X
Signal - Private Messenger logo

Signal - Private Messenger for iOS

By Open Whisper Systems Free Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

shelbybrown Nov 23, 2016

Signal Private Messenger for iOS provides end-to-end encrypted chat and voice calls, so you can communicate with friends without worry.

Pros

End-to-end encryption: Communications are encrypted end to end, and none of your data is saved on Signal's server.

Screen security: Signal also offers a feature called Screen Security, which prevents anyone from taking screenshots of your messages. To enable this option, go to Settings, Privacy, then Enable Screen Security.

Clear History Logs: Under Settings, you can tap Clear History Logs every once in a while to delete your message, attachment, and call history.

Private or group chat: Signal allows you to create encrypted groups for secret conversations with multiple people. Better yet, the app doesn't retain any group metadata on its server.

Lightning-fast messaging: In testing, messages were delivered almost instantaneously.

Open source: Signal's code is open source, which means that it's available for audit. Check it out at GitHub.

Cons

Bare bones messaging: Whereas competing apps enable you to send everything from GIFs and emoticons to voice messages, payments, and location info, Signal only enables you to send texts, photos, and videos.

Poor call quality: In testing, we were not wowed by Signal's lackluster call quality.

Bottom Line

While Signal for iOS isn't as feature-rich as competing apps, it is strong on privacy. So if you want to keep your communications private, then you should definitely give it a try.

More stories

Signal for Android review

Secure messaging apps

Facebook Messenger unveils Secret Conversations

Full Specifications

What's new in version 2.15.3

â?¢ Fixed intermittent crash while scrolling through messages.

â?¢ Fixed source of phantom "New Message" notification.

â?¢ Fixed unintentional call hangup when on shoddy networks.

â?¢ Updated translations.

Other recent changes:

â?¢ Keep group accessible after last message in the group conversation is deleted.

â?¢ Fixed a crash on launch on iOS 8.

â?¢ Fixed disappearing group conversations.

â?¢ Fixed copy/paste of gifs that also contain text/links.

â?¢ Added RTL language support. Email support@whispersystems.org to contribute to translations of RTL languages - Arabic, Hebrew, Persian/Farsi, Urdu.

â?¢ Modified registration view to indicate the need for a cell phone prefix for Mexican phone numbers (+521).

â?¢ Improved UIUX layout glitches for group threads after the first message is sent.

â?¢ Improved registration flow to prevent and fix instances of "one way" messaging with a contact.

â?¢ Removed empty 1:1 conversation threads from displaying.

â?¢ Updated to refresh the inbox view when necessary.

â?¢ Fixed separate crashes for some users on iOS10, when deleting a thread, and updates from older versions of Signal.

â?¢ Changed to prompt for contacts permission when adding unsaved numbers to existing contacts.

General

Release October 10, 2017
Date Added October 10, 2017
Version 2.15.3

Operating Systems

Operating Systems iOS
Additional Requirements Compatible with: iPad2Wifi, iPad23G, iPhone4S, iPadThirdGen, iPadThirdGen4G, iPhone5, iPodTouchFifthGen, iPadFourthGen, iPadFourthGen4G, iPadMini, iPadMini4G, iPhone5c, iPhone5s, iPadAir, iPadAirCellular, iPadMiniRetina, iPadMiniRetinaCellular, iPhone6, iPhone6Plus, iPadAir2, iPadAir2Cellular, iPadMini3, iPadMini3Cellular, iPodTouchSixthGen, iPhone6s, iPhone6sPlus, iPadMini4, iPadMini4Cellular, iPadPro, iPadProCellular, iPadPro97, iPadPro97Cellular, iPhoneSE, iPhone7, iPhone7Plus, iPad611, iPad612, iPad71, iPad72, iPad73, iPad74

Popularity

Total Downloads 7,076
Downloads Last Week 1
Report Software

Related Apps

WhatsApp Messenger logo

WhatsApp Messenger

Free
WhatsApp Messenger

Facebook

Free
Facebook
Messenger logo

Messenger

Free
Messenger
Telegram Messenger logo

Telegram Messenger

Free
Telegram Messenger

Developer's Description

Privacy is possible, Signal makes it easy. Using Signal, you can communicate instantly while avoiding SMS fees, create groups so that you can chat in real time with all your friends at once, and share media all with complete privacy. The server never has access to any of your communication and never stores any of your data. Say Anything - Signal uses an advanced end to end encryption protocol that provides privacy for every message every time. Open Source - Signal is Free and Open Source, enabling anyone to verify its security by auditing the code. Signal is the only private messenger that uses open source peer-reviewed cryptographic protocols to keep your messages safe. Be Yourself - Signal uses your existing phone number and address book. There are no separate logins, usernames, passwords, or PINs to manage or lose. Group Chat - Signal allows you to create encrypted groups so you can have private conversations with all your friends at once. Not only are the messages encrypted, but the Signal server never has access to any group metadata such as the membership list, group title, or group icon. Fast - The Signal protocol is designed to operate in the most constrained environment possible. Using Signal, messages are instantly delivered to friends. Speak Freely - Make crystal-clear voice and video calls to people who live across town, or across the ocean, with no long-distance charges. For support, questions, or more information, please visit: http://support. whispersystems.org. Source code: https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-iOS. Follow us on Twitter (@WhisperSystems) for all of the latest updates and announcements.
Promo image for CNET Shopping

Get the best price on everything

Shop your favorite products and we’ll find the best deal with a single click. Designed to make shopping easier.