chooj VS AppBuster

If you're willing to dive deep into self-hosting, the open source chat protocol Matrix.org has support for an in-development iMessage bridge. Once you get it to work, there's a Matrix.org client on KaiOS devices called Chooj (sideloading guide) made by Farooq that you can use to access the chat.

I personally recommend going with a Matrix client and building a bridge to your Signal account.

My end goal is to sideload a matrix chat app on to my Nokia 6300 4G US phone. Root would be nice but I'm not sure it can be done.

We do have a third-party client for Matrix, the protocol technology which Beeper is based on. Check it out here, and you can sideload this app by following this guide.

Some guy started one here, but needs more support to keep it going.

Hmm, the Matrix.org client Chooj currently works, but only with basic functions, like one-to-one texting and calling, group/channel texting, experimental notifications and so on. It's just that the dev hasn't got time to work more on this - see the support chat at #chooj:mozilla.org. https://github.com/farooqkz/chooj

Though I am not aware of any developments on an xmpp client, farooqkz is working on a matrix client which could then be bridged over to xmpp

Of course, for a typical person who are just looking to sideload third-party apps or remove pre-installed apps, rooting isn't needed. But when it comes to sophisticated things like installing a custom ROM) or editing system functions that the system security doesn't allow you to, bypassing it is a prerequisite.

Do note that you don't have to root your 6300 4G unless necessary, like installing engmode-extension apps or modifying system apps. To remove pre-installed apps, you can use something like AppBuster. CrossTweak also provides most of Wallace Toolbox's functions without the need of engmode-extension permission.

You're ready to sideload apps! To remove the unwanted apps, AppBuster (https://github.com/minhduc-bui1/AppBuster) is there. Press the Code button and choose to download the ZIP file.

Perhaps use AppBuster instead?

Here's the link to the fork: https://github.com/minhduc-bui1/AppBuster

For disabling distracting apps on the phone, you can download this KaiOS apps managing tool called AppBuster and sideload it onto the phone. It's not as easy as 1-2-3, so if you decide to do it this way and got any problems, we'll be willing to help. Once disabled, you can remove the tool. The apps will stay disabled until you do a software update or a factory reset.

You can hide some of the apps with a tool called AppBuster.

Use this guide to sideload a fork of a tool called AppBuster which lets you disable apps. Once sideloaded, use the Up/Down and number keys to select apps to be disabled and press # to apply. This method is safer than the one below as it'll allow you to re-enable the apps if you need it or did something wrong.

If you're looking for a way to debloat apps, I can recommend sideloading this fork of AppBuster, a utility to disable apps on KaiOS tailored for KaiOS 2.5.4, using this sideloading guide.