Signal 8.17.0

Signal editor's review: private messaging with robust encryption and minimal tracking

Signal is a cross-platform messaging app focused on privacy, security, and a clean user experience. Built and maintained by a nonprofit organization, Signal combines industry-leading end-to-end encryption with practical features for everyday communication: text, voice, video, file sharing, and group collaboration without ad tracking or invasive data collection.

Security and privacy features

• End-to-end encryption for messages, voice and video calls, attachments, and group conversations, implemented via the open-source Signal Protocol.
• Minimal metadata collection: Signal deliberately limits the data stored on its servers to protect user privacy.
• Optional registration lock and PIN to protect profile settings and prevent unauthorized re-registration of your phone number.
• Disappearing messages and view-once media for ephemeral communication, with configurable timers per conversation.
• Encrypted backups and secure transfer options to preserve conversations when moving devices (platform options vary by OS), keeping message content inaccessible to third parties.
• Contact discovery that uses privacy-preserving techniques to match contacts without uploading plain phonebooks to servers.

Calling, chat, and group capabilities

• High-quality encrypted voice and video calls with low latency, including one-to-one and group calls that scale to dozens of participants for team conversations or family catch-ups.
• Rich messaging: send text, voice notes, photos, videos, GIFs, documents, and location with the same encryption guarantees as standard chats.
• Group chats that support large memberships with admin controls for posting and member management, and subject to evolving limits set by the app.
• Threaded replies, reactions, mentions, and group links to make coordination easier while maintaining privacy safeguards.

Design, usability, and platform support

• Clean, intuitive interface across mobile and desktop clients—Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux—synchronizing messages securely between linked devices.
• Lightweight performance that works over cellular or Wi‑Fi, using your device’s data connection to avoid SMS/MMS fees.
• Accessibility and customization options, including message font sizing, dark mode, and notification controls for granular user preferences.
• Open-source codebase available for audit and contribution, reinforcing transparency and community trust.

Support, governance, and business model

• Operated by a nonprofit foundation and funded through grants and donations rather than advertising or data monetization.
• Comprehensive help resources and user documentation for troubleshooting, privacy features, and account management maintained by the official support site.
• Active development with regular security updates and feature improvements driven by community feedback and independent review.

Who should use Signal

• Users who prioritize private, encrypted communication without ads or commercial tracking.
• Journalists, activists, and professionals who need reliable confidentiality and minimal metadata exposure.
• Everyday users who want a fast, simple messaging app with robust privacy defaults and cross-device support.

Signal delivers a privacy-first messaging experience with strong encryption, transparent development, and practical features for modern communication across devices.