Signal is a messenger service with a focus on privacy. There are lots of unique and really great privacy features in the app. It's also completely open source, which means anyone can have a look at the code and really see if Signal is as secure as they say it is. Signal is available across platforms, so if you have an iPhone or an Android device, even a Windows PC, a Mac computer, iPad, and Linux systems as well, it's pretty much available on everything. You can use it on your phone and send messages pretty much to anywhere. This overview covers the setup process, security features, and some chat functionalities within Signal.
Getting started involves agreeing to the privacy policy and managing permissions for contacts and notifications. You can choose not to allow contact access and still proceed. You'll need to provide a phone number for verification; it doesn't strictly have to be your personal number, but you must have access to the phone associated with it to receive and input a confirmation code. Setting up your account requires a first name (which can be anything) and optionally an avatar, chosen from your photo album or taken directly.
A unique aspect is creating a PIN. Signal doesn't demand this PIN every time you open the app but prompts for it occasionally, less frequently with more usage, adding a layer of security. The setup might also ask for Wi-Fi connection permissions.
Privacy and Security Settings
Signal stands out due to its robust privacy settings. Key options include managing read receipts and typing indicators, allowing you to control whether others see when you've read a message or are currently typing.
The Registration Lock feature adds extra security by requiring your PIN if you reinstall Signal or register it on a new device. Screen Security is another notable feature; when enabled, it prevents your chat content from being visible in the app switcher overview on your phone, enhancing privacy if others might glance at your screen. For iPhone users, Touch ID or Face ID can be enabled for app access, providing biometric security.
Chat Features
Starting a chat involves using the compose icon to find contacts either by phone number or by their Signal name if known. If a person isn't in your phone's contacts, you can add a name for them within Signal. Basic messaging includes delivery and read receipts (if enabled), which appear as checkmarks that get filled in when read.
You can record voice messages by pressing and holding the microphone icon; slide to cancel or release to send. Sending images is straightforward: tap the camera icon, take a photo or choose from your gallery. Signal offers in-built editing tools to write on images, add text, or crop them, similar to other popular messaging apps. Once edited, you can send the image directly or attach it to a text message.
Reacting to messages is simple: press and hold a message bubble to bring up emojis for quick reactions. To reply specifically to a message, press and hold it, then select the reply option; the original message will be quoted above your response. You can also forward messages to other contacts or delete messages from your device (though this doesn't delete them from the recipient's device unless using disappearing messages). Checking message info (like sent time) is also possible.
Disappearing Messages
A standout privacy feature is disappearing messages. Within a chat's settings (accessed by tapping the contact's name at the top), you can toggle this feature on and set a timer, ranging from five seconds to one week. Once enabled, all subsequent messages in that chat will automatically disappear for both sender and receiver after the specified time has elapsed.
Safety Number Verification
For added assurance about your contact's identity, you can view their safety number. If you are physically with the person, you can scan their QR code or manually compare numbers to mark the contact as verified. This verification status might change if the contact reinstalls Signal or switches devices, alerting you to potential changes.
Other Functionalities
You can capture and send media directly from the main screen without entering a specific chat first. Press the camera icon to take a photo or hold the button to record video, then select the contact(s) to send it to. Creating group chats is also standard: select 'New Group' and add the desired contacts from your list, functioning much like other group messaging services.
Key Features
- Strong focus on privacy with end-to-end encryption by default.
- Open-source code allows for public security audits.
- Disappearing messages with customizable timers.
- Screen Security to hide chat content in the app switcher.
- Registration Lock PIN for account security.
- Standard messaging features: text, voice messages, images, videos, reactions, replies.
- Safety number verification for contact identity confirmation.
- Cross-platform availability (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Group chat functionality.
Pros and Cons
- ✅ Strong end-to-end encryption and privacy features.
- ✅ Completely free to use with no advertisements.
- ✅ Open-source transparency.
- ✅ Cross-platform support keeps you connected on different devices.
- ✅ Disappearing messages offer enhanced ephemeral communication.
- ❌ Requires a phone number for registration.
- ❌ Smaller user base compared to mainstream messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.
- ❌ Occasional PIN reminders might feel slightly intrusive to some users.
Availability and Cost
Signal is available for free download on various platforms. You can get it from the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad, the Google Play Store for Android devices, and directly from the official Signal website for Windows, macOS, and Linux (Debian-based distributions).
