Install Signal Private Messenger for Android

4 Parts:

Install Signal Private Messenger

Invite Friends, Create Groups, Send Messages, Make and Receive Calls

Settings and Preferences

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Signal Private Messenger makes a great alternative to the stock SMS app's that come pre-installed on Android devices. Users can avoid SMS charges and enjoy peace of mind knowing that their communications remain completely private. The app's server never has access to your messages or data, and nothing is stored or logged. Another key feature is that the app uses open source code and is always being reviewed for potential security risks. This ensures a high level of privacy because users from all around the world can monitor the app for vulnerabilities within the code.

Users have the option of using Signal as their standalone (default) SMS app or, as an additional messaging app, similar to WhatsApp. End-to-end encryption is only utilized when both sides are using Signal, regardless if it's set as the default SMS app.

In the steps below we installed a fresh copy of Signal Private Messenger on a Google Pixel running Android's Oreo OS. Users running a previous version of Android will also work, just as long as it's 4.0 or higher.

1. 1
   Access your device's app drawer and launch the "Play Store" app.

   

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2. 2
   From the Play Store, type "signal private messenger" into the search box. When the results populate, tap the first link.

   

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3. 3
   On the app's information screen, tap "INSTALL".

   

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4. 4
   Signal will now request permission to access various parts of your device. Tap "ACCEPT" to continue with the setup.

   

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5. 5
   Once the app has installed, tap the green "OPEN" button.

   

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6. 6
   To connect your device with Signal, you have to enter your phone number. It should auto-load by default, but if it doesn't, enter it manually.

   

   If you're from outside the United States, tap the drop-down triangle, select your country of origin and tap "Register".

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7. 7
   You'll be prompted to double check that your phone number is correct. If the number is right, tap "CONTINUE".

   

   Signal will now verify your phone number automatically because it has access to your SMS messages.

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8. 8
   On the following screen you can edit your profile name. To add an image, tap the camera icon in the upper-left corner and browse to your gallery, or take a new image with device's onboard camera.

   

   Once the information looks good, tap "FINISH" to continue.

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9. 9
   Next, you'll be asked if you want to make Signal your default SMS app. This is optional of course, but if the users you're communicating with aren't using Signal, you won't get end-to-end encryption.

   

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1. 1
   Now that Signal is installed and has verified your number, it's time to invite friends. From the main screen, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, then tap "Invite friends".

   

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2. 2
   On the Invite friends screen, tap "CHOOSE CONTACTS" and select which contacts you want to invite. With your contacts selected, tap "SEND SMS TO FRIENDS".

   

   You can also share the invite link by tapping the share button on the Invite friends screen.

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3. 3
   To create a new group, tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner, followed by "New group".

   

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4. 4
   On the New group screen enter a name and add members by tapping the "+" symbol.

   

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5. 5
   To send a message to a friend, tap the pencil icon in the lower right corner.

   

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6. 6
   On the new message screen you can either select a contact or, type the name or number of someone. With a contact selected, type your message in the text box and tap the blue circular send button on the right.

   

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7. 7
   To send an attachment, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, followed by "Add attachment".

   

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8. 8
   You can choose how long the app waits before it deletes messages for a particular conversation. Tap the three-dot menu, then tap "Disappearing messages".

   

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9. 9
   In the disappearing messages menu box, tap a time interval, followed by "OK".

   

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10. 10
    To make a call, select a contact, then tap the phone icon in the top right corner.

    

    Once Signal begins dialing your contact, you can select the video camera icon to initiate a video call.

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11. 11
    To answer an incoming call, swipe towards the green phone icon. To decline the call, swipe towards the red phone icon.

    

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12. 12
    If you experience encryption issues during your conversation, tap the three-dot menu, followed by "Reset secure session".

    

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13. 13
    From the Reset secure session dialogue pop-up, tap "RESET".

    

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1. 1
   To access Signal's main options, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner (from the main screen), then tap "Settings".

   
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