This release briefing covers the official announcement. It is not a hands-on review.
- Official source linked below
- Availability can vary by device and region
- No hands-on testing claimed
What changed
Signal says encrypted backup archives can now be created and restored across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. On-device backups are now available on iOS and Desktop, and Android uses the same cross-platform format.
Two storage models
Hosted Secure Backups remain optional. On-device backups let you retain an encrypted archive at a destination you control. Media is stored separately from the main on-device archive, with duplicate files stored once.
Before switching devices
Protect your recovery key. Choose the storage model deliberately and follow Signal’s current restoration guidance. A backup is not live message synchronization. We have not tested every platform-to-platform migration.
Go straight to the people who make it.
Official announcementSource check: 2026-10-01. Release briefing based on the official announcement; no hands-on review claimed.