Signal offers several secure options for backing up or transferring your messages, depending on your device and situation.
Signal Secure Backups are an optional, secure backup solution that store your messages and recent media using end-to-end encryption and a recovery key, allowing you to restore your chat history if your device is lost, damaged, or replaced.
Device to device transfers let you move your message history during setup between compatible devices on Android and iOS. Both devices must be available, and transfers only work within the same platform.
On-device backups are available on Android, iOS and Desktop. Create encrypted backup files stored locally on your device and protected by a passphrase. These only work during device transfers or reinstalls within the same platform, and requires the backup file. For example, an Android or Desktop on-device backup file cannot be restored on an iOS device.
Together, these offerings balance privacy, security, and flexibility. The table below compares which option fits best for recovery and migration scenarios:
| Use Case | Signal Secure Backups |
Device Transfer Android and iOS |
On-device backups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reinstalling Signal, after a factory reset or app deletion | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Phone lost, stolen, or damaged | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Replace phone, same platform (Android to Android, old phone available) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Replace phone, same platform (iOS to iOS, old phone available) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ |
| Replace phone, different platform (Android to iOS, iOS to Android, old phone available) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Upgrade to new phone (old phone not available) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Transfer phone, same platform (Android to Android, iOS to iOS) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Transfer phone, different platform (Android to iOS, iOS to Android) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Switch phones but want backup retained afterward | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (moves history) | ❌ No |
| I don't want to use Signal Secure Backups | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Need full media history (>45 days) | ✅ Paid tier | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Recover chat history from linked Desktop | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Recover chat history from linked iPad | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| New phone number | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |