Signal is seeing a huge influx of users switching from WhatsApp, as users want to complain about WhatsApp ‘s new privacy policies, a move that also received a major boost when Tesla chief executive Elon Musk added. tweet “Use Signal”. But if you’ve just started using the privacy-focused messaging app, there are a few things you want to know about.
Read on to get acquainted with the top tips and tricks for Signal that will help you make the most of using the app.
1. Set screen lock
Signal has a Screen Lock function so even if your phone is unlocked, you need to be able to access the phone via PIN, or your phone’s biometric lock, to open the Signal app. So even if you gave your phone to someone for any reason, they would not be able to see your messages.
To do this, go to Settings> Privacy> Build Lock Screen on.
2. Disable attached sign notifications
With so many people joining Signal right now, your phone will start pinging like crazy if a lot of your calls get on board. The good news is that it’s very easy to turn off these notifications, so you can just use the app, without being attacked by unnecessary messages.
To do this, go to Options> Messages> Build Build Contact to attached sign.
Signal lets you automatically delete faces on photos you post.
Image Credit: Screenshot / Mark
3. Blur faces on pictures
If you’re worried about privacy, you don’t always want to put pictures with people’s faces in them, unless you have permission. The process of editing the pictures by hand is tedious and time consuming. Signal is covered though – the add photos option includes an automatic face blurring tool, and you can also turn off additional parts of the screen to blur – great if you need to send an ID document, for example.
To do this, Tap on the sign + Tap on an image to send it> Tap on the Blur button (similar to a circle with black and white tiles inside) > Lift up Blur faces. You can drag anywhere on the screen with your finger to destroy additional information.
4. Put a message out of sight
WhatsApp recently got messages out of sight, but Signal has had this feature for a long time. These are messages that have a timeout, and then delete, so that your conversations are private.
To do this, open a dialog, and then enter the table with tapping on the person’s name> Pick up obsolete messages> Slide on the timer to see how long the message lasts.
5. Set the number of times a connection is displayed
An outgoing conversation sets a timeout on a message, but the other person must be able to access it during that time. If you are set to something like 5-seconds, the other person may not see anything unless they are actively talking to you. Link boundaries are a slightly different way to send messages privately. With this setting, you can send a photo or video that is only visible once, and once it is closed, the link will disappear. So it can be viewed days or weeks after you send it, but only once.
How to set up instant messaging.
Image Credit: Screenshot / Mark
To do this, Tap on the + sign> Tap on image to send> Tap on Infinity image in the bottom left corner. That’s all you have to do, and then you can put the link as usual.