Signal Private Messenger Rolls Out Encrypted Group Video Calls Feature

Encrypted messaging app Signal is rolling out support for encrypted group video calls with up to five participants in its latest update.

group calling hero compressed
In a blog post announcing the update, Signal developer Randall-Signal explained:

Today, we're launching group calls in Signal with the latest versions of our apps. Group calls are free, private, and end-to-end encrypted — like everything else on Signal.

Now when you open a group chat in Signal, you'll see a video call button at the top. When you start a call, the group will receive a notification letting them know a call has started.

When you start or join a group call, Signal will display the participants in a grid view. You can also swipe up to switch to a view that automatically focuses the screen on who is speaking, and it will update in real time as the active speaker changes.

Group calls are only supported in new style Signal groups, so users won't see the call button in their legacy groups, but the developers say legacy Signal groups will start automatically updating to New Groups in the coming weeks.

Group calls are currently limited to 5 participants, but developers are working to let users have more participants in a group call soon.

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

Tag: Signal

Top Rated Comments

Mac Fly (film) Avatar
39 months ago
The only encrypted message sender besides iMessage which I somewhat trust. Pity I can't convince people to use it.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kstotlani Avatar
39 months ago

The only encrypted message sender besides iMessage which I somewhat trust. Pity I can't convince people to use it.
Agree. I can’t even convince my wife to use it but then again I can’t convince her for most things.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rebelbasesloaded Avatar
39 months ago

The only encrypted message sender besides iMessage which I somewhat trust. Pity I can't convince people to use it.
I basically told the 4 people I know that have Android phones that I wasn't using WhatsApp, and they'd need to get Signal if they wanted to keep messaging me. Thankfully it didn't take much convincing at all; just a reminder that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook. And they also all seem to like Signal's nicer interface.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulCC Avatar
39 months ago

Secret is a type of technology meant to be used to keep things secret. Only people truly needing to keep secrecy in their lives have a need to use Secret.app. Journo’s, state actors, activists, C-suites and sensitive information ot informants are those I’ve seen or heard use the app
But in order for the rest of us to support people whose lives might even depend on keeping their communication secret (journalists and activists in the many authoritarian countries ), we should all use encrypted and secure communication.
I got this idea from Phil Zimmermann, the author of PGP, who worked on a project with me long time ago - if we all use postcards, and only people that need privacy use letters in envelopes, we help the "bad guys" in zooming in on the people that need privacy.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vidd Avatar
39 months ago

The only encrypted message sender besides iMessage which I somewhat trust. Pity I can't convince people to use it.
It's hard to convince people to trade familiarity for security. "Facebook already has all my info anyway".
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
39 months ago

Probably messenger fatigue. There are so many options people aren’t inclined to install, in their minds , yet another messager to further fragment their contacts. Line, WhatsApp, Fb msger, Skype, Viber, Telegram, Band, etc etc. “Hey did you get my message?” “No which app?”

I use signal and think it’s great. But I understand the apprehension. Too bad Apple won’t make iMessage x platform and I could finally just delete all of them.
I won’t use anything besides Signal or iMessage. If someone is set on using WhatsApp and the like, he or she can keep looking for other socially focused people who don’t could care less about privacy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo

Apple Discontinued These 5 Products This Year

Monday November 27, 2023 7:03 am PST by
As the end of 2023 nears, now is a good opportunity to look back at some of the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Apple products discontinued in 2023 include the iPhone 13 mini, 13-inch MacBook Pro, MagSafe Battery Pack, MagSafe Duo Charger, and leather accessories. Also check out our lists of Apple products discontinued in 2022 and 2021. iPhone Mini ...
ios 17 namedrop

Police Departments and News Sites Spreading Misinformation About How iOS 17 NameDrop Feature Works

Monday November 27, 2023 5:11 pm PST by
Apple with iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 introduced a new NameDrop feature that is designed to allow users to place Apple devices near one another to quickly exchange contact information. Sharing contact information is done with explicit user permission, but some news organizations and police departments have been spreading misinformation about how functions. As noted by The Washington Post,...
iOS 17

iOS 17.1.2 Update for iPhone Likely to Be Released This Week

Monday November 27, 2023 8:24 am PST by
Apple will likely release iOS 17.1.2 this week, based on mounting evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs in recent days. As a minor update, iOS 17.1.2 should be focused on bug fixes, but it's unclear exactly which issues might be addressed. Some users have continued to experience Wi-Fi issues on iOS 17.1.1, so perhaps iOS 17.1.2 will include the same fix for Wi-Fi...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Week Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Week has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find some of the same deals still around for the next few days, although many from Black Friday have now expired. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...