> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Signal: A Secure, Open Source Messaging App - URL: https://itsfoss.com/signal-messaging-app/ - Published: 2019-12-31T13:16:01.000Z - Updated: 2020-01-01T12:08:01.000Z - Author: Ankush Das - Tags: Applications, #Import 2022-12-26 08:27 ***Brief: Signal is a secure open-source messaging app for smartphones. It also offers a standalone desktop app for Linux, Windows, and macOS*. *Here, we take a look at its features and usability.*** ## Signal is an Excellent Alternative to WhatsApp (and Telegram) for Privacy Concerned People ![Signal Shot](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/12/signal-shot.jpg) Signal App On Linux Signal is an open source application with a keen focus on privacy. It is recommended by privacy advocates like [Edward Snowden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward%5FSnowden?ref=itsfoss.com). It may not have as many features as Telegram or WhatsApp – but if you want to enhance your privacy while having a conversation, this is a solid open-source solution. You can install it on your smartphone ([iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669?ref=itsfoss.com)/[Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms&hl=en%5FIN&ref=itsfoss.com)) and it is also available for Linux, Windows, and macOS. ## Features of Signal Messenger **Note:** *Some of the features are specific/exclusive to smartphones. You may not observe all the features mentioned in the desktop app.* **Also note that, for now, Signal requires a phone number to register. If you do not want to expose your private phone number, you can use Google Voice or similar services.** As I already mentioned, this is tailored to enhance your privacy. So, the user experience may not be the “best” you’ve ever seen. But, privacy/security-wise, I think it is a good option to have. ![Signal Phone](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/12/signal-phone.jpg) Signal Features ### Disappearing Messages You can set a timer for messages in a conversation – so that it will be automatically deleted as per the timer. Essentially, anyone in the conversation can activate this feature. So, you control if the messages should stay in a conversation or disappear. ### Use it As Default SMS App If you want to utilize an open-source app for all your SMSs, you can simply go to Signal’s app settings and set it as the default for SMS and MMS. ### Screen Security There’s a neat feature to block screenshots in-app, “Screen Security”. If you enable it, you won’t be able to take a screenshot of any conversation in the app. You can find the option to enable or disable it from the app settings. It may not be useful to everyone – but you can try it out. ### Safety Number If you want to verify the security of your encryption with a friend, you can simply tap on the profile and scroll down to find “View Safety Number”. You can either scan it to verify or simply take a look at it to mark it verified. ### Locked Messages If you protect the app with a lock (pin/fingerprint), even if your device has been unlocked, you won’t be able to see the messages on your notifications. So, when you get a notification while Signal is locked, you will notice the content of the notification as “**Locked Message**” – which is a plus for privacy-oriented users. ### Other Features ![Signal Shot 1](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/12/signal-shot-1.jpg) As you would expect in a messaging app – you get a couple of stickers to utilize and you can also create a group if you want. However, you won’t have the ability to moderate your group – you can just add members and change the profile picture. In addition to this, Signal also supports biometric security for its app. ## Installing Signal on Ubuntu/Linux Unfortunately, you don’t get a .**deb** or .**AppImage** to install it on your Linux distro. But you can still [install Signal on Ubuntu](https://itsfoss.com/install-signal-ubuntu/) using their repository. Here’s what you have to type in the terminal: ``` curl -s https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt/keys.asc | sudo apt-key add - echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list sudo apt update && sudo apt install signal-desktop ``` Simply copy-paste the commands one by one in the terminal and you should be good to go. [Download Signal for Other Devices](https://signal.org/download/?ref=itsfoss.com) ## My Thoughts On Signal I’ve been using Signal for a few years now and it has improved with what it offers. However, I still feel that the user experience can be improved. Privacy-wise, it is definitely a good alternative to what we already have (in my opinion). You can give it a try and see how well it works for your usage. You can also take a look at their [GitHub page](https://github.com/signalapp?ref=itsfoss.com) for the latest developments and beta releases if you want to try them out. Signal app may not be a popular messaging app when compared to WhatsApp or even [Telegram on Linux](https://itsfoss.com/install-telegram-desktop-linux/). But, you can try it for yourself and encourage your friends to use an open-source messaging app. Have you tried it yet? Let me know what you think about the ‘Signal’ app in the comments below.