How to backup and restore messages in Signal app

Signal has gone from being a relatively unknown app to becoming the top free app in several countries, including India. The massive rush of new users to the open-source app is thanks to WhatsApp’s new terms of service and privacy policies. It has witnessed a spike in downloads as users search for WhatsApp alternatives.

This comes after WhatsApp announced that it is updating its terms of service and privacy policies from February 8, 2021. Users who do not agree to its new policies will not be able to use the app, the company said in an in-app notification.

One of WhatsApp’s most useful features that is currently missing from Signal is the ability to create cloud backups of your chats. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal only offers local backups.

In this post, we take a look at how to backup and restore your messages in Signal.

How to backup messages in Signal

• Open the Signal app on your device and click on the three dots menu at the top right corner.
• Now, click on settings.
• Then, click on ‘Chats and Media’.

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• Now, click on ‘Chat backups’.
• On the next screen, click on ‘Turn on’ to enable chat backups.
• Now, click on ‘Choose folder’ to select where the backup is saved.

• Once you have selected the folder, click on ‘Use this folder’ at the bottom.
• Now, click on ‘Allow’ to give Signal access files in the selected folder.
• Now, you will get a 30-digit passphrase that you need to copy to restore backups in the future.
• Write down or take a screenshot of these numbers and click on ‘Enable backups.

How to restore backups on Signal

• Download and install Signal app on your Android or iOS device.
• Now, click on ‘Restore backup’ at the bottom.
• Then, click on ‘Choose backup.’
• Select the backup file that you want to restore.

• Now, click on ‘Restore backup’
• Enter the 30-digit passphrase and click on ‘Restore’.
• Now, enter your account details to continue using the app.

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WhatsApp will stop working if you do not agree to its new terms and privacy policies