Looking for an alternative to WhatsApp? Then try the privacy-friendly messaging app Signal.
What is Signal?
Send text messages, share photos or quickly send a video to a contact. With messaging app Signal (pronounced: ‘siknal’), users can do exactly the same as with the well-known WhatsApp. But Signal is more careful with users’ data.
Since WhatsApp became part of Facebook, some users have concerns about the privacy of the app. Because Facebook does everything it can to collect as much information about users as possible. Even if this invades privacy.
Why switch to Signal?
WhatsApp’s new terms of use state that parent company Facebook will now receive more information about WhatsApp users, such as phone number, IP address and address book. This does not apply to EU citizens, because strict privacy legislation does not allow it here. Still, many people don’t like the information hunger of Facebook, so they look for an alternative. The new WhatsApp terms and conditions would come into effect on February 8, but it has since been announced that they will be postponed to May 2021.
What makes Signal privacy-friendly?
Signal is one of the alternatives that WhatsApp users end up with. But what makes this messaging app privacy-friendly?
- Like WhatsApp, Signal encrypts the messages that are sent. Only the sender and receiver can read the content.
- Unlike WhatsApp, Signal also secures the metadata. This is information about what time a message was sent, from which location, with which IP address, from what device, etc. As a user, you do not see the metadata in WhatsApp, but the information is collected behind the scenes. This does not happen with Signal.
- Signal only shares data about users if there is a legal obligation to do so.
- Every chat has a unique security code. This allows you to verify that the interlocutor is really who you think it is.
- Signal is open source. That means anyone (who gets it) can see how the software is made and verify that Signal does what it promises behind the scenes.
As mentioned, Signal is a free communication app. But the sun rises for nothing, so this app also has to make money from something, right? That’s right, Signal makes money from donations.
Download and install Signal
Just like any other app, download Signal in the Play Store (Android) or in the App Store (iPhone/iPad). Find the app and:
- click on to install (Android) or Download > Install (iOS).
- If necessary, sign in with the Apple ID.
- It may take a while for the app to download and install.
- Tap on To open).
In the two paragraphs below, we explain how to create a Signal account on an Android device and on an iPhone/iPad.
Create Signal Account (Android)
- Tap on Get on.
- Provide access to the necessary information on your device. Tap on Get on > To allow > To allow.
- Enter your phone number and tap Next one.
- Check the number and tap OK if it’s right.
- Signal sends a message with a verification code. The app processes that code automatically. So leave the message as it is.
- Then create your profile:
- Tap on First Name and type your name. Do the same with Last name.
- Do you want to add a photo to the profile? Then tap the icon of a camera next to the gray circle. Your contacts will see this photo when they exchange messages with you.
- Tap on To take a picture to take a new photo. Or tap photo library to use an existing photo.
- Give Signal access to the camera or photo library: tap To allow.
- Take or choose a photo.
- Crop the photo by swiping your finger across the screen. The photo then moves with it.
- Tap the white circle with a check mark at the top right if you are happy with the crop.
- Tap on Next one.
- Choose a PIN of four or more digits. This will log you in to the Signal app from now on. Tap on Next one.
- Type the code again and tap Next one.
The account is complete and Signal opens.
Create Signal Account (iPhone)
- Tap on Get on.
- Allow Signal to let you know when messages come in. Tap on Give permission.
- Also allow access to the contacts on your device. Tap on OK > Allow.
- Enter your phone number and tap Next one.
- Signal sends a message with a verification code to your phone.
- Open the app Messages and open Signal’s message.
- Tap the link in the message.
- Tap on OK.
- The code is automatically filled in at Signal and the next step to create the account appears.
- Tap on First Name and type your name. Do the same with Last name.
- Do you want to add a photo to the profile? Then tap the icon of a camera next to the gray circle. Your contacts will see the photo when they exchange messages with you.
- Tap on Camera to take a new photo. Or tap photo library to use an existing photo.
- Give Signal access to the camera or photo library: tap OK.
- Take or choose a photo.
- Crop the photo by swiping your finger across the screen. The photo then moves with it. Tap on Finished if you are happy with the cut.
- Tap on Save.
- Enter a four or more digit PIN. This will log you in to the Signal app from now on. Tap on Next one.
- Type the code again and tap Next one.
The account is complete and Signal opens.
Invite Friends to Signal (Android)
When used for the first time, Signal is still empty. You can only chat or call people who also use Signal. So let others know that you are using the app.
- Tap the three dots icon at the top right.
- Tap on Invite acquaintances.
- A standard message with a link will appear. Tap the text and adjust it if necessary.
- Tap on Forward via another app.
- Choose an app to send the message, for example e-mail or WhatsApp. We choose whatsapp.
- Tap the people you want to let know you’re switching to Signal.
- Tap the green arrow at the bottom right of the screen.
- Send the message.
If you tap the link in the message, you will be directed to the Play Store to install Signal yourself.
Invite Friends to Signal (iPhone)
When used for the first time, Signal is still empty. You can only chat or call people who also use Signal. So let others know that you are using the app.
- Tap the pencil icon at the top right.
- Tap on Invite acquaintances to Signal.
- Choose whether to send a message or an email. We choose Send a message.
- Your address list opens. Tap the people you want to let know that you’re switching to Signal.
- Tap on Ready.
- iMessage opens. There is a standard message ready with a link. Adjust the text if necessary.
- Tap the blue arrow to send.
If you tap the link in the message, you will be taken to the App Store to install Signal yourself.
Start a conversation in Signal
- Tap the pencil icon.
- If acquaintances also use Signal, their name will be visible in an alphabetical list. Tap a name.
- A conversation window opens. Type a message.
- Tap the blue arrow to send the message.