Switch from WhatsApp to Signal

Why switch

WhatsApp is owned by Meta and shares data with Facebook’s advertising infrastructure. While message content is encrypted, Meta collects metadata – who you talk to, when, how often, and from where. Signal is made by a non-profit foundation, collects virtually no data, and is funded by donations rather than advertising. It uses the same end-to-end encryption protocol that WhatsApp itself borrowed.

What you’ll need

• A phone number (Signal uses it for registration, same as WhatsApp)
• A smartphone

What you’ll lose

• Your existing chat history – WhatsApp chats don’t transfer to Signal. You can export them from WhatsApp for your records, but they won’t import into Signal.
• Status/Stories – Signal has “Stories” but it’s simpler and fewer people use it.
• Business accounts – If you communicate with businesses through WhatsApp Business, they probably won’t be on Signal.
• Network size – The biggest trade-off. WhatsApp has 2+ billion users. Signal has fewer. You’ll need to convince your close contacts to switch too.

Steps

1. Download Signal from the App Store or Google Play. You can also get the desktop app from signal.org.

2. Register with your phone number. Signal will send a verification code via SMS. Enter it.

3. Set up your profile. Add your name (first name is enough) and optionally a photo. This helps your contacts recognize you.

4. Check who’s already on Signal. Signal will show you which of your phone contacts are already using it. You might be surprised how many are.

5. Invite your close contacts. The hardest part. Start with the people you message most. You don’t need everyone – just your inner circle. Signal makes it easy to send invite links.

6. Install Signal Desktop (optional). Link your phone to the desktop app by scanning a QR code. Now you can message from your computer too.

7. Export your WhatsApp chats (optional). In WhatsApp, go to a chat > More > Export chat. This saves a text file of the conversation for your records.

8. Uninstall WhatsApp when you’re ready. No need to rush this – you can run both apps side by side while your contacts make the switch.

Tips

• Signal’s “Note to Self” feature is great for saving links, ideas, and reminders privately.
• You can set messages to auto-disappear after a set time. Useful for sensitive conversations.
• Signal group chats work just like WhatsApp groups. You can have up to 1000 members.
• If you’re worried about convincing people, frame it practically: “Signal works exactly like WhatsApp, it’s free, and it doesn’t give our data to Facebook.”
• Signal’s voice and video calls are encrypted end-to-end and work well, even on slower connections.