Signal rolls out free text backups plus optional paid full media storage plans for chats

📅 Published: 9/8/2025
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 8:21:07 PM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 9 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

Signal has launched a new chat backup feature that offers **free text message backups** along with limited media storage, plus an **optional paid plan for full media storage**. This marks the first time Signal provides cloud-based backup options for user conversations, addressing a longstanding limitation for its privacy-focused messaging app[1][2].

Previously, Signal did not support cloud backups of chats, r...

Previously, Signal did not support cloud backups of chats, relying solely on manual device-to-device message transfers. This posed a risk of message loss if a device was lost or damaged. With the new system, Signal users can securely back up their messages and recent media to Signal’s cloud servers with end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy is maintained throughout[1][2].

The **free tier** includes:

- Up to **100MB of storage** primarily for text messages - M...

- Up to **100MB of storage** primarily for text messages - Media files from the **last 45 days** only

Signal says 100MB of compressed messages is sufficient even...

Signal says 100MB of compressed messages is sufficient even for heavy users, providing a practical way to preserve recent conversations and media without cost[1].

For users who want to back up their entire media history, Si...

For users who want to back up their entire media history, Signal introduces a **paid subscription plan** priced at **$1.99 per month**, which offers:

- Up to **100GB of storage** for full media backups beyond t...

- Up to **100GB of storage** for full media backups beyond the last 45 days - The same strong privacy protections, with no ads or data collection

This paid plan helps Signal cover the costs of cloud storage...

This paid plan helps Signal cover the costs of cloud storage while respecting user privacy. Pricing may vary by region to keep it affordable worldwide[1][2].

Currently, the backup feature is available only on Signal’s...

Currently, the backup feature is available only on Signal’s **beta version for Android**, with iOS and desktop support expected soon. Signal plans to enhance future functionality by allowing users to save backups wherever they choose and to enable seamless message history transfers across platforms[1][2].

Signal remains a nonprofit organization focused on privacy a...

Signal remains a nonprofit organization focused on privacy and security. This new backup offering strikes a balance between convenience and Signal’s core commitment to user data protection, providing a much-needed solution for preserving encrypted conversations safely and privately[1][2].

🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:00:32 PM
Signal’s announcement of free text backups with a 45-day media limit and a $1.99/month paid plan for 100GB of full media storage has been met with interest in the market but limited immediate stock price movement due to Signal being a private company with no publicly traded stock[1]. Industry observers praise the update as enhancing Signal’s value proposition by finally offering cloud backups while preserving privacy, a feature many competitors already provide[2][3]. Some early user feedback highlights the affordability and privacy-first approach of the $1.99 plan, but concrete market valuation or investment impact remains unquantified in public financial markets.
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:10:20 PM
Signal has launched a **free backup plan** that saves all messages and the most recent 45 days of media with end-to-end encryption, alongside an **optional paid plan** offering **100GB of full media storage for $1.99 per month**[2][5]. This move positions Signal more competitively against WhatsApp and Apple iMessage, which already provide cloud backups but with differing encryption standards and costs[1]. Signal’s approach, emphasizing user-controlled encryption and cross-platform compatibility, could shift the encrypted messaging landscape by combining privacy with flexible storage options previously unavailable on the platform[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:20:20 PM
Signal has launched free and paid encrypted chat backup plans globally, offering users 100MB of free storage for all text messages and the last 45 days of media, with an optional $1.99/month plan for 100GB of full media backup[1][4]. This move, currently in beta for Android, is expected to enhance Signal’s appeal worldwide by addressing prior limitations on message recovery and enabling cross-platform transfers, receiving positive international response for balancing privacy with convenience[1][2][3]. The paid tier aims to sustainably cover storage costs without compromising end-to-end encryption, marking Signal’s first monetized feature amid growing demand for secure messaging solutions globally[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:30:26 PM
Signal's introduction of free text backups with a 100MB quota and 45 days of media storage, alongside a $1.99/month paid plan offering 100GB of full media backup, has garnered positive industry attention for balancing usability with privacy[1]. Experts highlight this as a significant shift for Signal, historically without cloud backups, enabling secure, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage accessible only by users, with cross-platform restore functionality in development[3]. While the paid plan supports Signal's substantial $50 million annual operational costs and aligns with its privacy-first model, some privacy advocates express cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of continued transparency and local backup options[4][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:40:21 PM
There has been no reported regulatory or government response specifically to Signal's new free text backups and paid full media storage plans announced on September 8, 2025. While prior Biden-era cybersecurity guidance recommended Signal as a best-practice encrypted messaging app for government officials, no concrete government statements or regulatory actions regarding this new feature have been disclosed[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 6:50:27 PM
Signal’s rollout of free text backups with 100MB storage and media from the past 45 days has been met with cautious optimism, with users appreciating the long-requested feature for recovering chats after device loss[1][3]. The introduction of a $1.99/month paid plan for up to 100GB of full media storage, Signal’s first paid feature, drew mixed reactions: some users welcomed the modest fee to support privacy-focused service costs, while others expressed concern about potential limitations on free cloud storage and hoped local backups remain an option[1][5]. Beta testers report the backup functionality working well even with large datasets, bolstering confidence in the feature’s security and reliability despite its “Beta” label[3].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:00:46 PM
Signal has globally launched free text message backups offering 100MB of storage plus the last 45 days of media on its Android beta, with a paid subscription plan at $1.99 per month for 100GB of full media backup[1]. This move has been met positively worldwide as it addresses a long-standing limitation in Signal’s secure messaging by enabling encrypted cloud backups, while maintaining privacy protections with end-to-end encryption[1][3]. The international community appreciates the tiered plans and Signal’s promise to keep pricing regionally affordable, enhancing user experience across diverse markets without compromising security[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:10:54 PM
Signal's rollout of free text backups with an optional paid full media storage plan, priced at about $0.42/month for 100GB, has drawn positive user discussions highlighting its affordability and cross-platform benefits[2]. Market reactions appear cautiously optimistic, with privacy advocates appreciating the balance between security and convenience, though concerns about reliability linger among some users[2][4]. Because Signal is a nonprofit and not publicly traded, there are no direct stock price movements, but the move may enhance user retention and growth in a competitive encrypted messaging market.
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:20:51 PM
Signal's new backup rollout introduces a significant shift in the competitive landscape of privacy-focused messaging apps by offering **free text backups with 100MB storage plus recent 45 days of media**, combined with a **paid plan at $1.99/month for 100GB of full media storage**[1]. This move addresses a longstanding user demand for cloud backup without compromising privacy, positioning Signal against competitors like WhatsApp and Apple iMessage, which offer cloud backups but with varying encryption guarantees[3]. Signal’s feature also enables **cross-platform message restoration**, enhancing user convenience and potentially attracting users seeking more secure and flexible cloud backup options[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:30:55 PM
There have been no specific regulatory or government responses reported regarding Signal’s recent rollout of free text backups and optional paid full media storage plans. Despite governments' ongoing efforts worldwide to access secure communications, encrypted apps like Signal continue to enhance privacy features without notable official backlash or regulatory actions as of September 2025[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:40:52 PM
Signal has launched a new backup system offering a **free tier with 100MB for text messages and the last 45 days of media**, plus a **paid plan at $1.99/month for 100GB of encrypted media storage**. This system uses a **secure PIN to encrypt chat backups end-to-end**, preserving Signal's zero-knowledge privacy model, and supports daily automatic backups, currently in beta on Android with planned cross-platform support[1][2][4]. The introduction addresses previous limitations of no cloud backups, enabling secure restoration and cross-device transfers while maintaining strong privacy safeguards.
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 7:50:49 PM
There has been no reported regulatory or government response specifically targeting Signal’s newly launched free text backups and optional paid full media storage plans as of now. The broader governmental stance continues to focus on attempts to gain backdoor access to encrypted communications, which Signal and similar apps robustly resist, defending user privacy without yielding to such demands[3]. Signal’s approach to backups, including their privacy-preserving paid plans, reflects ongoing tensions in the encryption debate but has not prompted direct government action or statements yet[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 8:01:06 PM
Signal has launched free text backups for all messages plus an optional paid plan offering 100 GB of end-to-end encrypted media storage for $1.99 per month, addressing a long-standing user demand for secure data recovery across devices[1][2][5]. Experts highlight the significance of this move, noting the free tier backs up all messages and 45 days of media, while the paid option enables cross-platform restoration and reduces device storage usage through cloud media offloading, with pricing seen as competitive compared to alternatives like Apple iCloud[2]. Industry opinions emphasize this balances privacy with user convenience, preserving Signal’s reputation for security while expanding functionality to support users switching between iOS and Android without data loss[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 8:11:02 PM
Signal has entered the competitive cloud backup arena by launching free text backups plus an optional paid plan offering 100 GB of end-to-end encrypted media storage for $1.99 per month, addressing the common user demand for reliable chat backups and cross-platform restoration. This move positions Signal competitively against other messaging apps by providing a generous free tier that backs up all messages and recent media (45 days), while the paid tier caters to heavier users needing extensive media storage — a pricing strategy noted for its affordability compared to services like Apple iCloud+ or enterprise cloud backups[1][2][4][5]. Signal’s approach emphasizes user privacy with client-side encryption, maintaining its reputation in secure messaging while expanding functionality to better compete in the evolving landscape.
🔄 Updated: 9/8/2025, 8:21:07 PM
Signal has launched a new backup feature allowing users to store their text conversations for free with 100MB of storage and the last 45 days of media included. For those needing extended media backups, Signal offers a paid plan at $1.99 per month providing up to 100GB of storage, marking the app's first paid feature designed to cover storage costs while maintaining privacy. This feature is currently available in the Android beta with cross-platform support and additional flexibility in backup storage planned for the future[1].
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