Signal is jazz for being a privacy - respecting message platform but some privacy feature are disable by default . enable these Signal seclusion and security department characteristic will further seal likely leakage of data . Here ’s everything you may do to improve the security and privacy of your Signal app .
Note : You do n’t demand to enable every feature film cite here , as some come with significant drawbacks . Consider your specific needs and enable features that aline with your use case .
tabular array of Contents
1. Setup a Signal PIN and Registration Lock
You are prompted to specify up a ping when you register for Signal . This PIN is essential for recovering your profile , setting , contact , and more when you sign in on a new equipment . you could also enable a registration curl which adds an extra bed of surety .
Even if someone has entree to your twist and SMS content , they wo n’t be able to get at your Signal profile without the PIN . However , the adjustment lock is disabled by default . To limit up both the PIN and registration ringlet on your Signal write up , take these steps :
2. Hide Phone Number from Your Signal Contacts
Signal requires your sound number for registration , but it does n’t have to be seeable to your contacts . If you choose to blot out it , Signal supply an alternative . To enshroud your phone number , perform these actions :
If you also want to prevent others from finding your profile by look with your earpiece issue , enable theNobodyoption underWho can bump me by bit . Keep in mind that enabling this mise en scene limits how others can line up you on Signal .
Pro Tip : A guide on how tobackup and reconstruct Signal messages .
3. Enable App Lock for Signal
By nonremittal , anyone with access to your phone can easily launch the Signal app and watch your messages . To prevent this , Signal offers the option to lock the app , using your twist ’s biometrics like Face ID or a fingerprint scanner for unlocking . However , the whorl can not be set to activate immediately — the minimum hold is 1 bit . To gear up up a curl for your Signal app , fall out these step :
4. Enable App Switcher Privacy Setting
When switching between apps , Signal may display a prevue of your content on the app whipper screen . This means that even with an app curl , others can still catch details from the app switcher . To prevent this , you could turn on the screen security feature . However , a major downside is that enable this lineament disables the ability to take screenshots or memorialize the screen within the app . To enable screen security , follow these step :
5. Control What Appears in Signal Notifications
By nonpayment , Signal displays message prevue in your notifications . you may enhance concealment by hide the content or even the sender ’s name . To verify what appear in Signal notifications , follow these tone :
6. Enable Disappearing Messages
Disappearing messages automatically delete after a set period of time , helping to protect sensitive information by ensuring old conversation are untouchable . To enable disappearing content in Signal , do the following :
To pose a default disappearing message timer for all contacts :
7. Relaying Calls Through Signal
sign call are already encrypted , but your IP name and address may still be visible to your ISP or VPN service . If you prefer to mask your IP name and address and protect your identity , you could relay your calls through Signal ’s servers . To enable this feature , do the following :
8. Not Syncing contacts with iOS
On iOS , Signal can sync your contacts by nonremittal , allowing the app to get at your phone Word . If you prefer to keep your Signal contact separate from your system of rules contacts , you may handicap striking synchronize . To work off middleman sync on iOS , perform these actions :
9. Incognito Keyboard on Android
Most keyboard apps tail what you typecast to offer suggestions or apply the information for other use . However , on Android , Signal supply an pick to request that keyboard apps do n’t track your typing when using the app . This is n’t a heavily - coded restriction but rather a request that the keyboard app can select to honor or ignore . To enable this feature , do the following :
Also understand : A tone at how touse Signal appas your day-after-day number one wood .
10. Disabling Link Previews
When link previews are enable , your phone sends details like your IP address to the web site to generate the prevue , even if you have n’t select the inter-group communication . This allows random websites to collect your datum just because the link preview feature is on . incapacitate it foreclose your machine from reaching out to these websites , though it does n’t directly meliorate security — it ’s a orientation some people care to have . To disable radio link previews in Signal , follow these tone :
11. Limiting Linked devices
Adding more linked gadget to your Signal account can increase the risk of potential vulnerabilities . to boot , there have been variousissues reported with the Signal desktop app . While it ’s useful to have multiple connect machine for convenience , it ’s a good idea to minimize the phone number of devices connect to your account to reduce potential points of unsuccessful person . To review and superintend your linked devices , come after these steps :
12. Obfuscating Your Phone Number
For arrant privateness , it ’s better to apply a dissimilar phone number with Signal . In the summer of 2022 , Twilio , the society that care Signal ’s earphone numeral verification , live aphishing tone-beginning . As a result , many Signal users ’ headphone numbers were exposed . To keep your Signal information private , using a different phone telephone number — one that is n’t wed to your personal identity — is a more secure option .
Privacy with Signal
In ending , while Signal offers potent encoding and privacy feature film , there are additional steps you could take to further safeguard your information and identity . Whether it ’s get by linked devices , disenable link previews , or even using a unlike phone number , these precautions can help oneself enhance your overall security . remain informed and make these adjustments ensure you ’re getting the most out of Signal ’s privacy - focused conception .