Instant messaging app, Signal is rolling out a new feature that will allow users be able to transfer chats between phones, from an old phone to a new one. This new feature is only available on the app’s beta version version 5.5.0. for now. Signal’s new feature will be added to the next update of the app that is going to be released soon. The new feature will be added in the app’s settings area and is being called ‘Transfer Account’ and appears as an option in settings.
According to a report put out by TestingCatalog that said, ‘Use the end-to-end encrypted migration feature to move your account and messages from an old device to a new device over a private local WiFi direct connection’, it was made known that the process of transferring chats between phones are end-to-end encrypted and totally safe and secure, even though quite unusual.
Through the new feature, users will be able to send their signal chats to a new phone but the only condition is that one account can only be used on one phone at a time.
Signal is one of the top alternatives for WhatsApp and since WhatsApp announced its controversial privacy policy update, other instant messaging apps like Signal began to thrive, more than they used to.
Signal is unique in that accounts are not linked to a phone number like WhatsApp. Users’ accounts are linked to a pin which only they are aware of, therefore tracking users by unwanted parties will be really difficult. Signal also has added security called ‘Registration Lock’ and can be activated in the settings menu of the app. This feature will help users be able to prevent unauthorized access to their signal account from another device which is not theirs.
Another safety feature that can be added on Signal is enabling ‘Disappearing Messages’. Users and mobile app experts say that the disappearing messages feature works better on Signal than on WhatsApp. Now disappearing messages automatically deletes messages after they have been read, depending on the set time. What this means is that even if a user’s accounts get accessed from another phone, their information will still be private.
So, users do not have anything to be afraid about if they decide to move their chats (and accounts) between phones. Interestingly, Brian Acton who is a co-founder of WhatsApp created Signal alongside Moxie Marlinspike.
