The global social media giant, Signal, has announced that it has deployed a new feature that will enable users to back up chats on their iPhone devices. As per its recent disclosure, users can now save important conversations on their iPhones and iPads, for $1.99 per month.
Signal launches new feature on Android and iOS devices
Signal stands out from the crowd in facilitating a social media platform for having conversations in a unique way—users’ conversations vanish if they change devices or lose access to their previous devices. However, the firm has announced an adjustment to bolster user experience for customers.
This focus on user-controlled security is a core part of Signal’s identity and a key differentiator when comparing it to other messaging apps. (If you’re weighing your options, our detailed breakdown of Signal vs. WhatsApp delves deeper into their privacy philosophies.)
According to the company’s November 24th official post on X, customers can choose to backup specific conversations, thanks to Signal’s new protected backup feature.
This move addresses a critical privacy gap. Insecure cloud backups have been a weak link, with personal messages and photos from platforms routinely siphoned in data breaches and later found either for blackmailing or for sale on dark web markets. Ransomware attack on Lehigh Valley Hospital Network that saw private date of 135,000 patients land on the dark web is a prime example of this.
Signal’s encrypted system aims to ensure that even if a server is compromised, the contents of your conversations remain unreadable.
The firm had rolled-out the feature on Android in September, but has now deployed the same feature to the iOS environment. In particular, the Signal application allows users to keep their User Details available by using a Recovery Key consisting of 64 characters to unlock the associated User Data and End-to-end Encryptions.
Signal suggests making sure that this healing key is properly backed up, because if it is lost or stolen, restoration will not be possible without having access to the backup. Furthermore, the firm added that not even Signal can access, decrypt, or even restore any of the details stored in the Secure Backup Archive sections of customers.
Signal assured that users have access to 100mb of chat, which they can also store videos, photos, documents, and other media for up to 45 days. After 45 days, such data will automatically be deleted, except the user subscribes to a premium option. The firm noted that users paying for the premium access have access to 100GB iCloud space, to store all kinds of media and chat.
According to a blog post by Signal, users can download the latest app version—v7.86–on iOS devices from the Apple App Store. Users will need to navigate to the Profile button at the top left of the screen, then tap on Signal Settings, click Backups, click Setup, then Enable Backups, before clicking Next.
After that, the user will receive their 64-character recovery key, and Signal recommends writing it down and storing it somewhere safe. For users who prefer digital security, storing this key in a secured note within a properly locked-down iCloud account is another option.
After that, the user will need to click on Next and provide the recovery key to validate their access to it. Following that, customers should click on Next, then continue, and then select the backup option to use. If you need, you can turn to our guide on how to enhance iCloud security to protect sensitive data like this.
Again, Signal buttressed that the only way to decrypt customer details is by using the recovery key. So, users who lose their recovery key will automatically lose all access to their saved data. After transferring your back-up files, the company will enable cross-platform transfers so users can effortlessly move between all three platforms.
Managing these kinds of critical digital keys is a fundamental part of modern privacy. For those looking to build a comprehensive privacy setup, our guide to the best internet privacy tools covers everything from password managers to secure clouds.
