Signal brings a lot of great messaging Unlike apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, Signal can only be used on one phone at a time, and all conversations are stored locally on the device. In other words, if someone logs into their Signal on a new phone, they won’t immediately see any of their previous conversations. Thankfully, though, Signal's migration tool does make it possible to move them across.
For people who use an iPhone and just upgraded to a new model, Signal reassures s that the process of transferring chats is pretty straightforward. To get started, make sure both the new and old iPhones are close to each other, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and Low Power mode disabled. On the new iPhone, install the Signal app from the App Store and complete the /registration process. Once that’s done, tap 'Transfer from iOS Device’ and then ‘Next.’ Now, open Signal on the old iPhone, and there should be a pop-up on the screen. Tap ‘Next’, a small camera will open, and then use the old iPhone to scan the QR code on the new iPhone. This begins the transfer process, which should only take a few minutes.
Transfer Signal Messages Between Android Phones
Signal's transfer tool is also available for Android s. The steps are a bit different, though the end result is the same. On the new Android phone, install Signal, open the app, and tap 'Transfer or restore .' Enable any permissions that are requested, tap 'Transfer from Android device,' and tap 'Continue.' Now go to the old Android phone, tap the profile icon, tap ',' tap 'Transfer ,' and tap 'Continue.' From here, there are just a few final steps. Move the two phones next to each other, accept the alert on the new Android phone, make sure the seven-digit code on both devices is the same, and tap 'Continue' on each one.
Android s also have the option of transferring Signal messages with a backup file. First, you'll want to make sure a backup file is made. On your old phone, tap the profile icon, tap 'Chats,' tap 'Chat backups,' and tap 'Turn on.' Follow the on-screen instructions, and within a few seconds, you'll get a backup folder containing all of your message data. Once the backup file's created, move it to the new Android phone, open Signal, tap 'Transfer or restore ,' tap 'Restore from backup,' and enter your 30-digit code.
No matter if chats are being transferred across Androids or iPhones, all conversations remain end-to-end encrypted just like they were on the old device, ensuring everything remains just as secure as ever. Having to manually transfer conversations in the first place is a slight annoyance compared to some of Signal's competition, but considering nothing is lost from a data privacy perspective, it's a pretty great solution all-around.
Can You Transfer Signal Messages From Android To iPhone?
For iOS s, Signal s chat transfers between two iPhones, from an unlinked iPad to an iPhone, from an iPhone to an unlinked iPad, and from an iPad to an iPad. Android s can only move chats from one Android phone to another. Signal desktop s are also at a disadvantage, as there's no way to transfer chats to a new device. At the moment, Signal does not offer cross-platform chat transfers, unlike apps like WhatsApp, which means s switching operating systems don't have any way to migrate their chats to a new device.
Like WhatsApp, Signal also offers s the ability to link devices to their phone. s can link either a desktop or iPad to their smartphone. At the moment, Signal does not offer the ability to link Android tablets or multiple phones. For those using linked devices, Signal unfortunately doesn't offer the ability to transfer chats from a linked desktop or iPad to a new phone. This is because linked devices do not have the same Signal information as a smartphone.
How To Change Your Phone Number On Signal
Signal lets s change their phone number, provided that they have an active Signal , and are changing their number while using the same phone. If a is unable to send or receive Signal messages (check this by using Note To Self), does not have access to their phone, or has reset their phone, they will not be able to migrate to a new phone number.
Provided the is accessing Signal on the same device, the first step is to open Signal Settings. Next, tap '' and then 'Change Phone Number.' Once this option is selected, s will not be able to go back and undo the change. Tap 'Continue' and enter the old phone number in the first field and new phone number in the second field. Tap 'Continue' or 'Done.' Confirm the new number, or alternatively, tap 'Edit Number' if the new number entered was incorrect. Tap on 'Change Number' and follow the instructions to complete the registration.
If a doesn't have access to their old phone number, they will first need to delete their Signal and then with their new number. They will lose all access to their message history if this happens. As a safety feature, if someone s for Signal with the old phone number, they won't be able to access the 's message history. In addition, Signal will notify a 's s of a safety number change if they continue exchanging messages with the old phone number.