Signal Enhances Local Backups with Cross-Platform Restore and Improved Storage
Signal has rolled out significant updates to its encrypted local backup service, enabling cross-platform restores for iOS and desktop users and optimizing storage efficiency.
Signal users can now seamlessly transfer their message history between Android and iOS devices, and restore it across Linux, macOS, and Windows platforms. This enhancement, part of Signal for iOS version 8.30, builds upon the optional end-to-end encrypted backup service first introduced in September 2025, addressing user feedback gathered over the past year.
The update introduces on-device backup capabilities for Signal Desktop and Signal for iOS for the first time, with the Android version now utilizing the same format. Previously, local Android backups consumed significant space due to duplicate media files. The new system stores backup media in a separate folder, allowing for easier periodic syncing and deduplication, which also saves space when mirroring backups to external drives or network-attached storage.
Signal's hosted backup service continues to offer free backup of text messages and the last 45 days of media. For users requiring more storage, a paid tier provides up to 100GB of media backup for a monthly fee. Additionally, linked devices can now retrieve older media directly from the primary device if a user scrolls beyond the 45-day limit, ensuring access to historical content.
To further optimize storage, paid users can opt to store only thumbnails of older photos and videos on their device, significantly reducing the local footprint. For instance, 5GB of media can be compressed to approximately 600MB with this setting, making it easier to manage local storage while retaining access to media.
Security for hosted backups is bolstered by the user's recovery key and a second, daily rotating key stored in a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). This supplemental key cannot decrypt backups independently and provides forward secrecy, leveraging TEEs as the current best practice for protection. On-device backups, stored independently, rely solely on the user's recovery key, emphasizing the critical need for users to safeguard this key.
Disappearing messages set to vanish within 24 hours are excluded from both backup types. While expired disappearing messages are automatically skipped during restoration, Signal advises users to consider setting shorter expiration timers for disappearing messages within on-device backups to ensure a smoother transfer process.
The iOS update also features a revamped iPhone-to-iPhone transfer mechanism utilizing a local, end-to-end encrypted Wi-Fi Aware link. These new features aim to provide users with greater control over their Signal data, enhancing both management and security.
Signal stated that these updates represent the first phase of their backup project, with further non-backup related improvements currently under development. The company hopes these enhancements offer users more flexibility and security in preserving their message history.