WhatsApp is used by almost everyone, but there are safer ways to communicate with others. The Signal app from Open Whisper Systems is one of the better options. In this article, you can read how easy it is to sign up for Signal, how to create group calls, and how to call someone from the app.
Signal has many new users after WhatsApp introduced a new privacy policy in the beginning of 2021. When you agree to this new policy, WhatsApp will have more options to save user data and to pass it on to parent company Facebook. WhatsApp accounts could be linked to Facebook accounts through this change. You must give your consent to continue using WhatsApp.
The new policy will take effect on February 8, 2021.
01 Log in to Signal
Download the app for Android or iOS in the respective app store. You can register with Signal via your telephone number. You can also use a Google Voice number for this if you don’t want to sign in with your normal phone number. After you enter your phone number, the app will send you a text message. Go through the registration steps and you will see a blank Signal screen. The app will ask you if you want to add contacts from your address book. Tap on Get on and give Signal permission.
02 Chat
To see which of your friends is using Signal, tap the icon in the top right (iOS) or bottom right (Android). You will now see a list of contacts who also have a Signal account. If you want to chat with someone who is not listed here, invite them to Signal via Invite friends to Signal (iOS) or the three-dot menu / Invite acquaintances (Android).
If your contact already has an account, tap the name and a chat window will open. You will see that a message has been delivered if there is Delivered appears below the message. A difference with WhatsApp is that you cannot see whether a message has been read. You also cannot see if your contact is typing.
03 Disappearing messages
If you want messages to be deleted after they have been read by your contact, on an iPhone, tap the name of your chat contact at the top of the screen. Move Disappearing messages and set the desired time below. On an Android phone, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the conversation and choose Expiring messages. If you select 5 seconds, all messages you send and receive from now on will disappear five seconds after you have read them. You see in iOS behind Delivered now also an hourglass. Your chat partner will also see this and can also change this setting.
04 Checking safety
In the settings (which you can reach via a tap on the name of your contact at the top) you can also verify the security number. You will now see a code that you can compare with the code of your contact person. If the contact person is nearby, you can go on Scan code and scan your contact’s device code. This way you know that you have a secure private connection with your contact person. If you want to forward a security number, tap the share icon at the top right. Then choose how you want to share the image.
05 Calling someone
Just like in WhatsApp, you can also make and video calls in Signal. To do this, tap the phone icon in the top right corner. The call is started. If you want to make video calls, tap the camera icon. If you want to put the conversation on the speaker, tap the middle icon. If you want to mute your microphone during the call, tap the microphone icon.
06 Start a group call
You can also start a group conversation with Signal. In iOS, tap the icon to start a conversation. Next New message you see an icon with three figures. Tap on it and choose Name this group conversation. Then add people to this group by tapping on their name. Tap the plus sign to actually create the group. You will now see the name of the group in your chat list. In Android, tap the menu at the top right and choose New group, then set the name and image and add members. You can delete a conversation or group by swiping left and on remove tapping.
.