The Signal app’s new feature will let you connect multiple new devices and sync your messages across them.
In the latest beta released by the Signal app, a new feature lets users sync their message history from their old Android or iOS devices into the new iPad and desktop apps.
The signal community demanded the feature, and finally, users can test it in the latest beta release before it’s released publicly in the stable version.
To keep the transfer process, it will require a QR authentication from the users to keep the process secure, and the whole process will be end-to-end encrypted. This will ensure better security and encryption during the transfer. [1]
According to the official press release by Signal, the user’s messages and all communications will be stored locally on their devices instead of the Signal app’s servers. This ensures users have full control over their data.
Earlier the issue was regarding the encryption keys. Because every device had a unique encryption key, it was practically impossible to transfer data between different devices.
The engineers solved this issue by creating a secure encrypted archive of user’s messages on the primary device and pushing the archive file to the other newly linked devices. This process is decrypted with a 256-bit AES key. (AES-Advanced Encryption Standard)
To transfer the messages, users need to start the process by generating a QR code on their primary device and then authorizing it with their new device. This creates a secure provisioning address to receive the encrypted data. This provisioning address is valid for a few minutes and thereafter, it expires. The encryption public key is embedded in the QR code.
After the transfer, the archive is decrypted with the embedded one-time encryption key. After decryption, the new device is linked to the new device.
The signal serves acts as a temporary relay only and there is a direct transfer channel included between the other devices.
Media files like images, videos, and docs are not included in the archive files, and they are relayed from the signal app’s official servers.
Right now signal app only has a 45 day media retention policy and according to the official statements, the owners are looking forward to increasing this limit as well in coming future.
If you are eager to participate in the beta testing, head over to the official app page and sign up for Signal app’s beta program. [2]
References:
- https://signal.org/blog/a-synchronized-start-for-linked-devices/
- https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007318471-Signal-Beta
