G1 – Updated Guide on How to Use Signal on Android Safely
🎯 Purpose of the guide
In this guide you will see:
- How to install Signal
- how to set it up securely
- how to use it for secure communications
👉 Eventually, you’ll be able to better protect your messages and calls.
📊 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
App Name: Signal
Developer: Signal Foundation
Download:Google Play Store / official website
Requirements:Android 7.0 or later
License:Open Source (public and verifiable code)
Cost:Free
User level:Beginner – Intermediate
Time required:15–20 minutes
Latest guide update: 2026
⚠️ PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
🔐 What is Signal and why should you use it?
Signal is a messaging app that uses:
- crittografia end-to-end (E2EE)→ only the sender and recipient read the messages
- codeopen source→ experts can verify its safety
👉 Unlike other apps:
- collects very little data
- does not use data for advertising
⚠️ Important change (compared to the past)
❗ Today Signal:
- NO LONGER SUPPORTS SMS
- only works between Signal users
👉 This eliminates a huge risk:
- accidentally send unprotected messages
🌐 Data connection
To work:
- Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) required
- does not use traditional SMS
📥 INSTALLATION
Step 1: Download and install
- Open Google Play Store
- Near “Signal”
- Install the app
Step 2: Registration
- Enter your phone number
- Enter the SMS code received
👉 The number is only used to register, but:
- you can control who sees it (we’ll see that later)
Step 3: Profile
- Choose name and image (optional)
💡 Tip:
- Avoid sensitive data (full name, company, etc.)
🔐 Step 4: Initial Protection (IMPORTANT)
Signal will ask you to set up aPIN Signal
👉 What is the PIN?
- protects your account
- It is used to recover data (e.g. contacts)
💡 Choose a strong, non-trivial PIN.
⚙️ SECURE CONFIGURATION
✅ 1. Block the app
Go to:
Settings → Privacy → Screen Lock
Active:
- fingerprint / PIN
👉 Protects your chats if you lose your phone.
✅ 2. Disable notification previews
Go to:
Settings → Notifications
- disable message preview
👉 Prevent others from reading messages from your screen.
Go to:
Settings → Privacy
Active:
- “Sealed sender”
👉 Hides the sender of the message even from the servers.
✅ 4. Control who sees your number
Go to:
Settings → Privacy → Phone number
- limits visibility
- choose who can find you
💬 USE SIGNAL
✉️ Send a secure message
- Tap the new chat icon
- Select a Signal contact
- Write and send
👉 All messages are automatically encrypted.
📞 Encrypted call
- Open chat
- Tap phone icon
👉 The call is end-to-end protected.
🎥 Video call
- Tap the video camera icon
👉 It works like a normal call, but encrypted.
👥 Group Chat
- New Chat → New Group
- Add participants
👉 All members must use Signal.
🔕 Mute conversations
- Open chat
- Menu (⋮) → Turn off notifications
👉 Useful for very active groups.
🔐 VERIFY CONTACTS (ADVANCED STEP)
Why it’s important
It helps prevent “man-in-the-middle” attacks
(someone who intercepts the communication).
How to do it
- Open chat
- Tap contact name
- Select Security number
You will see:
- numeric code
- QR code
👉 Check:
- in person (best method)
- or via secure channel
⏳ DISAPPEARING MESSAGES
Things
Messages that automatically delete themselves after a chosen amount of time.
How to activate them
- Open chat
- Menu (⋮) → Disappearing Messages
- Choose time (e.g. 1 day, 1 week)
⚠️ Attention
Even if they disappear:
- can someone take screenshots
- or record your screen
👉 It is not total protection.
🧠 SUMMARY
- Signal is one of the most secure apps today
- All messages are automatically encrypted
- No longer supports SMS → less risk
- Security also depends on how you configure it
🤔 QUESTION FOR YOU
If I had to choose today:
Do you prefer convenience… or real control over your data?
