(c1.getContact())
-				.compareTo(c2.getContact().getAuthor().getName());
+				.compareTo(getContactDisplayName(c2.getContact()));
 	}
 
 	@Override

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/ContactItemViewHolder.java

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 
 import im.delight.android.identicons.IdenticonDrawable;
 
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
+
 @UiThread
 @NotNullByDefault
 public class ContactItemViewHolder<I extends ContactItem>
@@ -41,8 +43,7 @@ public class ContactItemViewHolder<I extends ContactItem>
 		Author author = item.getContact().getAuthor();
 		avatar.setImageDrawable(
 				new IdenticonDrawable(author.getId().getBytes()));
-		String contactName = author.getName();
+		name.setText(getContactDisplayName(item.getContact()));
-		name.setText(contactName);
 
 		if (bulb != null) {
 			// online/offline

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/ConversationActivity.java

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.android.contact;
 
-import android.arch.lifecycle.MutableLiveData;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.LiveData;
 import android.arch.lifecycle.Observer;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.ViewModelProviders;
 import android.content.DialogInterface;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.os.Bundle;
@@ -23,7 +24,6 @@ import android.widget.TextView;
 import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.FormatException;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.Contact;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.event.ContactRemovedEvent;
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.NoSuchContactException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.Event;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.EventBus;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.EventListener;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorId;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.MethodsNotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.ParametersNotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.plugin.ConnectionRegistry;
@@ -131,8 +130,8 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 	Executor cryptoExecutor;
 
 	private final Map<MessageId, String> textCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-	private final MutableLiveData<String> contactName = new MutableLiveData<>();
 
+	private ConversationViewModel viewModel;
 	private ConversationVisitor visitor;
 	private ConversationAdapter adapter;
 	private Toolbar toolbar;
@@ -166,8 +165,6 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 
 	private volatile ContactId contactId;
 	@Nullable
-	private volatile AuthorId contactAuthorId;
-	@Nullable
 	private volatile GroupId messagingGroupId;
 
 	@SuppressWarnings("ConstantConditions")
@@ -176,6 +173,9 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 		setSceneTransitionAnimation();
 		super.onCreate(state);
 
+		viewModel =
+				ViewModelProviders.of(this).get(ConversationViewModel.class);
+
 		Intent i = getIntent();
 		int id = i.getIntExtra(CONTACT_ID, -1);
 		if (id == -1) throw new IllegalStateException();
@@ -185,16 +185,29 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 
 		// Custom Toolbar
 		toolbar = setUpCustomToolbar(true);
-		if (toolbar != null) {
 		toolbarAvatar = toolbar.findViewById(R.id.contactAvatar);
 		toolbarStatus = toolbar.findViewById(R.id.contactStatus);
 		toolbarTitle = toolbar.findViewById(R.id.contactName);
-		}
+
+		viewModel.getContactAuthorId().observe(this, authorId -> {
+			toolbarAvatar.setImageDrawable(
+					new IdenticonDrawable(authorId.getBytes()));
+			// we only need this once
+			viewModel.getContactAuthorId().removeObservers(this);
+		});
+		viewModel.getContactDisplayName().observe(this, contactName -> {
+			toolbarTitle.setText(contactName);
+		});
+		viewModel.isContactDeleted().observe(this, deleted -> {
+			if (deleted != null && deleted) finish();
+		});
+		viewModel.loadContact(contactId);
 
 		setTransitionName(toolbarAvatar, getAvatarTransitionName(contactId));
 		setTransitionName(toolbarStatus, getBulbTransitionName(contactId));
 
-		visitor = new ConversationVisitor(this, this, contactName);
+		visitor = new ConversationVisitor(this, this,
+				viewModel.getContactDisplayName());
 		adapter = new ConversationAdapter(this, this);
 		list = findViewById(R.id.conversationView);
 		list.setLayoutManager(new LinearLayoutManager(this));
@@ -229,7 +242,19 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 		notificationManager.blockContactNotification(contactId);
 		notificationManager.clearContactNotification(contactId);
 		displayContactOnlineStatus();
-		loadContactDetailsAndMessages();
+		LiveData<String> contactName = viewModel.getContactDisplayName();
+		if (contactName.getValue() == null) {
+			// wait for contact name to be initialized
+			contactName.observe(this, new Observer<String>() {
+				@Override
+				public void onChanged(@Nullable String cName) {
+					if (cName != null) {
+						loadMessages();
+						contactName.removeObserver(this);
+					}
+				}
+			});
+		} else loadMessages();
 		list.startPeriodicUpdate();
 	}
 
@@ -266,6 +291,10 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 				intent.putExtra(CONTACT_ID, contactId.getInt());
 				startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_INTRODUCTION);
 				return true;
+			case R.id.action_set_alias:
+				AliasDialogFragment.newInstance(contactId).show(
+						getSupportFragmentManager(), AliasDialogFragment.TAG);
+				return true;
 			case R.id.action_social_remove_person:
 				askToRemoveContact();
 				return true;
@@ -274,36 +303,6 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 		}
 	}
 
-	private void loadContactDetailsAndMessages() {
-		runOnDbThread(() -> {
-			try {
-				long start = now();
-				if (contactAuthorId == null) {
-					Contact contact = contactManager.getContact(contactId);
-					contactName.postValue(contact.getAuthor().getName());
-					contactAuthorId = contact.getAuthor().getId();
-				}
-				logDuration(LOG, "Loading contact", start);
-				loadMessages();
-				displayContactDetails();
-			} catch (NoSuchContactException e) {
-				finishOnUiThread();
-			} catch (DbException e) {
-				logException(LOG, WARNING, e);
-			}
-		});
-	}
-
-	// contactAuthorId and contactName are expected to be set
-	private void displayContactDetails() {
-		runOnUiThreadUnlessDestroyed(() -> {
-			//noinspection ConstantConditions
-			toolbarAvatar.setImageDrawable(
-					new IdenticonDrawable(contactAuthorId.getBytes()));
-			toolbarTitle.setText(contactName.getValue());
-		});
-	}
-
 	private void displayContactOnlineStatus() {
 		runOnUiThreadUnlessDestroyed(() -> {
 			if (connectionRegistry.isConnected(contactId)) {
@@ -453,15 +452,17 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 	private void onNewPrivateMessage(PrivateMessageHeader h) {
 		runOnUiThreadUnlessDestroyed(() -> {
 			if (h instanceof PrivateRequest || h instanceof PrivateResponse) {
-				String cName = contactName.getValue();
+				String cName = viewModel.getContactDisplayName().getValue();
 				if (cName == null) {
 					// Wait for the contact name to be loaded
-					contactName.observe(this, new Observer<String>() {
+					viewModel.getContactDisplayName()
+							.observe(this, new Observer<String>() {
 						@Override
 						public void onChanged(@Nullable String cName) {
 							if (cName != null) {
 								addConversationItem(h.accept(visitor));
-								contactName.removeObserver(this);
+								viewModel.getContactDisplayName()
+										.removeObserver(this);
 							}
 						}
 					});

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/ConversationViewModel.java

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+package org.briarproject.briar.android.contact;
+
+import android.app.Application;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.AndroidViewModel;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.LiveData;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.MutableLiveData;
+import android.arch.lifecycle.Transformations;
+import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
+
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.Contact;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactManager;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DatabaseExecutor;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DbException;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.NoSuchContactException;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorId;
+import org.briarproject.briar.android.AndroidComponent;
+import org.briarproject.briar.android.BriarApplication;
+import org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils;
+
+import java.util.concurrent.Executor;
+import java.util.logging.Logger;
+
+import javax.inject.Inject;
+
+import static java.util.logging.Level.WARNING;
+import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.LogUtils.logDuration;
+import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.LogUtils.logException;
+import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.LogUtils.now;
+
+public class ConversationViewModel extends AndroidViewModel {
+
+	private static Logger LOG =
+			Logger.getLogger(ConversationViewModel.class.getName());
+
+	@Inject
+	@DatabaseExecutor
+	Executor dbExecutor;
+	@Inject
+	ContactManager contactManager;
+
+	private final MutableLiveData<Contact> contact = new MutableLiveData<>();
+	private final LiveData<AuthorId> contactAuthorId =
+			Transformations.map(contact, c -> c.getAuthor().getId());
+	private final LiveData<String> contactName =
+			Transformations.map(contact, UiUtils::getContactDisplayName);
+	private final MutableLiveData<Boolean> contactDeleted =
+			new MutableLiveData<>();
+
+	public ConversationViewModel(@NonNull Application application) {
+		super(application);
+		AndroidComponent component =
+				((BriarApplication) application).getApplicationComponent();
+		component.inject(this);
+		contactDeleted.setValue(false);
+	}
+
+	void loadContact(ContactId contactId) {
+		dbExecutor.execute(() -> {
+			try {
+				long start = now();
+				contact.postValue(contactManager.getContact(contactId));
+				logDuration(LOG, "Loading contact", start);
+			} catch (NoSuchContactException e) {
+				contactDeleted.postValue(true);
+			} catch (DbException e) {
+				logException(LOG, WARNING, e);
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	void setContactAlias(ContactId contactId, String alias) {
+		dbExecutor.execute(() -> {
+			try {
+				contactManager.setContactAlias(contactId,
+						alias.isEmpty() ? null : alias);
+				loadContact(contactId);
+			} catch (DbException e) {
+				logException(LOG, WARNING, e);
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	LiveData<Contact> getContact() {
+		return contact;
+	}
+
+	LiveData<AuthorId> getContactAuthorId() {
+		return contactAuthorId;
+	}
+
+	LiveData<String> getContactDisplayName() {
+		return contactName;
+	}
+
+	LiveData<Boolean> isContactDeleted() {
+		return contactDeleted;
+	}
+
+}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/ConversationVisitor.java

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.android.contact.ConversationRequestItem.Req
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.contact.ConversationRequestItem.RequestType.FORUM;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.contact.ConversationRequestItem.RequestType.GROUP;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.contact.ConversationRequestItem.RequestType.INTRODUCTION;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 @UiThread
 @NotNullByDefault
@@ -188,33 +189,36 @@ class ConversationVisitor implements PrivateMessageVisitor<ConversationItem> {
 
 	@Override
 	public ConversationItem visitIntroductionRequest(IntroductionRequest r) {
+		String name = getContactDisplayName(r.getNameable(), r.getAlias());
 		if (r.isLocal()) {
 			String text = ctx.getString(R.string.introduction_request_sent,
-					contactName.getValue(), r.getName());
+					contactName.getValue(), name);
 			return new ConversationNoticeOutItem(text, r);
 		} else {
 			String text = ctx.getString(R.string.introduction_request_received,
-					contactName.getValue(), r.getName());
+					contactName.getValue(), name);
 			return new ConversationRequestItem(text, INTRODUCTION, r);
 		}
 	}
 
 	@Override
 	public ConversationItem visitIntroductionResponse(IntroductionResponse r) {
+		String introducedAuthor =
+				getContactDisplayName(r.getIntroducedAuthor(),
+						r.getIntroducedAuthorInfo().getAlias());
 		if (r.isLocal()) {
 			String text;
 			if (r.wasAccepted()) {
-				String introducee = r.getIntroducedAuthor().getName();
 				text = ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_accepted_sent,
-						introducee)
+						introducedAuthor)
 						+ "\n\n" + ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_accepted_sent_info,
-						introducee);
+						introducedAuthor);
 			} else {
 				text = ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_declined_sent,
-						r.getIntroducedAuthor().getName());
+						introducedAuthor);
 			}
 			return new ConversationNoticeOutItem(text, r);
 		} else {
@@ -223,17 +227,17 @@ class ConversationVisitor implements PrivateMessageVisitor<ConversationItem> {
 				text = ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_accepted_received,
 						contactName.getValue(),
-						r.getIntroducedAuthor().getName());
+						introducedAuthor);
 			} else if (r.isIntroducer()) {
 				text = ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_declined_received,
 						contactName.getValue(),
-						r.getIntroducedAuthor().getName());
+						introducedAuthor);
 			} else {
 				text = ctx.getString(
 						R.string.introduction_response_declined_received_by_introducee,
 						contactName.getValue(),
-						r.getIntroducedAuthor().getName());
+						introducedAuthor);
 			}
 			return new ConversationNoticeInItem(text, r);
 		}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/introduction/IntroductionMessageFragment.java

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import static android.view.View.VISIBLE;
 import static android.widget.Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;
 import static java.util.logging.Level.WARNING;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.LogUtils.logException;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.introduction.IntroductionConstants.MAX_INTRODUCTION_TEXT_LENGTH;
 
 public class IntroductionMessageFragment extends BaseFragment
@@ -148,8 +149,8 @@ public class IntroductionMessageFragment extends BaseFragment
 					c2.getAuthor().getId().getBytes()));
 
 			// set contact names
-			ui.contactName1.setText(c1.getAuthor().getName());
+			ui.contactName1.setText(getContactDisplayName(c1));
-			ui.contactName2.setText(c2.getAuthor().getName());
+			ui.contactName2.setText(getContactDisplayName(c2));
 
 			// hide progress bar
 			ui.progressBar.setVisibility(GONE);

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/conversation/JoinMessageItemViewHolder.java

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.android.threaded.BaseThreadItemViewHolder;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.threaded.ThreadItemAdapter.ThreadItemListener;
 
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.OURSELVES;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 @UiThread
 @NotNullByDefault
@@ -36,24 +37,27 @@ class JoinMessageItemViewHolder
 		if (item.isInitial()) {
 			textView.setText(R.string.groups_member_created_you);
 		} else {
-			textView.setText(
+			String name = getContactDisplayName(item.getAuthor(),
-					getContext().getString(R.string.groups_member_joined,
+					item.getAuthorInfo().getAlias());
-							item.getAuthor().getName()));
+			textView.setText(getContext()
+					.getString(R.string.groups_member_joined, name));
 		}
 	}
 
 	private void bind(JoinMessageItem item) {
 		Context ctx = getContext();
+		String name = getContactDisplayName(item.getAuthor(),
+				item.getAuthorInfo().getAlias());
 
 		if (item.isInitial()) {
-			textView.setText(ctx.getString(R.string.groups_member_created,
+			textView.setText(
-					item.getAuthor().getName()));
+					ctx.getString(R.string.groups_member_created, name));
 		} else {
 			if (item.getAuthorInfo().getStatus() == OURSELVES) {
 				textView.setText(R.string.groups_member_joined_you);
 			} else {
-				textView.setText(ctx.getString(R.string.groups_member_joined,
+				textView.setText(
-						item.getAuthor().getName()));
+						ctx.getString(R.string.groups_member_joined, name));
 			}
 		}
 	}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/invitation/GroupInvitationViewHolder.java

@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.invitation.GroupInvitationItem;
 
 import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
+
 class GroupInvitationViewHolder
 		extends InvitationViewHolder<GroupInvitationItem> {
 
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ class GroupInvitationViewHolder
 
 		sharedBy.setText(
 				sharedBy.getContext().getString(R.string.groups_created_by,
-						item.getCreator().getAuthor().getName()));
+						getContactDisplayName(item.getCreator())));
 	}
 
 }

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/list/GroupItem.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.android.privategroup.list;
 
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.GroupId;
 import org.briarproject.briar.api.client.MessageTracker.GroupCount;
@@ -12,12 +13,15 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.PrivateGroup;
 class GroupItem {
 
 	private final PrivateGroup privateGroup;
+	private final AuthorInfo authorInfo;
 	private int messageCount, unreadCount;
 	private long timestamp;
 	private boolean dissolved;
 
-	GroupItem(PrivateGroup privateGroup, GroupCount count, boolean dissolved) {
+	GroupItem(PrivateGroup privateGroup, AuthorInfo authorInfo,
+			GroupCount count, boolean dissolved) {
 		this.privateGroup = privateGroup;
+		this.authorInfo = authorInfo;
 		this.messageCount = count.getMsgCount();
 		this.unreadCount = count.getUnreadCount();
 		this.timestamp = count.getLatestMsgTime();
@@ -46,6 +50,10 @@ class GroupItem {
 		return privateGroup.getCreator();
 	}
 
+	AuthorInfo getCreatorInfo() {
+		return authorInfo;
+	}
+
 	String getName() {
 		return privateGroup.getName();
 	}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/list/GroupListControllerImpl.java

@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@ package org.briarproject.briar.android.privategroup.list;
 
 import android.support.annotation.CallSuper;
 
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DatabaseExecutor;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DbException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.NoSuchGroupException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.Event;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.EventBus;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.event.EventListener;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorId;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.lifecycle.LifecycleManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.MethodsNotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.ParametersNotNullByDefault;
@@ -30,7 +33,9 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.invitation.GroupInvitationManager
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.concurrent.Executor;
 import java.util.logging.Logger;
 
@@ -52,6 +57,7 @@ class GroupListControllerImpl extends DbControllerImpl
 
 	private final PrivateGroupManager groupManager;
 	private final GroupInvitationManager groupInvitationManager;
+	private final ContactManager contactManager;
 	private final AndroidNotificationManager notificationManager;
 	private final EventBus eventBus;
 
@@ -61,10 +67,12 @@ class GroupListControllerImpl extends DbControllerImpl
 	GroupListControllerImpl(@DatabaseExecutor Executor dbExecutor,
 			LifecycleManager lifecycleManager, PrivateGroupManager groupManager,
 			GroupInvitationManager groupInvitationManager,
+			ContactManager contactManager,
 			AndroidNotificationManager notificationManager, EventBus eventBus) {
 		super(dbExecutor, lifecycleManager);
 		this.groupManager = groupManager;
 		this.groupInvitationManager = groupInvitationManager;
+		this.contactManager = contactManager;
 		this.notificationManager = notificationManager;
 		this.eventBus = eventBus;
 	}
@@ -153,12 +161,22 @@ class GroupListControllerImpl extends DbControllerImpl
 				Collection<PrivateGroup> groups =
 						groupManager.getPrivateGroups();
 				List<GroupItem> items = new ArrayList<>(groups.size());
+				Map<AuthorId, AuthorInfo> authorInfos = new HashMap<>();
 				for (PrivateGroup g : groups) {
 					try {
 						GroupId id = g.getId();
+						AuthorId authorId = g.getCreator().getId();
+						AuthorInfo authorInfo;
+						if (authorInfos.containsKey(authorId)) {
+							authorInfo = authorInfos.get(authorId);
+						} else {
+							authorInfo = contactManager.getAuthorInfo(authorId);
+							authorInfos.put(authorId, authorInfo);
+						}
 						GroupCount count = groupManager.getGroupCount(id);
 						boolean dissolved = groupManager.isDissolved(id);
-						items.add(new GroupItem(g, count, dissolved));
+						items.add(
+								new GroupItem(g, authorInfo, count, dissolved));
 					} catch (NoSuchGroupException e) {
 						// Continue
 					}

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/list/GroupViewHolder.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import static android.view.View.GONE;
 import static android.view.View.VISIBLE;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.activity.BriarActivity.GROUP_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.activity.BriarActivity.GROUP_NAME;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 @MethodsNotNullByDefault
 @ParametersNotNullByDefault
@@ -60,8 +61,9 @@ class GroupViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 		name.setText(group.getName());
 
 		// Creator
-		creator.setText(ctx.getString(R.string.groups_created_by,
+		String creatorName = getContactDisplayName(group.getCreator(),
-				group.getCreator().getName()));
+				group.getCreatorInfo().getAlias());
+		creator.setText(ctx.getString(R.string.groups_created_by, creatorName));
 
 		if (!group.isDissolved()) {
 			// full visibility

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/memberlist/MemberListAdapter.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.android.privategroup.memberlist;
 
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
 import android.view.LayoutInflater;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.view.ViewGroup;
@@ -8,6 +9,8 @@ import android.view.ViewGroup;
 import org.briarproject.briar.R;
 import org.briarproject.briar.android.util.BriarAdapter;
 
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
+
 class MemberListAdapter extends
 		BriarAdapter<MemberListItem, MemberListItemHolder> {
 
@@ -15,8 +18,9 @@ class MemberListAdapter extends
 		super(context, MemberListItem.class);
 	}
 
+	@NonNull
 	@Override
-	public MemberListItemHolder onCreateViewHolder(ViewGroup viewGroup,
+	public MemberListItemHolder onCreateViewHolder(@NonNull ViewGroup viewGroup,
 			int i) {
 		View v = LayoutInflater.from(ctx).inflate(
 				R.layout.list_item_group_member, viewGroup, false);
@@ -24,13 +28,18 @@ class MemberListAdapter extends
 	}
 
 	@Override
-	public void onBindViewHolder(MemberListItemHolder ui, int position) {
+	public void onBindViewHolder(@NonNull MemberListItemHolder ui,
+			int position) {
 		ui.bind(items.get(position));
 	}
 
 	@Override
 	public int compare(MemberListItem m1, MemberListItem m2) {
-		return m1.getMember().getName().compareTo(m2.getMember().getName());
+		String n1 = getContactDisplayName(m1.getMember(),
+				m1.getAuthorInfo().getAlias());
+		String n2 = getContactDisplayName(m2.getMember(),
+				m2.getAuthorInfo().getAlias());
+		return n1.compareTo(n2);
 	}
 
 	@Override

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/memberlist/MemberListItemHolder.java

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.android.view.AuthorView;
 import static android.view.View.GONE;
 import static android.view.View.VISIBLE;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.OURSELVES;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 @UiThread
 @NotNullByDefault
@@ -31,8 +32,7 @@ class MemberListItemHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 
 	protected void bind(MemberListItem item) {
 		// member name, avatar and status
-		author.setAuthor(item.getMember());
+		author.setAuthor(item.getMember(), item.getAuthorInfo());
-		author.setAuthorInfo(item.getAuthorInfo());
 
 		// online status of visible contacts
 		if (item.getContactId() != null) {
@@ -52,9 +52,10 @@ class MemberListItemHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
 			if (item.getStatus() == OURSELVES) {
 				creator.setText(R.string.groups_member_created_you);
 			} else {
+				String name = getContactDisplayName(item.getMember(),
+						item.getAuthorInfo().getAlias());
 				creator.setText(creator.getContext()
-						.getString(R.string.groups_member_created,
+						.getString(R.string.groups_member_created, name));
-								item.getMember().getName()));
 			}
 		} else {
 			creator.setVisibility(GONE);

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/privategroup/reveal/RevealableContactViewHolder.java

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.privategroup.VisibilityHelper.getVisibilityIcon;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.privategroup.VisibilityHelper.getVisibilityString;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.GREY_OUT;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 
 @UiThread
 @NotNullByDefault
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ class RevealableContactViewHolder
 		icon.setImageResource(getVisibilityIcon(item.getVisibility()));
 		info.setText(
 				getVisibilityString(info.getContext(), item.getVisibility(),
-						item.getContact().getAuthor().getName()));
+						getContactDisplayName(item.getContact())));
 	}
 
 	@Override

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/sharing/SharingInvitationViewHolder.java

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ import java.util.Collection;
 
 import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
+
 class SharingInvitationViewHolder
 		extends InvitationViewHolder<SharingInvitationItem> {
 
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@ class SharingInvitationViewHolder
 
 		Collection<String> names = new ArrayList<>();
 		for (Contact c : item.getNewSharers())
-			names.add(c.getAuthor().getName());
+			names.add(getContactDisplayName(c));
 		sharedBy.setText(
 				sharedBy.getContext().getString(R.string.shared_by_format,
 						StringUtils.join(names, ", ")));

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/threaded/BaseThreadItemViewHolder.java

@@ -43,9 +43,8 @@ public abstract class BaseThreadItemViewHolder<I extends ThreadItem>
 	public void bind(I item, ThreadItemListener<I> listener) {
 		textView.setText(StringUtils.trim(item.getText()));
 
-		author.setAuthor(item.getAuthor());
+		author.setAuthor(item.getAuthor(), item.getAuthorInfo());
 		author.setDate(item.getTimestamp());
-		author.setAuthorInfo(item.getAuthorInfo());
 
 		if (item.isHighlighted()) {
 			layout.setActivated(true);

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/util/UiUtils.java

@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ import android.view.View;
 import android.widget.TextView;
 
 import org.acra.ACRA;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.Contact;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.MethodsNotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.ParametersNotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.system.AndroidExecutor;
@@ -74,6 +76,17 @@ public class UiUtils {
 	public static final int TEASER_LENGTH = 320;
 	public static final float GREY_OUT = 0.5f;
 
+	public static String getContactDisplayName(Author author,
+			@Nullable String alias) {
+		String name = author.getName();
+		if (alias == null) return name;
+		else return String.format("%s (%s)", alias, name);
+	}
+
+	public static String getContactDisplayName(Contact c) {
+		return getContactDisplayName(c.getAuthor(), c.getAlias());
+	}
+
 	public static void setError(TextInputLayout til, @Nullable String error,
 			boolean set) {
 		if (set) {
@@ -127,7 +140,9 @@ public class UiUtils {
 		return builder;
 	}
 
-	public static Spanned getSpanned(String s) {
+	public static Spanned getSpanned(@Nullable String s) {
+		// TODO move to HtmlCompat
+		// https://commonsware.com/blog/2018/05/29/at-last-htmlcompat.html
 		return Html.fromHtml(s);
 	}
 

briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/view/AuthorView.java

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import static android.graphics.Typeface.BOLD;
 import static android.util.TypedValue.COMPLEX_UNIT_PX;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.NONE;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.OURSELVES;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.getContactDisplayName;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.android.util.UiUtils.resolveAttribute;
 
 @UiThread
@@ -70,16 +71,12 @@ public class AuthorView extends ConstraintLayout {
 		this(context, null);
 	}
 
-	public void setAuthor(Author author) {
+	public void setAuthor(Author author, AuthorInfo authorInfo) {
-		authorName.setText(author.getName());
+		authorName
+				.setText(getContactDisplayName(author, authorInfo.getAlias()));
 		IdenticonDrawable d = new IdenticonDrawable(author.getId().getBytes());
 		avatar.setImageDrawable(d);
 
-		invalidate();
-		requestLayout();
-	}
-
-	public void setAuthorInfo(AuthorInfo authorInfo) {
 		if (authorInfo.getStatus() != NONE) {
 			trustIndicator.setTrustLevel(authorInfo.getStatus());
 			trustIndicator.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
@@ -123,7 +120,7 @@ public class AuthorView extends ConstraintLayout {
 	 *
 	 * Attention: RSS_FEED and RSS_FEED_REBLOGGED change the avatar
 	 *            and override the one set by
-	 *            {@link AuthorView#setAuthor(Author)}.
+	 *            {@link AuthorView#setAuthor(Author, AuthorInfo)}.
 	 */
 	public void setPersona(int persona) {
 		switch (persona) {

briar-android/src/main/res/layout/fragment_alias_dialog.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<LinearLayout
+	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	android:layout_width="match_parent"
+	android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+	android:orientation="vertical"
+	android:padding="16dp">
+
+	<TextView
+		android:id="@+id/titleView"
+		android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:text="@string/set_contact_alias"
+		android:textColor="?android:attr/textColorPrimary"
+		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_large"
+		android:textStyle="bold"/>
+
+	<EditText
+		android:id="@+id/aliasEditText"
+		android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_marginTop="16dp"
+		android:hint="@string/set_contact_alias_hint"
+		android:inputType="textPersonName"
+		android:textColor="?android:attr/textColorPrimary"
+		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_medium"/>
+
+	<LinearLayout
+		android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_marginLeft="@dimen/margin_xxlarge"
+		android:layout_marginStart="@dimen/margin_xxlarge"
+		android:gravity="end"
+		android:orientation="horizontal">
+
+		<Button
+			android:id="@+id/cancelButton"
+			style="@style/BriarButtonFlat.Negative"
+			android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+			android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+			android:text="@string/cancel"/>
+
+		<Button
+			android:id="@+id/setButton"
+			style="@style/BriarButtonFlat.Positive"
+			android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+			android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+			android:text="@string/set_alias"/>
+
+	</LinearLayout>
+
+</LinearLayout>

briar-android/src/main/res/layout/fragment_link_dialog.xml

@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <LinearLayout
 	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-	xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
 	xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
 	android:layout_width="match_parent"
-	android:layout_height="match_parent"
-	android:orientation="vertical">
-
-	<LinearLayout
-		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
 	android:layout_height="wrap_content"
 	android:orientation="vertical"
-		android:padding="@dimen/margin_large">
+	android:padding="16dp">
 
 	<TextView
 		android:layout_width="match_parent"
@@ -34,7 +28,9 @@
 		android:layout_width="match_parent"
 		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
 		android:layout_marginTop="@dimen/margin_large"
+		android:textColor="?android:attr/textColorPrimary"
 		android:textIsSelectable="true"
+		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_medium"
 		android:typeface="monospace"
 		tools:text="http://very.bad.site.com"/>
 
@@ -46,30 +42,28 @@
 		android:textColor="?android:attr/textColorPrimary"
 		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_medium"/>
 
-	</LinearLayout>
+	<LinearLayout
-
-	<android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout
 		android:layout_width="match_parent"
-		android:layout_height="@dimen/button_size">
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_marginLeft="@dimen/margin_xxlarge"
+		android:layout_marginStart="@dimen/margin_xxlarge"
+		android:gravity="end"
+		android:orientation="horizontal">
 
 		<Button
 			android:id="@+id/cancelButton"
 			style="@style/BriarButtonFlat.Positive"
-			android:layout_width="0dp"
+			android:layout_width="wrap_content"
 			android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-			android:text="@string/cancel"
+			android:text="@string/cancel"/>
-			app:layout_constraintEnd_toStartOf="@+id/openButton"
-			app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"/>
 
 		<Button
 			android:id="@+id/openButton"
 			style="@style/BriarButtonFlat.Negative"
-			android:layout_width="0dp"
+			android:layout_width="wrap_content"
 			android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-			android:text="@string/link_warning_open_link"
+			android:text="@string/link_warning_open_link"/>
-			app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
-			app:layout_constraintStart_toEndOf="@+id/cancelButton"/>
 
-	</android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout>
+	</LinearLayout>
 
 </LinearLayout>

briar-android/src/main/res/menu/conversation_actions.xml

@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@
 		android:enabled="false"
 		app:showAsAction="never"/>
 
+	<item
+		android:id="@+id/action_set_alias"
+		android:title="@string/set_contact_alias"
+		android:enabled="true"
+		app:showAsAction="never"/>
+
 	<item
 		android:id="@+id/action_social_remove_person"
 		android:icon="@drawable/action_delete_white"

briar-android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml

@@ -127,6 +127,9 @@
 	<string name="date_no_private_messages">No messages.</string>
 	<string name="no_private_messages">No messages to show</string>
 	<string name="message_hint">Type message</string>
+	<string name="set_contact_alias">Set alias name</string>
+	<string name="set_contact_alias_hint">Contact alias</string>
+	<string name="set_alias">Set Alias</string>
 	<string name="delete_contact">Delete contact</string>
 	<string name="dialog_title_delete_contact">Confirm Contact Deletion</string>
 	<string name="dialog_message_delete_contact">Are you sure that you want to remove this contact and all messages exchanged with this contact?</string>

briar-android/witness.gradle

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ dependencyVerification {
         'android.arch.core:common:1.1.1:common-1.1.1.jar:3a616a32f433e9e23f556b38575c31b013613d3ae85206263b7625fe1f4c151a',
         'android.arch.core:runtime:1.1.1:runtime-1.1.1.aar:c3215aa5873311b3f88a6f4e4a3c25ad89971bc127de8c3e1291c57f93a05c39',
         'android.arch.lifecycle:common:1.1.1:common-1.1.1.jar:8d378e88ebd5189e09eef623414812c868fd90aa519d6160e2311fb8b81cff56',
+        'android.arch.lifecycle:extensions:1.1.1:extensions-1.1.1.aar:429426b2feec2245ffc5e75b3b5309bedb36159cf06dc71843ae43526ac289b6',
         'android.arch.lifecycle:livedata-core:1.1.1:livedata-core-1.1.1.aar:d6fdd8b985d6178d7ea2f16986a24e83f1bee936b74d43167c69e08d3cc12c50',
         'android.arch.lifecycle:livedata:1.1.1:livedata-1.1.1.aar:50ab0490c1ff1a7cfb4e554032998b080888946d0dd424f39900efc4a1bcd750',
         'android.arch.lifecycle:runtime:1.1.1:runtime-1.1.1.aar:c4e4be66c1b2f0abec593571454e1de14013f7e0f96bf2a9f212931a48cae550',

briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/introduction/IntroductionRequest.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.api.introduction;
 
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.GroupId;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.MessageId;
@@ -15,19 +16,24 @@ import javax.annotation.concurrent.Immutable;
 @NotNullByDefault
 public class IntroductionRequest extends PrivateRequest<Author> {
 
-	private final boolean contact;
+	private final AuthorInfo authorInfo;
 
 	public IntroductionRequest(MessageId messageId, GroupId groupId,
 			long time, boolean local, boolean sent, boolean seen, boolean read,
 			SessionId sessionId, Author author, @Nullable String text,
-			boolean answered, boolean contact) {
+			boolean answered, AuthorInfo authorInfo) {
 		super(messageId, groupId, time, local, sent, seen, read, sessionId,
 				author, text, answered);
-		this.contact = contact;
+		this.authorInfo = authorInfo;
+	}
+
+	@Nullable
+	public String getAlias() {
+		return authorInfo.getAlias();
 	}
 
 	public boolean isContact() {
-		return contact;
+		return authorInfo.getStatus().isContact();
 	}
 
 	@Override

briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/introduction/IntroductionResponse.java

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.briarproject.briar.api.introduction;
 
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.GroupId;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.MessageId;
@@ -17,14 +18,17 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.api.introduction.Role.INTRODUCER;
 public class IntroductionResponse extends PrivateResponse {
 
 	private final Author introducedAuthor;
+	private final AuthorInfo introducedAuthorInfo;
 	private final Role ourRole;
 
 	public IntroductionResponse(MessageId messageId, GroupId groupId, long time,
 			boolean local, boolean sent, boolean seen, boolean read,
-			SessionId sessionId, boolean accepted, Author author, Role role) {
+			SessionId sessionId, boolean accepted, Author author,
+			AuthorInfo introducedAuthorInfo, Role role) {
 		super(messageId, groupId, time, local, sent, seen, read, sessionId,
 				accepted);
 		this.introducedAuthor = author;
+		this.introducedAuthorInfo = introducedAuthorInfo;
 		this.ourRole = role;
 	}
 
@@ -32,6 +36,10 @@ public class IntroductionResponse extends PrivateResponse {
 		return introducedAuthor;
 	}
 
+	public AuthorInfo getIntroducedAuthorInfo() {
+		return introducedAuthorInfo;
+	}
+
 	public boolean isIntroducer() {
 		return ourRole == INTRODUCER;
 	}

briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/introduction/AbstractProtocolEngine.java

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DbException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.Transaction;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorId;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.IdentityManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.plugin.TransportId;
@@ -149,11 +150,13 @@ abstract class AbstractProtocolEngine<S extends Session>
 			throws DbException {
 		AuthorId localAuthorId = identityManager.getLocalAuthor(txn).getId();
 		Contact c = contactManager.getContact(txn, sender, localAuthorId);
+		AuthorInfo otherAuthorInfo =
+				contactManager.getAuthorInfo(txn, otherAuthor.getId());
 		IntroductionResponse response =
 				new IntroductionResponse(m.getMessageId(), m.getGroupId(),
 						m.getTimestamp(), false, false, false, false,
 						s.getSessionId(), m instanceof AcceptMessage,
-						otherAuthor, s.getRole());
+						otherAuthor, otherAuthorInfo, s.getRole());
 		IntroductionResponseReceivedEvent e =
 				new IntroductionResponseReceivedEvent(response, c.getId());
 		txn.attach(e);

briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/introduction/IntroduceeProtocolEngine.java

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.ContactExistsException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DatabaseComponent;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DbException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.Transaction;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.IdentityManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.LocalAuthor;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
@@ -251,12 +252,12 @@ class IntroduceeProtocolEngine
 		LocalAuthor localAuthor = identityManager.getLocalAuthor(txn);
 		Contact c = contactManager.getContact(txn, s.getIntroducer().getId(),
 				localAuthor.getId());
-		boolean contactExists = contactManager
+		AuthorInfo authorInfo =
-				.contactExists(txn, m.getAuthor().getId(), localAuthor.getId());
+				contactManager.getAuthorInfo(txn, m.getAuthor().getId());
 		IntroductionRequest request = new IntroductionRequest(m.getMessageId(),
 				m.getGroupId(), m.getTimestamp(), false, false, false, false,
 				s.getSessionId(), m.getAuthor(), m.getText(), false,
-				contactExists);
+				authorInfo);
 		IntroductionRequestReceivedEvent e =
 				new IntroductionRequestReceivedEvent(request, c.getId());
 		txn.attach(e);

briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/introduction/IntroductionManagerImpl.java

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.DbException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.Metadata;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.Transaction;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorId;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.IdentityManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.LocalAuthor;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.introduction.IntroducerSession.Introducee;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Map.Entry;
@@ -408,6 +411,7 @@ class IntroductionManagerImpl extends ConversationClientImpl
 					.getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn, contactGroupId, query);
 			List<PrivateMessageHeader> messages =
 					new ArrayList<>(results.size());
+			Map<AuthorId, AuthorInfo> authorInfos = new HashMap<>();
 			for (Entry<MessageId, BdfDictionary> e : results.entrySet()) {
 				MessageId m = e.getKey();
 				MessageMetadata meta =
@@ -419,15 +423,17 @@ class IntroductionManagerImpl extends ConversationClientImpl
 				if (type == REQUEST) {
 					messages.add(
 							parseInvitationRequest(txn, contactGroupId, m,
-									meta, status, ss.bdfSession));
+									meta, status, ss.bdfSession, authorInfos));
 				} else if (type == ACCEPT) {
 					messages.add(
-							parseInvitationResponse(contactGroupId, m, meta,
+							parseInvitationResponse(txn, contactGroupId, m,
-									status, ss.bdfSession, true));
+									meta, status, ss.bdfSession, authorInfos,
+									true));
 				} else if (type == DECLINE) {
 					messages.add(
-							parseInvitationResponse(contactGroupId, m, meta,
+							parseInvitationResponse(txn, contactGroupId, m,
-									status, ss.bdfSession, false));
+									meta, status, ss.bdfSession, authorInfos,
+									false));
 				}
 			}
 			return messages;
@@ -438,7 +444,8 @@ class IntroductionManagerImpl extends ConversationClientImpl
 
 	private IntroductionRequest parseInvitationRequest(Transaction txn,
 			GroupId contactGroupId, MessageId m, MessageMetadata meta,
-			MessageStatus status, BdfDictionary bdfSession)
+			MessageStatus status, BdfDictionary bdfSession,
+			Map<AuthorId, AuthorInfo> authorInfos)
 			throws DbException, FormatException {
 		Role role = sessionParser.getRole(bdfSession);
 		SessionId sessionId;
@@ -462,19 +469,22 @@ class IntroductionManagerImpl extends ConversationClientImpl
 		BdfList body = clientHelper.toList(msg);
 		RequestMessage rm = messageParser.parseRequestMessage(msg, body);
 		String text = rm.getText();
-		LocalAuthor localAuthor = identityManager.getLocalAuthor(txn);
+		AuthorInfo authorInfo = authorInfos.get(author.getId());
-		boolean contactExists = contactManager
+		if (authorInfo == null) {
-				.contactExists(txn, rm.getAuthor().getId(),
+			authorInfo = contactManager.getAuthorInfo(txn, author.getId());
-						localAuthor.getId());
+			authorInfos.put(author.getId(), authorInfo);
+		}
 		return new IntroductionRequest(m, contactGroupId, meta.getTimestamp(),
 				meta.isLocal(), status.isSent(), status.isSeen(), meta.isRead(),
 				sessionId, author, text, !meta.isAvailableToAnswer(),
-				contactExists);
+				authorInfo);
 	}
 
-	private IntroductionResponse parseInvitationResponse(GroupId contactGroupId,
+	private IntroductionResponse parseInvitationResponse(Transaction txn,
-			MessageId m, MessageMetadata meta, MessageStatus status,
+			GroupId contactGroupId, MessageId m, MessageMetadata meta,
-			BdfDictionary bdfSession, boolean accept) throws FormatException {
+			MessageStatus status, BdfDictionary bdfSession,
+			Map<AuthorId, AuthorInfo> authorInfos, boolean accept)
+			throws FormatException, DbException {
 		Role role = sessionParser.getRole(bdfSession);
 		SessionId sessionId;
 		Author author;
@@ -493,9 +503,14 @@ class IntroductionManagerImpl extends ConversationClientImpl
 			sessionId = session.getSessionId();
 			author = session.getRemote().author;
 		} else throw new AssertionError();
+		AuthorInfo authorInfo = authorInfos.get(author.getId());
+		if (authorInfo == null) {
+			authorInfo = contactManager.getAuthorInfo(txn, author.getId());
+			authorInfos.put(author.getId(), authorInfo);
+		}
 		return new IntroductionResponse(m, contactGroupId, meta.getTimestamp(),
 				meta.isLocal(), status.isSent(), status.isSeen(), meta.isRead(),
-				sessionId, accept, author, role);
+				sessionId, accept, author, authorInfo, role);
 	}
 
 	private void removeSessionWithIntroducer(Transaction txn,

briar-headless/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/headless/messaging/MessagingControllerImplTest.kt

@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ import io.javalin.json.JavalinJson.toJson
 import io.mockk.*
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactId
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.db.NoSuchContactException
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.UNVERIFIED
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorInfo.Status.VERIFIED
 import org.briarproject.bramble.test.ImmediateExecutor
 import org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomId
 import org.briarproject.bramble.util.StringUtils.getRandomString
@@ -61,7 +64,7 @@ internal class MessagingControllerImplTest : ControllerTest() {
     fun listIntroductionRequest() {
         val request = IntroductionRequest(
             message.id, group.id, timestamp, true, true, false, true, sessionId, author, text,
-            false, false
+            false, AuthorInfo(UNVERIFIED)
         )
 
         expectGetContact()
@@ -200,7 +203,7 @@ internal class MessagingControllerImplTest : ControllerTest() {
     fun testIntroductionRequestWithNullText() {
         val request = IntroductionRequest(
             message.id, group.id, timestamp, true, true, false, true, sessionId, author, null,
-            false, false
+            false, AuthorInfo(VERIFIED)
         )
         val json = """
             {