Signal requests permissions to enable certain features, such as sharing a photo or displaying your contacts. You can verify how these permissions are used by looking through the source code. Signal is fully open source and always will be. The code has been audited both by third-party security firms and individual researchers. This is one of many reasons that we are committed to Open Source; it helps to ensure that careful scrutiny is possible.
Android
OS Notification Options
To manage or disable smart reply that appears in notifications:
- For Android 10 and 11, go to Android phone Settings app > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Advanced > enable or disable Suggested actions and replies.
- For Android 12 and 13, go to Android phone Settings app > Notifications > enable or disable Enhanced notifications.
- For Android 14, go to Android phone Settings app > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Suggest actions and replies for notifications.
To manage lock screen notification options:
- Go to Android phone Settings app > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Advanced.
- For Android 14, go to Android phone Settings app > Notifications > Lock screen notifications.
Permissions
- Go to Android phone Settings app > Apps (depending on your device, this may look different) > Signal > App Permissions (depending on your device, this may look different) > Turn permissions on.
Permissions Requested
| Identity | |
| find accounts on the device | Allows Signal to find accounts and to check for Signal contacts. These accounts can be viewed in the Accounts section of your Android System Settings. |
| read your own contact card | Access to your contact cards allows Signal to associate your phone number with your name. |
| Contacts | |
| find accounts on the device |
Allows Signal to find accounts and to check for Signal contacts. These accounts can be viewed in the Accounts section of your Android System Settings. |
| read your contacts | Access to your contacts lets Signal associate incoming phone numbers with names and display contact information when you are selecting who to compose a message to. |
| modify your contacts | Signal can add new phone numbers to existing contacts and create brand new contacts as well. |
| Location | |
| approximate location (network-based) | See below. |
| precise location (GPS and network-based) | Allows you to share your current location in messages with your friends. Also used to support an account transfer through Wi-Fi direct. |
| Phone | |
| read phone status and identity | Allows Signal to determine your phone number and Device ID. These are used to register for Signal. Allowed call handling while on a private call and an insecure call comes in. Read more about insecure communication being removed here. |
| Photos/Media/Files | |
| read the contents of your USB storage | See below. |
| modify or delete the contents of your USB storage | Signal stores its encrypted database on your phone. When you receive an incoming picture, video, or audio message, these are also stored locally on your phone. These permissions are necessary to enable backup functionality. |
| Storage | |
| read the contents of your USB storage | See below. |
| modify or delete the contents of your USB storage | Signal stores its encrypted database on your phone. When you receive an incoming picture, video, or audio message, these are also stored locally on your phone. These permissions are necessary to enable backup functionality. |
| Camera | |
| take pictures and videos | Signal includes a direct capture feature where you can take a picture within the app and quickly send it in a message. This permission is necessary for video calls. |
| Microphone | |
| record audio | Allows you to be heard on voice and video calls, and to record voice messages. |
| Wi-Fi connection information | |
| view Wi-Fi connections | Signal messages are sent and received over the internet and do not use traditional SMS/MMS. This also allows Signal to determine when services are not available. Was required to receive SMS, MMS, and Signal messages under various network conditions (e.g. 3G, WiFi, LTE, etc.). Read more about SMS removal here. |
| Device ID & call information | |
| read phone status and identity | Allows Signal to determine your phone number and Device ID. This is used to register for Signal. |
| Other | |
| receive data from internet | See below. |
| view network connections | Signal messages are sent and received over the internet and do not use traditional SMS/MMS. This also allows Signal to determine when services are not available. Was required to receive SMS, MMS, and Signal messages under various network conditions (e.g. 3G, WiFi, LTE, etc.). Read more about SMS removal here. |
| create accounts and set passwords | Allows Signal to create an account on your device, viewable at System Settings > Accounts. |
| pair with Bluetooth devices | Allows use of a Bluetooth connection while on a call. |
| send sticky broadcast | This is so Signal can run reliably and smoothly with other apps on your phone. For example, if you have low battery then you can still receive messages, or if you are attaching an image then you are requesting access to a photograph on your device. |
| change network connectivity | See below. |
| connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi | Signal messages are sent and received over the internet and do not use traditional SMS/MMS. This also allows Signal to determine when services are not available. Was required to receive SMS, MMS, and Signal messages under various network conditions (e.g. 3G, WiFi, LTE, etc.). Read more about SMS removal here. Also used to support an account transfer through Wi-Fi direct. |
| disable your screen lock | Allows Signal to keep the phone unlocked while on a call. |
| full network access | Signal messages are sent and received over the internet and do not use traditional SMS/MMS. This also allows Signal to determine when services are not available. Was required to receive SMS, MMS, and Signal messages under various network conditions (e.g. 3G, WiFi, LTE, etc.). Read more about SMS removal here. |
| change your audio settings | Used for sound notifications. |
| read sync settings | Allows the app to receive messages on time. |
| run at startup | Enables Signal to handle the receipt of messages when the phone first starts up but before the user has launched Signal. Without this, there may be a delay in receiving messages. |
| use accounts on the device | Allows Signal to add an account on your device, viewable at System Settings > Accounts. |
| control vibration | Used for vibrating notifications. |
| prevent device from sleeping | Allows Signal to keep the phone active when it is performing certain tasks such as delivering or receiving a message. |
| toggle sync on and off | This is used to make sure your contacts are up to date and is the standard way in modern Android to handle syncing, viewable at System Settings > Accounts. |
| install shortcuts | Allows Signal to add a shortcut to your home screen. |
iOS
To manage permissions on your iPhone:
- Go to
iPhone Settings > Signal
- Other iPhone Settings
Permissions Requested
| Location | Allows you to share your current location in messages with your friends. |
| Contacts | This lets you communicate with your contacts and display contact names. |
| Photos | This enables the app to send pictures or videos that are already stored on your phone. |
| Local Network | This allows Signal to directly transfer your account to a new phone. With the setting enabled, it will not be used unless you explicitly choose to initiate a transfer to a new device. |
| Microphone | This enables recording voice messages and allows you to be heard on voice and video calls. |
| Camera | Required to place video calls and record pictures or video. |
| Notifications | Allows you to know when you've received a message or call. |
| Background App Refresh | Allows Signal to receive messages and calls on time. Without this, there may be a delay in sending and receiving messages. Disable Low Power Mode for this to work. |
| Cellular Data | Allows Signal to receive messages and calls on time. Without this, there may be a delay in sending and receiving messages. |
Other iPhone Settings
| Low Power Mode | This can interfere with the ability to receive messages and calls on time or completing an account transfer to a new phone. | Go to |
| Restrictions | These restrictions can interfere with the ability to modify other permissions or receive messages and calls on time. Without this, there may be a delay in sending and receiving messages. | Go to |
| Focus Mode | These restrictions can interfere with the ability to receive notifications for messages and calls on time. | Go to |
Desktop
To manage permissions go to Signal Desktop Settings:
Click Settings > General
- Allow access to the microphone
- Allow access to the camera
OS Permissions Requested
| Camera | This enables you to be seen on video calls. | macOS: Choose the Apple menu > System Preferences > click Security & Privacy > select Privacy > Select Camera > Select the checkbox next to Signal. Signal will need to restart for this setting to apply. |
| Microphone | This enables recording voice messages, and allows you to be heard on video and voice calls. | macOS: Choose the Apple menu > System Preferences > click Security & Privacy > select Privacy > Select Microphone > Select the checkbox next to Signal. Signal will need to restart for this setting to apply. |
| Notifications | Allows you to know when you've received a message or call. | macOS: Choose the Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Notifications > Select Signal in the left column and choose among the options. |
| Screen Recording | Allows you to share the entire screen or separate application window. | macOS Catalina version 10.15 or later: Choose the Apple menu > System Preferences > click Security & Privacy > select Privacy > Select Screen Recording > Select the checkbox next to Signal. Signal will need to restart for this setting to apply. |