Encrypted messaging app Signal has introduced a new account transfer feature to make it easier for users to migrate their chat history to a new iPhone or iPad.
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The feature is part of Signal's version 3.9.1 update that was released last week, but the company officially announced it in a blog post on Tuesday.
Signal iOS now includes a new feature that makes it possible to switch to a brand-new iPhone or iPad while securely transferring Signal information from your existing iOS device. As with every new Signal feature, the process is end-to-end encrypted and designed to protect your privacy. Transfers also occur over a local connection (similar to AirDrop), so even large migrations can be completed quickly.
If you have your old iOS device and the new one to hand, you can transfer your Signal account and messages by following these steps.
- Download the Signal app on your new iPhone or iPad.
- Launch Signal on the new iOS device and begin the setup process.
- Enter your phone number in the Signal app, then choose Transfer from iOS device.
- Look for the migration prompt on your old iOS device, and confirm that you want to start the transfer process.
- Use your old device to scan the QR code displayed on the new device.
- Wait a few minutes for the transfer process to complete.
Check out the Signal blog post for further details on how the encrypted transfer process works.
Signal Private Messenger is a free download [Direct Link] for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store.
Top Rated Comments
SMS isn’t secure and not cheap for international texting.To everyone complaining they're forced to use Whatsapp - but did you actually try not using it? People who really need to reach you can use SMS
Telegram is ok, but not better then Signal. Signals encryption is on by default where Telegram isn’t. And when you turn on the encryption for Telegram, you’re tied to one device, where Signals encryption works across many devices.For me Telegram is the best option, but the 'standard' is Whatsapp whether we like it or not. I held out as long as I could but I had to start using WhatsApp as literally all my contacts do.
I held out too until the virus hit. I wanted to check up on friends all over the world and WhatsApp was the way to go. It’s not bad actually.
So it's a great feature that still won't make me switch to Signal, even though I'd love to.
I'm guessing if you got a new phone and restored from your old phone backup that it would have included your old chat history automatically without going through this process?
Some of us communicate with people all over the world. Texting with SMS is too expensive and too limiting.To everyone complaining they're forced to use Whatsapp - but did you actually try not using it? People who really need to reach you can use SMS
I keep reading this advice here - either use sms or do not use whatsapp which is the standard!! in many European countries - . We should take under consideration the cosmopolitan environment where lot of people live - so they need to communicate globally -, the fact that sms is too limiting and that is costs money to some people. We can't force everybody to start paying for it.
You're selectively ignoring other issues with SMS that have been mentioned above , for example the cost factor! Some people care about cost, some about privacy, some about the zero features sms has..And your point is what? You think "most people" give a heck about encryption for basic communication?
Anyway, im not installing whatsapp, i have plenty of messaging apps already and I dont want yet another one that is also now owned by facebook.
Let me ask your personal opinion. I have a patient 70 years old who uses Whatsapp. As I mentioned it's the standard app here in Europe. Should I force him to change his app or should I already have Whatsapp on my device so he can communicate with me?