What is Signal and how it climbed to top of free apps category on App Store after WhatsApp row

New Delhi: WhatsApp might still be the most popular messaging app in the world but after the new updated privacy policies users have slowly begun to search for new alternative solutions. WhatsApp is changing its privacy policy and if you want to keep using the app post-Feb 8 then you have to ‘agree and accept’ the policies.

Telegram and Signal are safer and more secure messaging options available for users right now and all credit goes to Elon Musk for tweeting “Use Signal”, which seems to be the top choice.

Use Signal

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021

Signal App said it is seeing a huge surge in new users that it is witnessing delays in phone number verifications of new accounts.

The signal App is widely used by journalists, activists, lawyers, researchers, dissidents, politicians, and security experts around the world.

A Twitter account named Astral Wars questioned whistleblower Snowden if Signal can really be trusted. “Do we really trust Signal? cause I see zero reason to.” Snowden replied saying, “Here’s a reason: I use it (Signal) every day, and I’m not dead yet.”

Here's a reason: I use it every day and I'm not dead yet. https://t.co/Trhgqbwdpj

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 7, 2021

The app is available on Android and iOS. Unlike WhatsApp, the Signal Private Messenger app is also available on the iPad, and users can also download and install the Signal app on Windows, Linux and Mac, like WhatsApp.

Here’s how to move WhatsApp group chats to Signal:

Step 1: Make sure you have Signal downloaded and installed.

Step 2: Set up the app on your end. You just need to put in your phone number.

Step 3: Now, select the action menu by clicking on the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the app, Select ‘New group’.

Step 4: Now, you will need to add at least one contact to be able to set up a group on Signal.

Step 5: Name the group and click on ‘Create’.

Step 6: Next, in the group window click on the three vertical dots on the top right corner, Click on ‘Group settings’ and tap on ‘Group link’.

Step 7: Click on ‘Group settings’ and tap on ‘Group link’, Toggle ‘Group link’ to ‘On’ and then tap on ‘Share’ to get a shareable link for the group.

Step 8: You can copy this link and share it with others you want in the group.

Now you can copy-paste the link where ever it is convenient for you and all that people need to do is to click on it and join in.

However, your older chats are not going to get transferred to Signal, obviously. But that’s honestly a small price to pay for privacy.