How to Transfer Signal Messages Between Android Devices

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Enable backups on the old device

   Open Signal on your current device. Tap the profile icon in the top-left corner, navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat backups, and tap Turn on.

   Note: A 30-character passphrase will appear. Copy or write this down carefully; you cannot restore the backup without it.
2. 2 min

   Create the backup file

   Once the passphrase is saved, tap Create backup. Signal will generate an encrypted file in the Signal/Backups folder on your device's internal storage.

   Note: Verify the file creation time in the settings menu to ensure the backup is current.
3. 2 min

   Move the backup to the new device

   Connect your old device to a computer via USB and enable File Transfer mode. Navigate to the internal storage, find the Signal folder, and copy the Backups subfolder to your computer, then transfer it to the same location on the new device.

   Note: Ensure the new folder path matches exactly: /Internal Storage/Signal/Backups.
4. 30 sec

   Install Signal on the new device

   Download and install Signal from the Google Play Store on your new device. Open the application but do not proceed past the initial registration screen.

   Note: Grant all required permissions when prompted.
5. 1 min

   Restore the message history

   On the initial setup screen, tap Restore backup. Select the backup file you moved to the device and enter your 30-character passphrase when prompted.

   Note: Restoration cannot be undone if the passphrase is entered incorrectly.
6. 30 sec

   Complete device registration

   After the restoration completes, proceed with your phone number verification. Your chat history will appear automatically in the main interface.

   Note: If the restore fails, delete the Signal app data and ensure the file is in the correct directory before retrying.