The Signal app is considered a particularly secure messenger. The information is automatically sent in encrypted form. Only the sender and recipient can access the messages and files. However, it can happen that the sender sends the message, but the recipient cannot read it. In this case there are several solutions that we have summarized for you here.
End-to-end encryption for a new device
Signal messages are encrypted end-to-end. The messages exchanged in the chat are not stored unencrypted on a server, but can only be accessed by the sender and recipient. If you now use a new device with a signal without first making a data backup, all previous chat histories are gone.
However, there is still a lifeline here - provided you still have your old device on which Signal is still installed. In this case you have to activate the data backup on the old device. Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions ..
1st step:
Open Signal. Then tap your round profile picture in the top left . 2nd step:
You are now in the settings. Select " Conversations " here. 3rd step:
At the very bottom you will find the item " Securing conversations ". Touch it. 4th step:
Now you can activate the data backup via " Switch on ". 5th step:
Your personal 30-digit passcode will now be displayed. Make a note of this from top left to bottom right. You will need it again later. After copying, tick the marked box. Then tap on " Activate backup ". You may have to push the fuse manually once. To do this, tap on " Create backup ". 6th step:
Now you need to access your smartphone via a computer . The " Signal " folder is located on the smartphone . If you do not see the folder, you will have to restart your smartphone. Copy the folder to your new smartphone . Then download Signal from the App Store or Google Play Store. Start the app and enter the 30-digit password that you wrote off beforehand. You can then log in or register with an old or new mobile phone number. The messages from the old smartphone should now be visible on the new device as usual.
Note: For more information on backing up and restoring messages, see the Signal official help page.
Messages cannot be received
You may not be able to see messages in Signal because you are not receiving any. In this case, you must first check the Internet functions of your smartphone. Make sure Wi-Fi or cellular data is turned on. However, the messenger itself will usually notify you of a missing internet connection. In very rare cases it can also happen that the app is temporarily unavailable due to server problems or server maintenance.
Other apps can also interfere with the connection. These apps include, for example, VPN connections or additional firewalls that are not part of your iOS or Android version. These can interfere with the Internet connection and thus the receipt of new messages.
Finally, you should check out the power saving options. With some smartphones, app authorizations or internet use can be restricted as soon as the battery level has fallen below a certain percentage. In the settings of your phone there will be an item called " Energy saving mode ", " Battery " or something similar. There you can make the settings.
An outdated app or an outdated Android can also cause problems with messages. Make sure you have done all of your operating system and app updates.
This is what the battery settings can look like on an Android device. Here you can manage the energy saving mode. Disappearing news
In addition to normal messages, Signal can also set so-called "disappearing messages". The sender determines how long his message is available. This can range from "five seconds" to "forever". So if you have received messages and can no longer see them after a few minutes, they were probably disappearing messages..
You can turn disappearing messages on and off yourself via the chat settings. Brief instructions: end-to-end encryption for a new device
- Open the Signal Messenger. Tap on your profile icon at the top to open the advanced settings.
- Go to Conversations here .
- There you will find the item " Save conversations ". Tap Turn On .
- You will now be presented with a 30-digit passphrase. You have to copy these in the general reading direction (i.e. from right to left and then one line down at a time).
- You can then activate Signal data backup via " Activate backups".
- Now you need to pick up your new phone.
- Make sure again that you have activated data backup on the old device. You may have to manually select " Create backup " again.
- Then connect the old device to a computer. Access it on your PC and look for the Signal folder . This contains the backup you just created. You now have to manually move this folder to your new smartphone. If you don't see the folder, restart your smartphone. Then he should be there.
- You can then download Signal as normal from the Google Play Store or App Store. Open the app and enter your 30-digit passphrase. You can then re-register your phone number in the app. Your old messages should now show up on your new phone too.