What is Signal? 7 features that make it a go-to app for private, secure messaging

Messaging app Signal is in the news, and not for anything positive. 

Defense Secretary and former Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth recently demonstrated how not to use a secure communications channel to share sensitive and classified information. A reporter for The Atlantic found himself inadvertently included in a text conversation among senior administration officials discussing plans for military strikes in Yemen.

The situation is a major problem for a few key reasons, as described by BBC News.

Also: WhatsApp vs. Signal vs. Telegram vs. Facebook: What data do they have about you?

However, Signal itself is not to blame. Rather, the onus falls on the government officials who failed to take the proper precautions. In the right hands, Signal can be an effective tool for keeping your chats private and secure.

So, what is Signal, and why might you opt to use it instead of another messaging app? Here are seven reasons.

1. End-to-end encryption

By default, Signal secures your texts (and your phone calls) with advanced end-to-end encryption. This means that no one, including the Signal Foundation, can read your messages or listen to your calls. For this, Signal uses its own built-in open-source encryption protocol.

Not all messaging apps and formats encrypt your texts by default. And when compared with the ones that do, Signal's protocol is still considered among the best.

2. No ads or trackers

With Signal, you won't see any ads or marketing messages, and you won't be tracked. The Signal Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on privacy and security. This contrasts with other messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and even WhatsApp, all of which can collect certain metadata about your texts.

3. Available everywhere

The Signal app is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, and Android, so you can use it on any computer or mobile device. Plus, you don't need to do anything special to chat with another Signal user.

Contrast that with iPhone and Android users who want to text each other. Your options are either the older SMS or the newer RCS. But RCS doesn't yet offer encryption between iOS and Android.

As an added bonus, you can use Signal in other countries without having to worry about a cellular plan. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you're good to go.

4. Make your messages go poof

You can make your messages disappear after they're read. To do this in the mobile app, go to Settings, select Privacy, and tap the option for Disappearing Messages. You can set your messages to vanish anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 weeks after they've been seen by the recipient.

Also: How to retrieve a text message you lost or deleted on Android

Other apps let you do the same, including Snapchat, Telegram, and WhatsApp. But texts sent through Apple's iMessage, Google Messages, and other popular apps stick around unless the other person manually deletes them.

5. Large group chats

Sure, you can set up group chats in just about any messaging app. But Signal supports as many as 1,000 people in a single chat. You're able to invite people via a link or QR code. As an administrator, you can remove someone from the group, control who can send messages and start calls, and manage who can edit group info and the disappearing message timer.

6. Use Read Receipts and Typing Indicators

By default, you can confirm if your recipient has received your message and is trying to respond. With Read Receipts enabled, a timer appears on the message you sent showing how long ago it was read. And with Typing Indicators, the usual three dots flash on the screen to tell you to expect a reply. Read Receipts are available in other messaging apps, but you usually have to manually enable the option.

7. Add media to your message

Signal supports a variety of media types that you can attach to a message. These include photos, GIFs, and files. You can also share contact information, your location, and even payment details for digital currency.

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