Encrypted messaging app Signal pushed out its v2.19 update late on Friday after a post-release 48-hour delay, owing to an App Store issue that Apple has now resolved. The update includes a number of new features and improvements, including full UI display support for iPhone X.

After the update is applied, users will no longer see the "Load Earlier Messages" link within chat threads, because additional messages now appear automatically upon scrolling to the top of a conversation.

Screen Shot 1
In other improvements, a new simplified interface has been introduced to the Signal mobile app that aims to make sending photos, files, and GIFs easier and quicker. For example, attachment previews are now displayed directly in the message bar instead of on a separate confirmation screen.

Adopting a design concept popularized by Facebook Messenger known as "Jumbomoji", emoji characters are now also visibly larger in Signal chat bubbles that don't contain any other text. Elsewhere, messages that fail to send have been made easier to spot and re-send, while a new "Tap for More" option should make navigating extremely long messages a more pleasant experience.

The list of supported languages has also been expanded to include Burmese, Hebrew, and Persian, while users with an external keyboard linked to their device can now make use of new key combination shortcuts for sending messages (Shift + Enter, and Command + Enter).

Apart from the above changes, Open Whisper Systems has revamped the layout code to improve performance and flexibility, so everything should feel smoother and more refined, according to the developers. Lastly, a number of bugs have been fixed, including one where recently sent messages sometimes reappeared after being deleted.

Signal Private Messenger is a free download [Direct Link] for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store.

Top Rated Comments

B60boy Avatar
93 months ago
Please give me a few non-nefarious examples of why an encrypted messaging app would be necessary? (Seems great for law-breakers, criminals and tinfoil hat wearers.)
For a completely private conversation. Just like if I "whispered" something to you and said that it's between you and me. Maybe my SSN, or medical information. Also, does the Government and NSA and the Telco's need to track and catalog EVERYTHING that is said to bundle and sold to marketing companies? Encryption is everywhere and it's a necessity to function in the internet world.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imas145 Avatar
93 months ago
LOL. The imessage encryption inst strong enough for your home wifi? The NSA is wanting to get free wifi off of you?
Also, Doctors are already allowed to send information through non-encrypted e-mail. The only time a lawyer would use this would be if his client was some drug dealer and he was texting the location of the multiple bodies he has buried. Otherwise they would use plain old email.

The only time this is really needed is if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae.
Hate to break it to you, but repressive governments exist. While I'd put the US in the middle, there are still a lot worse out there and if you wish to talk about social issues without being repressed you need encryption. This is a reality for many people and they rely on these apps to communicate.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cteel2004 Avatar
93 months ago
Two reasons
- you’re a doctor, attorney, or some other professional that needs to communicate confidential information to your client that’s not in the room.
- you’re the one person in your family that can fix the home network and need to send them the WiFi password that they haven’t written down or have lost, and you’re out of town.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B60boy Avatar
93 months ago
LOL. The imessage encryption inst strong enough for your home wifi? The NSA is wanting to get free wifi off of you?
Also, Doctors are already allowed to send information through non-encrypted e-mail. The only time a lawyer would use this would be if his client was some drug dealer and he was texting the location of the multiple bodies he has buried. Otherwise they would use plain old email.

The only time this is really needed is if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae.
You need to get educated on this. Example, FB Messenger by itself is NOT encrypted and FB reads everything with algorithms that get cataloged and tied to your FB profile and phone number. Helps with targeted ads among other things. Now, there is a feature in FB Messenger called Secret Conversations. That makes the entire conversation end to end encrypted with timers. Guess what is used for that? Whisper Systems encryption, the same company that makes the Signal Messenger product. Whisper Systems encryption is used in FB Messenger (1.3B users), WhatsApp (1.3B users) and Google's Allo.

If it is NOT encrypted, someone is applying an algorithm that is analyzing that data for ads, marketing or for whatever. Everything from the NSA, Governments around the world, marketing and advertising companies like Google and Facebook. Sometimes, when warranted, we don't want anyone knowing our personal stuff. Yes, bad guys use it too but through out history, there has always been private conversations between human beings. BTW, your email is not encrypted either unless you use a product called ProtonMail. Gmail, Outlook.com and Apple Mail scan your emails for spam and gmail harvests that information for building that advertising profile. Recently they said that they are going to stop doing that practice.

Your not completely correct that "if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae." Sometimes its a private conversation with your spouse. Or I'm giving credit card information to my kids that they need in a emergency at college. Encryption is used everywhere, banking, finance etc. BTW, the White House and Congress uses Signal.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DailySlow Avatar
93 months ago
Please give me a few non-nefarious examples of why an encrypted messaging app would be necessary? (Seems great for criminals and the tinfoil hat crowd.)
Legitimate business, whistleblowing, legal stuff, flirting, family stuff, employment prospects...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B60boy Avatar
93 months ago
Yeah cause everyone is out to get you, and the regular iOS message app isn’t secure enough. :D
iOS Messaging app DOES have end-to-end encryption and are safe. But guess what, not everyone uses an iPhone. I still need to send private stuff to someone who has Android. That is why these apps like Signal and WhatsApp are needed.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

Sunday January 12, 2025 4:11 pm PST by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year." That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point...
Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Coming Soon: Here's What's New

Monday January 13, 2025 5:33 am PST by
iOS 18.3 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. So far, the upcoming iPhone software update is very minor in scope. Below, we outline what is new in iOS 18.3 so far. The only potential new feature coming to iPhones with iOS 18.3 so far is robot vacuum support in the Home app, but this functionality is not yet live. Apple is laying the groundwork for the feature,...
AppleEventLogoFeature

Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025

Saturday January 11, 2025 1:00 am PST by
Apple's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect. With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight...
se 4 for 2025

When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 or So-Called 'iPhone 16E' to Launch

Friday January 10, 2025 9:20 am PST by
Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing. The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Main Camera Sensor 'Smaller' Than iPhone 16 Pro Sensor

Friday January 10, 2025 3:14 am PST by
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16...
airpods pro 2 botw

Hearing a Mysterious Chime From Your AirPods Pro Case? It's a Feature

Thursday January 9, 2025 3:42 pm PST by
If you've been hearing a chiming sound from your AirPods Pro 2 case when the AirPods are charging, it's a feature that Apple added with the launch of Hearing Health last year. In a support guide, Apple says that the AirPods Pro may play a sound every so often while in the case to ensure the microphones and speakers are working as intended. From Apple: To help ensure that your AirPods...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected This Year: Here's What We Know

Wednesday January 8, 2025 7:05 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...