But the solution seems to be to have the desktop client request data from the phone.
In fact I'm not sure how it can possibly work otherwise (what if someone just uses their phone for years and then opens the desktop client for the first time ever? does that not show any old messages? seems a terrible design).
Yes if you open the desktop client after 30 days its de-linked and you lose all new messages. And yes its bad design and very annoying, but understandable given their storage limitations. Have a look at the links I posted.
Retrieving from the phone would be a better idea I agree.
But the solution seems to be to have the desktop client request data from the phone.
In fact I'm not sure how it can possibly work otherwise (what if someone just uses their phone for years and then opens the desktop client for the first time ever? does that not show any old messages? seems a terrible design).