Signal Now Allows Chat History Transfer on iOS

Secure messaging app Signal has added the ability to transfer one’s chat history on iOS devices.

Signal is a popular messaging app that is widely considered to be the most secure messaging platform available. It is used by Edward Snowden, and even Senate staff are encouraged to use it.

One glaring issues on iOS has been the inability to transfer your chat history to a new device. Instead, moving to a new device meant leaving behind all your Signal threads (this writer can personally attest to how frustrating it was). Now, however, it seems Signal has finally brought this feature to iOS.

“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,” writes Nora Trapp on Signal’s blog. “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.”

The only caveat is the transfer process requires access to the old phone, so it won’t work if it has been sold, lost or stolen. As long as you still have the old phone, however, simply install Signal on the new phone and go through the registration process. After entering your number, the app will ask if you want to transfer your messages from your old device. If you opt to migrate, your old phone will provide a migration prompt, while the new phone will generate a QR code. Scan the QR code on the new phone with the old one and the transfer will begin.

This is excellent news for Signal fans and eliminates one of the few pain points associated with having the most secure communication possible.