Signal Finally Supports Secure Message Backups on iPhone

Signal now provides secure, encrypted backups for iPhone users. This new feature allows people to save and restore their message history. The option was first released for Android devices in September.

The encrypted messaging platform confirmed the rollout this week. It gives users a way to recover conversations if they lose or change their phone. This addresses a major concern for privacy-focused individuals.

Free and Paid Backup Plans Explained

Signal offers two distinct backup tiers. The free version stores up to 100MB of data. This includes text messages, photos, videos, and files from the last 45 days.

The paid subscription costs $1.99 monthly. It provides significantly more capacity. Users can back up all text messages and up to 100GB of media with no age restrictions.

Access to these backups is controlled by a unique key. The system generates a 64-character recovery code on the user’s device. Signal cannot restore data if this key is lost, ensuring only the user holds the decryption key.

Broader Implications for User Privacy and Platform Growth

This move strengthens Signal’s position in the secure messaging market. It directly answers user demands for robust data preservation. According to Reuters, such features are increasingly important for consumer app choice.

The feature enhances user control over private data. It also reduces friction for those switching between iPhones. Signal plans to extend this backup system to its desktop applications soon.

A longer-term goal involves cross-platform history transfers. This would allow seamless movement between Android, iPhone, and desktop apps. It represents a significant technical step toward true platform independence.

Signal’s new iPhone secure backups mark a pivotal upgrade for user data sovereignty. The feature provides a critical safety net for private conversations. This development solidifies the app’s commitment to comprehensive user privacy.

Info at your fingertips

How do I enable secure backups on my iPhone?

Open the Signal app and go to Settings. Select Backups and then tap ‘Setup’ followed by ‘Enable Backups’. The app will then guide you through generating a recovery key and choosing a plan.

What happens if I lose my 64-character recovery key?

Signal cannot help you recover your backup. The key is the only way to decrypt your saved data. You must store it securely, as it is essential for restoring your message history.

Is there a free backup option available?

Yes, a free plan is available. It backs up 100MB of your data, including messages and media from the last 45 days. This is suitable for users with lighter messaging activity.

What are the main benefits of the paid subscription?

The paid plan removes storage and age limits. For $1.99 a month, it backs up all your texts and up to 100GB of media files, regardless of how old they are.

Will Signal backups work across different devices?

Currently, backups are device-specific. However, Signal has announced plans to allow message history transfers between Android, iPhone, and desktop in the future.