eSAFETY GUIDE

Signal

13+
Minimum age according to Signal
13+ Minimum age according to Signal

What is Signal?

Signal is an encrypted private messaging app owned by the Signal Foundation. You can send messages, make audio and video calls, send voice notes, images and videos to your contacts which are secure, untracked and free. Your messages can be set to ‘disappearing messages’ which means you can set a time limit on how long your messages will last once they have been sent to a contact. This can be anywhere between 5 seconds to one week — after it reaches the time limit, the message disappears. You can also set ‘view once’ content which means once your content has been sent and seen by the person you’ve sent it to, the content disappears. These features allow for secure and private messaging and mean that your conversations are not saved on your device or the app. Once a message is sent, only the recipient knows who it is from.

The app automatically links with your existing contacts so you can see who else you know is using the app. Signal runs on desktop and mobile platforms and supports all file types.

Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, Apple iOS.

Website: signal.org

Apps: Android, Apple iOS

How do people use Signal?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use secure messaging and audio/video calling apps like Signal.

Signal is used for: content sharing, encrypted, messaging/online chat, online relationships, photo/video sharing, video calling and voice chat.

How do I report security concerns, or block a user or group?

These links are provided by Signal:

  • Contact Support
    Use this form to submit a Signal Support request.
  • Block a user or group
    Get instructions on blocking another Signal user or group who may be behaving inappropriately.

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Signal:

Key safety links

These links are provided by Signal:

Last updated: 04/06/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.