Signal says the reason for the change was primarily over security concerns and to free up resources to focus on core features: If you want to keep them, you’ll also need to export your SMS messages from Signal into that new app. If you do use Signal as your default SMS app on Android, you will need to select a new default SMS app on your phone. A future version of the app, one currently in beta, will provide the built-in export functionality: The company says users will need to export their SMS messages and select a new client to handle non-Signal messages. You will have several months to transition away from SMS in Signal, to export your SMS messages to another app, and to let the people you talk to know that they might want to switch to Signal, or find another channel if not. In order to enable a more streamlined Signal experience, we are starting to phase out SMS support from the Android app. The company explained its decision in a blog post: Unfortunately, Signal plans to remove SMS and MMS support, narrowing its focus to encrypted messaging. While SMS and MMS messages don’t offer the same level of security, it’s still a convenient way to keep all messaging in a single app.

On Android, the app can also handle traditional SMS and MMS messaging for communicating with users who aren’t on Signal. Signal is one of the most popular secure messaging apps, competing with iMessage and WhatsApp while offering better security and privacy than either. Signal has announced plans to remove SMS messaging from its Android app in a move that’s sure to disappoint users.

Signal messenger app unsecured sms