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Android On-Device Backups

What Are On-Device Backups?

On-device backups are encrypted backup files stored directly on your Android device. They are used to save and restore your Signal message history without using Signal Secure Backups.

Key Points

  • Make sure Signal is up to date.
  • When you create an On-Device backup, Signal generates a 30-digit passphrase.
  • This passphrase is required to restore the backup.
  • You must manually create a backup or set an On-Device backup schedule.
  • Backups include all messages and media available at the time of the backup.
     

Additional Information

  • You cannot restore without the backup file, and the 30-digit passphrase.
  • Disappearing messages with short timers (one day or less) are not included.

How to Create an On-Device Backup

  1. Open Signal and navigate to Signal Settings profile_avatar.png > Backups.
  2. Tap On-device backups > Create Backup. Here you can also schedule a recurring backup time.
  3. (Android 10+) Choose a folder for storing backup files.
  4. Carefully record the 30-digit passphrase and store it safely.
  5. Tap Enable backups, then tap Create backup.
  6. Copy the generated backup file to a safe place (computer, SD card, etc.).

Backup Filename Format

signal-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM.backup

How to Restore an On-Device Backup

  • Make sure you have enabled and created a Signal on-device backup on the Android device that has your Signal message history.
  • Move the backup file onto the new device’s internal storage.
  • On the new Android device install Signal.

  • Open Signal > Select Transfer or restore account > Restore from backup.

    android_restore_from_backup.png

  • Select your Signal backup file. 
  • Enter your 30-digit passphrase.
  • Complete registration to restore your messages and media.

Additional Information

What if my last backup says "Never"?

  • Make sure you have created a Signal on-device backup on the Android device that has your Signal message history.
  • Enable permissions for Signal:
    Android Phone Settings > Apps or Apps & Notifications > Signal > App Permissions or Permissions > Enable all permissions.
  • Free up space on your phone.
  • Temporarily unmount or disable your external SD card so the backup can be saved to your internal memory.

Where can I find the backup file?

  • On your Android device where the backup was created and saved, you can find the folder containing the Signal backup file by navigating to Signal Settings profile_avatar.png > Backups > On-device backups > Backup folder.
  • For older versions of Signal, the backup file signal-year-month-date-time.backup can be found at  /Internal Storage/Signal/Backups or /sdcard/Signal/Backups.

What if I forget my 30-digit passphrase and need to restore messages on a new phone?

  • You will be unable to restore a backup without the passphrase. Think of the 30-digit passphrase as a key that can not be duplicated. You can create a new backup to create a new passphrase.

I am having issues with On-Device Backups

  • Make sure your backup file is available on the Android device where you want to restore.
  • Some devices may need to power down and restart to see the backup file.
  • Make sure the backup file is visible. As a reminder, backup file names follow this format: signal-year-month-date-time.backup.
  • Enable all the permissions for Signal.
    • The media permission is required in order to locate backup files on your device storage.

 Still need help? Check out the troubleshooting page for Android On-Device Backups.

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