WhatsApp is an OG messaging platform that is undoubtedly the most popular platform on the waking planet. The platform has over 2 billion monthly active users.
It is the preferred messaging service for many people for personal and business communication. Its growing popularity lured Facebook to acquire it.
After the acquisition, there was an uproar in the internet community when people learned that WhatsApp shared their data with Facebook. It raised privacy concerns among users.
It is where platforms like Telegram and Signal made waves due to their privacy policies, leading many to migrate to them. We can guide you if you want to migrate to Signal from WhatsApp.
Follow these steps to switch to Signal:
1. Download the Signal app and create your account.
2. Create a “New Group” on Signal, and share the group link on WhatsApp.
3. Once everyone joins your Signal group, delete WhatsApp and enjoy all utilities on Signal.
Let us walk you through how to switch to Signal from WhatsApp. We will start by explaining how to create a Signal account and get your WhatsApp contacts and groups on Signal. Let’s dive in!
WhatsApp vs. Signal | Battles of Messaging Platforms
There is no denying that WhatsApp is one of the most popular social networks, not just messaging. The platform is the third biggest social network after Facebook and YouTube.
WhatsApp came under the radar when the news surfaced that Facebook could read your private WhatsApp message and listen to your calls.
It caused major uproars as people feared for privacy over the Facebook ecosystem. Though, the platform clarified that it now offers end-to-end encryption of messages. Still, somehow, some people seemed to lose trust.
Rumors and scandals about Mark Zuckerberg’s breaching users’ data and selling to third parties further fuel the fire.
Regardless, Facebook and WhatsApp are still the biggest social platforms, and it is not changing any time soon.
If you do not trust WhatsApp, you can migrate to platforms like Telegram and Signal that claim to give your privacy concerns the utmost priority.
Signal is an instant messaging platform that allows you to send text and voice messages and make voice or video calls.
The platform is considered more secure than WhatsApp. Both platforms offer end-to-end encryption of messages, but Signal also hides the metadata of encrypted messages that WhatsApp does not.
Additionally, a non-profit organization owns Signal. On the other hand, WhatsApp is owned by the giant trillion-dollar corporation Meta (Facebook formerly), with a very notorious past.
If you want to migrate to Signal from WhatsApp, then there is nothing better than that. We can give you the go-ahead and explain how you can do it.
Step-by-Step Guide To Switch to Signal From WhatsApp
These steps can help you to migrate from WhatsApp to the Signal app on your mobile.
Step #1: Download the Signal App
First, you need to download the Signal app on your mobile phone. Android users can go to Google Play Store, search for Signal, and download it.
iOS users can go to App Store to download it.
Step #2: Set Up To Create Your Account
Once you have downloaded the app, launch the app. The app first requires permission. Follow the on-screen instructions to grant all the permissions the app requires.
Next, select your country from the menu, enter your phone number to register, and hit “Continue.” The app may require you to finish the captcha before sending you the 6-digit verification code.
After verification, enter your profile name and photo.
Next, create a four-digit PIN.
After all this, your account is created, and you can enjoy it just like WhatsApp to send messages, voice notes, media files, or make voice or video calls.
Even your profile picture is end-to-end encrypted in Signal.
Step #3: Migrate WhatsApp Group on Signal
To migrate WhatsApp group on Signal, follow these steps;
- Tap on the pencil icon on your home screen.
- Tap the “New Group” option.
- Tap “Skip” for the “Select Members” option.
- Enter the “Group Name” in the space provided.
- Tap “Create.”
- Turn on the toggle next to the “Approve New Members” option.
- Tap the “Enable and Share Link” option. It will allow new members to automatically join your group upon receiving your link without the admin’s approval.
- Tap on “Copy Link.”
- Now, go to the WhatsApp group that you want to migrate to Signal and paste the above-copied invitation link there.
This way, each member of your WhatsApp group can join the Signal group automatically with this link.
Step #4: Migrate WhatsApp Contacts on Signal
If you cannot find any of your friends on Signal, you can share the invitation link to join Signal.
Simply tap the “Invite friends” option, and select your friend/friends from the contacts list. A text message with the link to Signal is sent to them.
Alternatively, you can copy the link from the text message and paste it into WhatsApp to invite any WhatsApp contact to join Signal.
Delete the WhatsApp group once all members and contacts are on Signal to delete all your data from WhatsApp servers.
Final Thoughts
It is undoubtedly true that Signal is better than WhatsApp. The platform has a less profit-making mindset than WhatsApp, and also it has end-to-end encryption for almost everything.
Additionally, it hides the metadata of your encrypted messages to add an extra layer of protection for your data.
So, Signal is better than WhatsApp as you can enjoy all the WhatsApp utilities with the added advantage of safety and security.
Give this platform a try. Though it may seem a little alien initially with fewer friends, you would forget WhatsApp even once you get the hang of it.
