New to Signal? We clarify easy methods to use the app, add contacts, and extra

Signal, a non-public messaging app, is at present topping charts on Apple’s App Store, forward of rivals Telegram and WhatsApp. The shift in the direction of Signal has been pushed by the change in WhatsApp’s privateness coverage, which has triggered an uproar. While Signal has many options that one would have seen on WhatsApp or different messaging apps, the brand new person interface can go away some customers confused. We clarify intimately easy methods to arrange, use Signal, and the important thing options.
Signal app: How to arrange
You can obtain the Signal app from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. The developer title is Signal Messenger, LLC. Just like WhatsApp you could enter your cellular quantity to arrange the account.

When you first obtain Signal, it can ask you on your cellular quantity to create an account . Just like on WhatsApp you get a verification code in your SMS app, which is then used to confirm your account. You can then add your title, profile photograph and begin utilizing Signal.
How to seek out Signal app settings on Android and iOS
On Android, you will note the three dot menu on prime. Tap on that, and you will note choices for New Group, Mark all Read, Invite Friends and Settings.
In iOS, faucet in your profile image or account title on the highest left nook, and the Settings menu ought to open up.
You can change the app’s look from right here (Dark or Light theme or system extensive settings), tweak the privateness settings, notifications, see different linked gadgets, and in addition go to Advanced Settings. The Help possibility can also be there within the Settings, and an choice to Donate to Signal as properly given it’s run by a non-profit.
What is that this PIN, why does it hold asking it each time I open the app?
When you arrange Signal the primary time, it can ask you to create a PIN. Signal says this retains the data saved inside the app encrypted guaranteeing that solely you possibly can entry it. What it additionally does is once you restore Signal on the identical system, your earlier profile, settings and contacts are restored. So be sure to set a PIN that you’ll keep in mind. Signal says the PIN reminders might be much less frequent time beyond regulation.

Read extra: Thinking of switching to Signal? Here’s a lowdown on the WhatsApp various

In Android and iOS you possibly can flip off PIN reminders within the settings. In Android and iOS, go to Settings>Privacy> Pin Reminders and switch it off.
I simply reinstalled Signal on my new iPhone or Android system. I don’t see any contacts or earlier chats.
Signal doesn’t have third-party cloud backups like WhatsApp. So once you reinstall Signal on a brand new system, the previous chats is not going to come again. However Signal does have some steps for individuals who want to switch knowledge from the older system, although bear in mind these solely work when you have got entry to the previous system in query, which could not be potential for everybody.
Privacy Settings in Signal app. (Image created by Gargi Singh)
We clarify under easy methods to add your contacts and buddies to the app.
How do I discover contacts on Signal? I don’t see any of my contacts utilizing this app. I’m utilizing it for the primary time.
On iOS, you will note a Pen image on prime. Tap on it. This is to start out a brand new Message. But additionally, you will see an possibility to go looking by Phone quantity. You can manually enter a buddies’ cellphone quantity and discover out if they’re on the app and message them. Once they settle for your chat request, you possibly can proceed chatting with them.
 
You will even discover the choice to Invite buddies to Signal right here. Tap on it and you’ll be given a option to ship a message or mail to ask them to Signal. If you scroll down, you may see a listing of buddies who’re utilizing Signal. Tap on any good friend’s title and message them to start out chatting.
How to share invite to Signal with different buddies on Android.
On Android too, faucet the Pen image, which is on the backside. Here, a listing of contacts utilizing the app must be seen. Tap on the good friend’s title and ship them a message. To invite buddies who usually are not utilizing the app, faucet on the three dot menu on prime and select invite buddies. You can select to share that hyperlink which is generated with contacts and even ahead straight on WhatsApp with the select easy methods to Share possibility.
How do I create a Group on Signal?
On Android and iOS, simply faucet on the Pen image and you will note the choice for beginning a New Group. Tap on it, you will note a listing of buddies who’re utilizing the app. Choose your folks, Add Group Name which is optionally available and a gaggle photograph in case you want to and create the group. But understand that buddies must settle for the invite to the group. Just as a result of somebody is in your contacts, doesn’t imply they’re mechanically added to a gaggle created by you. You can share Group Links as properly to ask extra members through a hyperlink and in addition toggle on an choice to approve new members who’re added. In the Member requests phase, you possibly can see if there are pending invitations or any requests to hitch the group.

Read extra: How to maneuver your WhatsApp teams to Signal

Like WhatsApp, the group has admins. If you created the group, you might be an admin. You can limit addition of latest members, modifying group info to only admins as properly. Further disappearing messages may be turned on for group chats as properly. You can faucet on any person’s title and make them a gaggle admin as properly. Each group can have a most of 150 members.
Why does Signal hold asking me to confirm chats with my contacts?
Each Signal chat has a “unique safety number” that means that you can confirm the safety of your messages and calls with that particular contact in query. You would have observed on WhatsApp, which additionally makes use of the identical Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption (E2E), each time your contacts swap to a brand new system, the chat has a message that their safety code has modified.
Signal helps you to confirm the security quantity with every chat, to make sure that the chat is E2E secured. You can faucet on the person’s title on prime of the chat, and look at the Safety Number and mark it as verified. You can share that quantity with the good friend and ask them to double verify it as properly. Or you possibly can scan the QR code in your good friend’s cellphone if they’re close by and confirm the chat.
The chat interface on Signal, together with the share possibility, the audio name and stickers. (Image supply: Screenshots taken of Signal app. Image created by Gargi Singh)
“A checkmark will appear in the chat header by your contact’s name when the safety number is marked as verified,” in response to Signal. The firm’s help web page additionally provides, ‘it can stay verified until the security quantity modifications otherwise you manually change the verification standing.” This security quantity modifications once you swap to a brand new system.
Can I arrange disappearing messages on Signal?
Yes, you possibly can faucet on a person chat or group chat and arrange disappearing messages. Tap on the person or group title, and you will note the toggle button for disappearing messages within the listing of choices. Just flip it on. You can set a time from 5 seconds to 1 week, and the messages within the chat will disappear after they’ve seen.
Settings for group chats in Signal. (Image created by Gargi Singh)
What about video and audio calls?
Each Signal chat has the choice for video and group name. For group calls, everybody must be on the brand new model of teams and never older legacy teams, so be sure to are on the most recent model of the app. We did discover that group video calls have been a little bit robust to start out and the expertise buggy. You additionally must be sure that everybody within the group has verified security numbers to ensure that the group video name to proceed. On the video name entrance, Signal nonetheless wants a variety of work. Group calls are at present restricted to five members.
Can I share photographs, information and GIFs on Signal?
Yes, simply faucet on the plus image subsequent to the textual content bot in every chat. You will see choices for digital camera, GIF, File, Contacts and Location Sharing. If faucet on the mic image you possibly can ship audio messages as properly.