Android on iOS and vice versa: Signal tests cross-OS backup function

Signal backups are getting better: When switching platforms between Android and iOS, you could always expect to lose your Signal Messenger chat archive. With a new beta version of the messenger, an in-house cloud backup is being introduced, which should make it possible to move between iPhones and Android devices without any worries. The beta is currently only available for Android devices via Github as an APK file.

Signal had already announced its own cloud backup service in June of this year. The company intends to host this itself and secure all messages and media using end-to-end encryption so that only the user with the corresponding key can access them.

According to Signal, one advantage of this new backup function is that, unlike previous solutions, an independent backup format is used that all clients can read. This makes it possible, for example, to create backups on Android and restore them on iOS – or vice versa.

Another advantage of the cloud backup solution is that users can restore their messages and media even if their device is lost or damaged. This was previously not possible with Signal, as the messenger's chat data is only stored on the smartphone. Nevertheless, backups remain optional and can be deleted at any time.

100 GB of storage for 2 dollars

The company also offers a free and a paid version of the backup. With the paid version, users can save storage space on the device with the help of dynamic media management. This allows media to be automatically uploaded to the Signal cloud and automatically downloaded again when scrolling up.

Signal has also thought about disappearing messages and media that can only be displayed once. The backup excludes these – regardless of whether they have been read or not. "Signal believes that this represents a happy medium."

For the paid version of Signal Backups, the company has set a price of two dollars per month, although this is subject to change. For this amount, users can back up their media up to a maximum size of 100 GB. With the free version, Signal currently plans to back up all text messages and media from the last 45 days.

Improved local backups

In addition to cloud backups, local backups for Android are to be retained and will also follow for iOS and desktops. This option will make it possible to create complete local backups free of charge.

Signal is also working on an improved version of local backups that will use a new cross-platform format and only save changed media. This approach should mean that local backups require significantly less storage space and can therefore be created more quickly – "instead of minutes, they now only take seconds", according to the company. The improved local backups will be available shortly after the introduction of Signal backups, it says.

Signal has not given any specific dates for the release of the finished feature. It may be weeks or months before it is released.

(afl)