How to: Use Signal for Android
Signal is a free and open source software application for Android, iOS, and Desktop that employs end-to-end encryption , permitting users to send end-to-end encrypted group, text, picture, and movie messages, and have encrypted phone conversations inbetween Signal users. Albeit Signal uses telephone numbers as contacts, encrypted calls and messages actually use your data connection; therefore both parties to the conversation must have Internet access on their mobile devices. Due to this, Signal users don’t incur SMS and MMS fees for these type of conversations. On Android, Signal can substitute your default text messaging application, so within Signal it is still possible to send unencrypted SMS messages.
Download location: The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store.
System requirements: Android Two.Three and up, with Google Play Services.
Version used in this guide: Signal Trio.31.Trio
Time required: 15-20 minutes
Installing Signal on your Android phone Anchor link
Step 1: Download and Install Signal
On your Android device, come in the Google Play store and search for “Signal.” Select the app Signal by Open Whisper Systems.
After you tap “Install,” you’ll see a list of Android functions that Signal needs to be able to access in order to function. Click “Accept.”
After Signal has finished downloading, tap “Open” to launch the app.
Step Two: Register and Verify your Phone Number
You will now see the following screen. Come in your mobile phone number and tap “Register.”
You will then be asked to verify your phone number. Click "Proceed."
In order to verify your phone number, you will be sent an SMS text with a six-digit code. Since Signal can access your SMS text messages, it will automatically recognize when you’ve received the code and finish your registration.
After this process is accomplish, you’ll be asked if you want Signal to be your default SMS app. This can be useful to keep all your messages in one place. Be aware that if you accept this, messages sent to contacts that do not have Signal installed (even if you send them from within the Signal app) will not be encrypted.
Using Signal Anchor link
In order to use Signal, the person that you are calling must have Signal installed. If you attempt to send a message to someone using the Signal app and they do not have Signal installed, it will send a standard, non-encrypted text message. If you attempt to call the person, it will place a standard phone call.
Signal provides you with a list of other Signal users in your contacts. To do this, data indicating the phone numbers in your contact list is uploaded to the Signal servers, albeit this data is deleted almost instantly.
How to Send an Encrypted Message
Note that Open Whisper Systems, the makers of Signal, use other companies’ infrastructure to send its users alerts when they receive a fresh message. It uses Google on Android, and Apple on iPhone. That means information about who is receiving messages and when they were received may leak to these companies.
To get began, tap the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
You will see a list of all the registered Signal users in your contacts. You can also inject the phone number of a Signal user who isn’t in your contacts. When you select a contact, you’ll be brought to the text-messaging screen for your contact. Note that for Signal users, you’ll see the text "Send Signal Message" – this means that the message will be encrypted. On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will indicate that you can make an encrypted voice call using Signal as well. From this screen, you can send end-to-end encrypted text, picture, or movie messages.
For users that do not have Signal installed, you’ll see the text "Send unsecured SMS", which will not send the message with encryption . On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will make a regular, unencrypted phone call.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Call
To initiate an encrypted call to a contact, select that contact and then tap on the phone icon. You’ll know that the contact can accept Signal calls if you see a puny padlock icon next to the phone icon.
Once a call is established, your call is encrypted.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Movie Call
To make an encrypted movie call, simply call someone as described above:
and tap the movie camera icon. You may have to permit Signal to access movie from your camera. This shares your movie with your friend (your friend may have to do the same):
How to Begin an Encrypted Group Talk
You can send an encrypted group message by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “New group.”
On the following screen, you’ll be able to name the group and add participants to it.
After adding participants, you can tap on the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen. This will initiate the group talk.
If you wish to switch the group icon, add, or liquidate participants, this can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Update group.”
Mute Conversations
Sometimes conversations can be distracting. One feature that is especially useful for group talks is muting notifications, so you don’t see a fresh notification every time a fresh message is made. This can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Mute notifications.” You can then select how long you’d like the mute to be active for. This can be applied to individual conversations as well, if desired.
How to Verify your Contacts
At this point, you can verify the authenticity of the person you are talking with, to ensure that their encryption key wasn’t tampered with or substituted with the key of someone else when your application downloaded it (a process called key verification). Verifying is a process that takes place when you are physically in the presence of the person you are talking with.
Very first, open the screen where you are able to message your contact, as described above. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Conversation settings."
From the following screen, tap "Verify safety numbers."
You will now be brought to a screen which displays a QR code and a list of "safety numbers." This code will be unique for every different contact you are conversing with. Have your contact navigate to the corresponding screen for their conversation with you, so that they have a QR code displayed on their screen as well.
Back on your device, you can tap on your QR code, which will use the camera to scan the QR code that is displayed on your contact’s screen. Align your camera to the QR code:
Hopefully, your camera will scan the barcode and display a check mark, like this:
This indicates that you have verified your contact successfully. If instead your screen looks like this, something has gone wrong:
You may want to avoid discussing sensitive topics until you have verified keys with that person.
Note for power users: The screen displaying your QR code also has an icon to share your safety number in the top-right corner. In-person verification is the preferred method, but you may have already authenticated your contact using another secure application, such as PGP . Since you’ve already verified your contact, you can securely use the trust established in that application to verify safety numbers within Signal, without having to be physically in the presence of your contact. In this case you can share your safety number with that application by tapping the "share" icon, and send your contact your safety number.
Disappearing Messages
Signal has a feature called "disappearing messages" which ensures that messages will be liquidated from your device and the device of your contact some chosen amount of time after they are seen. To enable "disappearing messages" for a conversation, open the screen where you are able to message your contact. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Disappearing messages."
A fresh screen will show up that permits you to choose how quickly messages will vanish:
After you select an option, you should see information in the conversation indicating that "disappearing messages" have been enabled.
You can now send messages with the assurance that they will be liquidated after the chosen amount of time.
How to: Use Signal for Android, Surveillance Self-Defense
How to: Use Signal for Android
Signal is a free and open source software application for Android, iOS, and Desktop that employs end-to-end encryption , permitting users to send end-to-end encrypted group, text, picture, and movie messages, and have encrypted phone conversations inbetween Signal users. Albeit Signal uses telephone numbers as contacts, encrypted calls and messages actually use your data connection; therefore both parties to the conversation must have Internet access on their mobile devices. Due to this, Signal users don’t incur SMS and MMS fees for these type of conversations. On Android, Signal can substitute your default text messaging application, so within Signal it is still possible to send unencrypted SMS messages.
Download location: The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store.
System requirements: Android Two.Three and up, with Google Play Services.
Version used in this guide: Signal Trio.31.Three
Time required: 15-20 minutes
Installing Signal on your Android phone Anchor link
Step 1: Download and Install Signal
On your Android device, inject the Google Play store and search for “Signal.” Select the app Signal by Open Whisper Systems.
After you tap “Install,” you’ll see a list of Android functions that Signal needs to be able to access in order to function. Click “Accept.”
After Signal has finished downloading, tap “Open” to launch the app.
Step Two: Register and Verify your Phone Number
You will now see the following screen. Come in your mobile phone number and tap “Register.”
You will then be asked to verify your phone number. Click "Proceed."
In order to verify your phone number, you will be sent an SMS text with a six-digit code. Since Signal can access your SMS text messages, it will automatically recognize when you’ve received the code and finish your registration.
After this process is accomplish, you’ll be asked if you want Signal to be your default SMS app. This can be useful to keep all your messages in one place. Be aware that if you accept this, messages sent to contacts that do not have Signal installed (even if you send them from within the Signal app) will not be encrypted.
Using Signal Anchor link
In order to use Signal, the person that you are calling must have Signal installed. If you attempt to send a message to someone using the Signal app and they do not have Signal installed, it will send a standard, non-encrypted text message. If you attempt to call the person, it will place a standard phone call.
Signal provides you with a list of other Signal users in your contacts. To do this, data indicating the phone numbers in your contact list is uploaded to the Signal servers, albeit this data is deleted almost instantly.
How to Send an Encrypted Message
Note that Open Whisper Systems, the makers of Signal, use other companies’ infrastructure to send its users alerts when they receive a fresh message. It uses Google on Android, and Apple on iPhone. That means information about who is receiving messages and when they were received may leak to these companies.
To get began, tap the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
You will see a list of all the registered Signal users in your contacts. You can also come in the phone number of a Signal user who isn’t in your contacts. When you select a contact, you’ll be brought to the text-messaging screen for your contact. Note that for Signal users, you’ll see the text "Send Signal Message" – this means that the message will be encrypted. On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will indicate that you can make an encrypted voice call using Signal as well. From this screen, you can send end-to-end encrypted text, picture, or movie messages.
For users that do not have Signal installed, you’ll see the text "Send unsecured SMS", which will not send the message with encryption . On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will make a regular, unencrypted phone call.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Call
To initiate an encrypted call to a contact, select that contact and then tap on the phone icon. You’ll know that the contact can accept Signal calls if you see a puny padlock icon next to the phone icon.
Once a call is established, your call is encrypted.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Movie Call
To make an encrypted movie call, simply call someone as described above:
and tap the movie camera icon. You may have to permit Signal to access movie from your camera. This shares your movie with your friend (your friend may have to do the same):
How to Begin an Encrypted Group Talk
You can send an encrypted group message by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “New group.”
On the following screen, you’ll be able to name the group and add participants to it.
After adding participants, you can tap on the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen. This will initiate the group talk.
If you wish to switch the group icon, add, or eliminate participants, this can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Update group.”
Mute Conversations
Sometimes conversations can be distracting. One feature that is especially useful for group talks is muting notifications, so you don’t see a fresh notification every time a fresh message is made. This can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Mute notifications.” You can then select how long you’d like the mute to be active for. This can be applied to individual conversations as well, if desired.
How to Verify your Contacts
At this point, you can verify the authenticity of the person you are talking with, to ensure that their encryption key wasn’t tampered with or substituted with the key of someone else when your application downloaded it (a process called key verification). Verifying is a process that takes place when you are physically in the presence of the person you are talking with.
Very first, open the screen where you are able to message your contact, as described above. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Conversation settings."
From the following screen, tap "Verify safety numbers."
You will now be brought to a screen which displays a QR code and a list of "safety numbers." This code will be unique for every different contact you are conversing with. Have your contact navigate to the corresponding screen for their conversation with you, so that they have a QR code displayed on their screen as well.
Back on your device, you can tap on your QR code, which will use the camera to scan the QR code that is displayed on your contact’s screen. Align your camera to the QR code:
Hopefully, your camera will scan the barcode and display a check mark, like this:
This indicates that you have verified your contact successfully. If instead your screen looks like this, something has gone wrong:
You may want to avoid discussing sensitive topics until you have verified keys with that person.
Note for power users: The screen displaying your QR code also has an icon to share your safety number in the top-right corner. In-person verification is the preferred method, but you may have already authenticated your contact using another secure application, such as PGP . Since you’ve already verified your contact, you can securely use the trust established in that application to verify safety numbers within Signal, without having to be physically in the presence of your contact. In this case you can share your safety number with that application by tapping the "share" icon, and send your contact your safety number.
Disappearing Messages
Signal has a feature called "disappearing messages" which ensures that messages will be liquidated from your device and the device of your contact some chosen amount of time after they are seen. To enable "disappearing messages" for a conversation, open the screen where you are able to message your contact. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Disappearing messages."
A fresh screen will show up that permits you to choose how quickly messages will vanish:
After you select an option, you should see information in the conversation indicating that "disappearing messages" have been enabled.
You can now send messages with the assurance that they will be liquidated after the chosen amount of time.
How to: Use Signal for Android, Surveillance Self-Defense
How to: Use Signal for Android
Signal is a free and open source software application for Android, iOS, and Desktop that employs end-to-end encryption , permitting users to send end-to-end encrypted group, text, picture, and movie messages, and have encrypted phone conversations inbetween Signal users. Albeit Signal uses telephone numbers as contacts, encrypted calls and messages actually use your data connection; therefore both parties to the conversation must have Internet access on their mobile devices. Due to this, Signal users don’t incur SMS and MMS fees for these type of conversations. On Android, Signal can substitute your default text messaging application, so within Signal it is still possible to send unencrypted SMS messages.
Download location: The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store.
System requirements: Android Two.Three and up, with Google Play Services.
Version used in this guide: Signal Trio.31.Three
Time required: 15-20 minutes
Installing Signal on your Android phone Anchor link
Step 1: Download and Install Signal
On your Android device, come in the Google Play store and search for “Signal.” Select the app Signal by Open Whisper Systems.
After you tap “Install,” you’ll see a list of Android functions that Signal needs to be able to access in order to function. Click “Accept.”
After Signal has finished downloading, tap “Open” to launch the app.
Step Two: Register and Verify your Phone Number
You will now see the following screen. Come in your mobile phone number and tap “Register.”
You will then be asked to verify your phone number. Click "Proceed."
In order to verify your phone number, you will be sent an SMS text with a six-digit code. Since Signal can access your SMS text messages, it will automatically recognize when you’ve received the code and finish your registration.
After this process is finish, you’ll be asked if you want Signal to be your default SMS app. This can be useful to keep all your messages in one place. Be aware that if you accept this, messages sent to contacts that do not have Signal installed (even if you send them from within the Signal app) will not be encrypted.
Using Signal Anchor link
In order to use Signal, the person that you are calling must have Signal installed. If you attempt to send a message to someone using the Signal app and they do not have Signal installed, it will send a standard, non-encrypted text message. If you attempt to call the person, it will place a standard phone call.
Signal provides you with a list of other Signal users in your contacts. To do this, data signifying the phone numbers in your contact list is uploaded to the Signal servers, albeit this data is deleted almost instantly.
How to Send an Encrypted Message
Note that Open Whisper Systems, the makers of Signal, use other companies’ infrastructure to send its users alerts when they receive a fresh message. It uses Google on Android, and Apple on iPhone. That means information about who is receiving messages and when they were received may leak to these companies.
To get embarked, tap the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
You will see a list of all the registered Signal users in your contacts. You can also inject the phone number of a Signal user who isn’t in your contacts. When you select a contact, you’ll be brought to the text-messaging screen for your contact. Note that for Signal users, you’ll see the text "Send Signal Message" – this means that the message will be encrypted. On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will indicate that you can make an encrypted voice call using Signal as well. From this screen, you can send end-to-end encrypted text, picture, or movie messages.
For users that do not have Signal installed, you’ll see the text "Send unsecured SMS", which will not send the message with encryption . On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will make a regular, unencrypted phone call.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Call
To initiate an encrypted call to a contact, select that contact and then tap on the phone icon. You’ll know that the contact can accept Signal calls if you see a puny padlock icon next to the phone icon.
Once a call is established, your call is encrypted.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Movie Call
To make an encrypted movie call, simply call someone as described above:
and tap the movie camera icon. You may have to permit Signal to access movie from your camera. This shares your movie with your friend (your friend may have to do the same):
How to Embark an Encrypted Group Talk
You can send an encrypted group message by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “New group.”
On the following screen, you’ll be able to name the group and add participants to it.
After adding participants, you can tap on the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen. This will initiate the group talk.
If you wish to switch the group icon, add, or eliminate participants, this can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Update group.”
Mute Conversations
Sometimes conversations can be distracting. One feature that is especially useful for group talks is muting notifications, so you don’t see a fresh notification every time a fresh message is made. This can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Mute notifications.” You can then select how long you’d like the mute to be active for. This can be applied to individual conversations as well, if desired.
How to Verify your Contacts
At this point, you can verify the authenticity of the person you are talking with, to ensure that their encryption key wasn’t tampered with or substituted with the key of someone else when your application downloaded it (a process called key verification). Verifying is a process that takes place when you are physically in the presence of the person you are talking with.
Very first, open the screen where you are able to message your contact, as described above. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Conversation settings."
From the following screen, tap "Verify safety numbers."
You will now be brought to a screen which displays a QR code and a list of "safety numbers." This code will be unique for every different contact you are conversing with. Have your contact navigate to the corresponding screen for their conversation with you, so that they have a QR code displayed on their screen as well.
Back on your device, you can tap on your QR code, which will use the camera to scan the QR code that is displayed on your contact’s screen. Align your camera to the QR code:
Hopefully, your camera will scan the barcode and display a check mark, like this:
This indicates that you have verified your contact successfully. If instead your screen looks like this, something has gone wrong:
You may want to avoid discussing sensitive topics until you have verified keys with that person.
Note for power users: The screen displaying your QR code also has an icon to share your safety number in the top-right corner. In-person verification is the preferred method, but you may have already authenticated your contact using another secure application, such as PGP . Since you’ve already verified your contact, you can securely use the trust established in that application to verify safety numbers within Signal, without having to be physically in the presence of your contact. In this case you can share your safety number with that application by tapping the "share" icon, and send your contact your safety number.
Disappearing Messages
Signal has a feature called "disappearing messages" which ensures that messages will be liquidated from your device and the device of your contact some chosen amount of time after they are seen. To enable "disappearing messages" for a conversation, open the screen where you are able to message your contact. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Disappearing messages."
A fresh screen will emerge that permits you to choose how quickly messages will vanish:
After you select an option, you should see information in the conversation indicating that "disappearing messages" have been enabled.
You can now send messages with the assurance that they will be liquidated after the chosen amount of time.
How to: Use Signal for Android, Surveillance Self-Defense
How to: Use Signal for Android
Signal is a free and open source software application for Android, iOS, and Desktop that employs end-to-end encryption , permitting users to send end-to-end encrypted group, text, picture, and movie messages, and have encrypted phone conversations inbetween Signal users. Albeit Signal uses telephone numbers as contacts, encrypted calls and messages actually use your data connection; therefore both parties to the conversation must have Internet access on their mobile devices. Due to this, Signal users don’t incur SMS and MMS fees for these type of conversations. On Android, Signal can substitute your default text messaging application, so within Signal it is still possible to send unencrypted SMS messages.
Download location: The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store.
System requirements: Android Two.Three and up, with Google Play Services.
Version used in this guide: Signal Three.31.Three
Time required: 15-20 minutes
Installing Signal on your Android phone Anchor link
Step 1: Download and Install Signal
On your Android device, inject the Google Play store and search for “Signal.” Select the app Signal by Open Whisper Systems.
After you tap “Install,” you’ll see a list of Android functions that Signal needs to be able to access in order to function. Click “Accept.”
After Signal has finished downloading, tap “Open” to launch the app.
Step Two: Register and Verify your Phone Number
You will now see the following screen. Inject your mobile phone number and tap “Register.”
You will then be asked to verify your phone number. Click "Proceed."
In order to verify your phone number, you will be sent an SMS text with a six-digit code. Since Signal can access your SMS text messages, it will automatically recognize when you’ve received the code and finish your registration.
After this process is accomplish, you’ll be asked if you want Signal to be your default SMS app. This can be useful to keep all your messages in one place. Be aware that if you accept this, messages sent to contacts that do not have Signal installed (even if you send them from within the Signal app) will not be encrypted.
Using Signal Anchor link
In order to use Signal, the person that you are calling must have Signal installed. If you attempt to send a message to someone using the Signal app and they do not have Signal installed, it will send a standard, non-encrypted text message. If you attempt to call the person, it will place a standard phone call.
Signal provides you with a list of other Signal users in your contacts. To do this, data indicating the phone numbers in your contact list is uploaded to the Signal servers, albeit this data is deleted almost instantaneously.
How to Send an Encrypted Message
Note that Open Whisper Systems, the makers of Signal, use other companies’ infrastructure to send its users alerts when they receive a fresh message. It uses Google on Android, and Apple on iPhone. That means information about who is receiving messages and when they were received may leak to these companies.
To get commenced, tap the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
You will see a list of all the registered Signal users in your contacts. You can also inject the phone number of a Signal user who isn’t in your contacts. When you select a contact, you’ll be brought to the text-messaging screen for your contact. Note that for Signal users, you’ll see the text "Send Signal Message" – this means that the message will be encrypted. On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will indicate that you can make an encrypted voice call using Signal as well. From this screen, you can send end-to-end encrypted text, picture, or movie messages.
For users that do not have Signal installed, you’ll see the text "Send unsecured SMS", which will not send the message with encryption . On this screen, the "phone" icon in the upper right corner of the screen will make a regular, unencrypted phone call.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Call
To initiate an encrypted call to a contact, select that contact and then tap on the phone icon. You’ll know that the contact can accept Signal calls if you see a petite padlock icon next to the phone icon.
Once a call is established, your call is encrypted.
How to Initiate an Encrypted Movie Call
To make an encrypted movie call, simply call someone as described above:
and tap the movie camera icon. You may have to permit Signal to access movie from your camera. This shares your movie with your friend (your friend may have to do the same):
How to Begin an Encrypted Group Talk
You can send an encrypted group message by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “New group.”
On the following screen, you’ll be able to name the group and add participants to it.
After adding participants, you can tap on the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen. This will initiate the group talk.
If you wish to switch the group icon, add, or liquidate participants, this can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Update group.”
Mute Conversations
Sometimes conversations can be distracting. One feature that is especially useful for group talks is muting notifications, so you don’t see a fresh notification every time a fresh message is made. This can be done from the group talk screen by tapping the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and selecting “Mute notifications.” You can then select how long you’d like the mute to be active for. This can be applied to individual conversations as well, if desired.
How to Verify your Contacts
At this point, you can verify the authenticity of the person you are talking with, to ensure that their encryption key wasn’t tampered with or substituted with the key of someone else when your application downloaded it (a process called key verification). Verifying is a process that takes place when you are physically in the presence of the person you are talking with.
Very first, open the screen where you are able to message your contact, as described above. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Conversation settings."
From the following screen, tap "Verify safety numbers."
You will now be brought to a screen which displays a QR code and a list of "safety numbers." This code will be unique for every different contact you are conversing with. Have your contact navigate to the corresponding screen for their conversation with you, so that they have a QR code displayed on their screen as well.
Back on your device, you can tap on your QR code, which will use the camera to scan the QR code that is displayed on your contact’s screen. Align your camera to the QR code:
Hopefully, your camera will scan the barcode and display a check mark, like this:
This indicates that you have verified your contact successfully. If instead your screen looks like this, something has gone wrong:
You may want to avoid discussing sensitive topics until you have verified keys with that person.
Note for power users: The screen displaying your QR code also has an icon to share your safety number in the top-right corner. In-person verification is the preferred method, but you may have already authenticated your contact using another secure application, such as PGP . Since you’ve already verified your contact, you can securely use the trust established in that application to verify safety numbers within Signal, without having to be physically in the presence of your contact. In this case you can share your safety number with that application by tapping the "share" icon, and send your contact your safety number.
Disappearing Messages
Signal has a feature called "disappearing messages" which ensures that messages will be eliminated from your device and the device of your contact some chosen amount of time after they are seen. To enable "disappearing messages" for a conversation, open the screen where you are able to message your contact. From this screen, tap the overflow icon (the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and select "Disappearing messages."
A fresh screen will emerge that permits you to choose how quickly messages will vanish:
After you select an option, you should see information in the conversation indicating that "disappearing messages" have been enabled.
You can now send messages with the assurance that they will be liquidated after the chosen amount of time.