According to The Verge, Signal is launching secure backups on iOS that let users save and restore messages when switching or replacing devices. The free version stores up to 100MB of text messages plus the past 45 days’ worth of photos, videos, GIFs, and files. There’s also a $1.99 per month premium option that backs up all text messages and up to 100GB of media beyond the 45-day limit. Signal first introduced this feature on Android back in September 2023, using end-to-end encryption to protect backups. Users access their backup with a 64-character recovery key generated on their device, though Signal warns it can’t help recover lost codes. The feature is available now in Settings > Backups where users can choose between free or paid plans after confirming their recovery key.
Signal finally catches up
Here’s the thing – Signal has been playing catch-up on this feature for a while. Most messaging apps have offered some form of backup for years, but Signal’s commitment to privacy made this tricky. They couldn’t just dump everything on iCloud or Google Drive like competitors do. So they built their own encrypted solution, which is great for security but means users have to manage their own recovery keys. No “forgot password” option here – lose that 64-character code and you’re basically starting from scratch.
The freemium privacy play
This is actually pretty clever pricing strategy from a company that’s traditionally been all-free, all-the-time. The free tier gives you enough to feel the feature out – 100MB of texts covers most casual users, and 45 days of media retention handles the “oops I deleted something important” scenario. But if you’re a power user with years of conversation history? That $1.99 monthly fee starts looking pretty reasonable. It’s a sustainable way to fund development without compromising their privacy-first ethos. And let’s be real – after years of relying on donations, Signal probably needs the revenue.
Where this leaves the competition
So how does this stack up against WhatsApp and iMessage? Well, WhatsApp offers free unlimited backups through iCloud or Google Drive, but they’re not end-to-end encrypted by default. iMessage backups through iCloud can be encrypted, but you’re locked into Apple’s ecosystem. Signal’s approach gives you platform independence – they’re already planning cross-platform transfers between Android, iOS, and desktop. That’s huge for people who switch devices frequently or use multiple platforms. The trade-off? You’re responsible for your own security key management. Basically, you get more control but more responsibility too.
What’s coming next
Signal’s clearly building toward something bigger here. The official documentation mentions desktop backups are coming, and the ability to transfer encrypted history between platforms could be a game-changer. Imagine moving from iPhone to Android without losing your Signal conversations – that’s something even iMessage can’t do. The company’s recent tweet suggests they’re thinking hard about making privacy-focused features actually usable for normal people. Because let’s face it – the most secure feature in the world is useless if nobody can figure out how to use it properly.
