Signal has completed the rollout of version 8.30, introducing encrypted local backup support for iOS and its desktop applications across Windows, macOS, and Linux. This update marks a technical shift in how the platform handles message history, moving away from platform-specific silos toward a unified, cross-platform backup format.
For the first time, Signal users can move their encrypted history between different operating systems. The new system supports migrating data directly from Android to iOS or vice versa, resolving a long-standing limitation where chat logs were effectively locked to the user’s current mobile ecosystem.
Central to this update is the transition to a 64-character recovery key. This key secures both the new on-device backups and Signal’s optional cloud-based Signal Secure Backups feature.
Beyond accessibility, Signal has revamped its backup architecture to improve storage efficiency. The app now stores media separately from the main message archive and employs file deduplication. In practice, this optimization can significantly reduce the on-device footprint; for example, a 5GB media library can be reduced to approximately 600MB on the local device by offloading full-resolution files to the backup while keeping only thumbnails in the active app.
These local backups are free to use and offer expanded flexibility for users who prefer to manage their own data. Unlike previous iOS iterations that relied primarily on direct device-to-device transfers, the new tool allows users to export their history to any chosen destination, including external hard drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers.
While local backups remain free, Signal continues to offer a tiered system for those who prefer cloud-hosted convenience. The free tier of the hosted service includes all text messages and the last 45 days of media. Users who wish to keep their entire media history in the cloud can opt for a paid subscription at $1.99 per month, which provides up to 100GB of media storage.
