Signal has introduced a highly requested feature: secure, end-to-end encrypted message backups for both Android and iPhone users. This feature builds upon the Android backup system launched earlier, providing privacy-conscious users a way to keep their chat histories safe and recoverable even if devices are lost or damaged, all without compromising Signal’s strict security model.
The backups are protected by a unique 64-character recovery key generated on the user’s device, which encodes a “Secure Backup Archive” containing messages and media. Neither Signal nor any cloud provider can access or read this data without the key, maintaining Signal’s end-to-end encryption and data privacy principles. Unlike Apple’s iCloud backups that may be linked to Apple IDs and partially accessible to Apple under certain settings, Signal’s backups do not rely on any platform storage tied to user accounts. Instead, control over the recovery key remains solely with the user, enhancing security and privacy.
Signal offers two backup plans: a free tier that stores up to 100MB of text messages and temporarily holds photos, videos, files, and GIFs for 45 days, and a paid subscription at $1.99 per month that increases media storage to 100GB indefinitely. The paid plan suits heavy media sharers by preserving attachments permanently alongside messages.
To enable backups on iPhone, users must update to the latest Signal version, navigate to Profile > Signal Settings > Backups > Setup, and enable backups. The app then generates the recovery key, which users must securely save as it cannot be recovered by Signal if lost. Users verify the key and select their storage tier. The process balances robust privacy with the critical need for usability in backup management.
Comparatively, WhatsApp also offers end-to-end encrypted backups protected by keys or passwords, iMessage backups can be end-to-end encrypted with Apple’s Advanced Data Protection but are tightly integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, and Telegram’s cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default, relying on “Secret Chats” for encryption but lacking cross-device sync. Signal’s approach uniquely combines multi-device convenience with privacy by ensuring backups remain unreadable to Signal or service providers.
This feature is especially crucial for people prone to device loss or damage, such as journalists, activists, and privacy-minded users, allowing recovery of conversations securely across devices. Signal plans to extend this functionality to desktop apps and enable cross-platform transfer of encrypted histories between Android, iOS, and desktop, improving ease of use and maintaining the service’s privacy standards. Users are strongly advised to store their recovery keys safely in password managers or offline copies, avoiding cloud or screenshot storage to prevent accidental loss or exposure.
Signal’s encrypted backups close a significant convenience gap while preserving the app’s trusted privacy and security model, ensuring resilience without exposing user data to unnecessary risks
