People around the world are now switching to American messaging application Signal after WhatsApp changed its privacy policy asking more than a billion of its users outside the European Union and Britain to accept the new terms and conditions or lose access to the platform on February 8.

Signal, which has been downloaded by millions of new users globally, can be troublesome for beginners. Here’s a detailed guide on how to set up and use Signal easily.

How to set up Signal

Like any other app, you can download Signal from Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store. Just like WhatsApp you need to enter your mobile number to set up the account. The application will send you a one-time password for verification via SMS or you can also choose the option for verification via call.

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After confirmation, you need to set up a PIN code for your security. According to Signal, this keeps the information stored within the app encrypted ensuring that only you can access it. The following steps include adding a profile picture and name to start using Signal.

Signal app settings

There are a lot of settings on Signal that will give you a combined user experience of WhatsApp and Telegram.

You can change the app’s appearance by selecting light or dark theme or system-wide settings, tweak the privacy settings, notifications, see other linked devices, and also go to Advanced Settings. The Help option is also there in the Settings, and an option to Donate to Signal as well given it is run by a non-profit.

Find contacts on Signal

To find your contacts on Signal, you need to click on the pen symbol. On iOS, you’ll find it on top while on Android, it’s on the bottom. The symbol is basically to start a conversation but it gives you a hint of which of your contacts are available on the platform. You can select the person by name or manually add their number.

Also read: We don’t share chats, location with Facebook: WhatsApp clarifies on new privacy policy

Disappearing messages on Signal

Just like Telegram, Signal has an option to disappear messages in a time frame. Tap on the user name, and you will see the option for disappearing messages in the list of options. Just turn it on. You can set a time from five seconds to one week, and the messages in the chat will disappear after they have been seen.

Create a new group on Signal

To create a new group, find the pen symbol and you will see the option for starting a New Group. See the contact list, choose the people, add a group name, add a photo and create the group. Although keep in mind that your friends will have to accept your invitation. You can share Group Links as well to invite more members via a link. In the Member requests section, you can see if there are pending invites or anyone requested to join the group.

The additional chat settings like disappearing messages are available on groups as well. The maximum number of group members is 150.

Chat experience on Signal

Just like any other messaging application, Signal also has the functionality that enables the user to send emojis, stickers and GIFs, photos, videos, location, file, contacts and music. Each Signal chat has the option for video and group call. Group calls are currently limited to 5 participants.

Signal’s backup policy

In simple words, Signal does not have third-party cloud backups like WhatsApp. So when you reinstall Signal on a new device, the old chats will not come back. However, Signal does have some steps for those who wish to transfer data from the older device, but for this purpose, you need to have the device with you. 

Also read: Turkey announces probe into Facebook-WhatsApp data sharing

Signal’s encryption policy

Each Signal conversation has a “unique safety number” that allows the user to verify the security of messages and calls with that specific contact, same as WhatsApp.

Signal lets you verify the safety number with each chat, to ensure that the chat is end-to-end secured. You can tap on the individual’s name on top of the chat, and view the Safety Number and mark it as verified. You can share that number with the friend and ask them to double-check or you can scan the QR code on your friend’s phone if they are nearby and verify the chat.

Signal is developed by the Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger.