Signal is introducing an opt-in feature that enables users to create end-to-end encrypted backups of their chats, allowing them to restore their messages even if their phone is lost or damaged. This new functionality is currently available in the latest beta version for Android users, with plans to expand to iOS and desktop devices soon. The move marks a significant step for the company, which has a long-standing commitment to user privacy and security.
To manage the significant costs associated with data storage, Signal is offering both free and paid tiers for this new service. The free tier includes secure backups for all text messages and the last 45 days of media, with a storage limit of 100 MiB. For users who need more, a paid subscription is available for $1.99 per month. This plan offers expanded storage up to 100 GB and includes the ability to back up media history beyond the initial 45-day limit. This is the first time Signal has introduced a paid feature, a decision that Jim O’Leary, Signal’s VP of Engineering, explained is necessary to cover the high costs of storing and transferring large amounts of data.
Once a user enables secure backups from the settings menu, their device will automatically back up their chats daily. This automated process replaces the previous day’s archive, ensuring the backup is always up to date. However, there are a few exceptions: messages scheduled to disappear within the next 24 hours and view-once messages are not included in the backup. This selective approach helps maintain the integrity of time-sensitive and ephemeral content while still providing a robust backup solution for the majority of a user’s conversation history.
A critical component of this new feature is the creation of a unique, 64-character recovery key. This key is generated directly on the user’s device and is never shared with Signal. It is the sole method for decrypting and restoring messages from a backup. As Jim O’Leary emphasized, losing this key means permanently losing access to the backup, as Signal cannot help recover it. While users can generate a new key at any time, this process is essential to maintaining end-to-end encryption and ensuring that only the user can access their data.
This new backup feature builds on a series of recent privacy enhancements from Signal. Earlier this year, the company enabled end-to-end encrypted synchronization of old messages from primary devices to newly linked ones, such as iPads and desktops. More recently, it made “screen security” the default for Windows 11 users to prevent Microsoft’s AI-powered Recall feature from capturing screenshots of conversations. Last year, Signal also introduced custom usernames, allowing users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. These updates reflect Signal’s ongoing commitment to strengthening user privacy and control.
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