The current update of Signal for both iOS (5.3.1) and Android (5.3.7) introduces a range of additional capabilities to the highly popular encrypted messaging software. This includes mainstream features such as talk wallpapers, animated stickers, and the “About” part of your profile. The iOS app now also manages data more effectively, taking it closer to the parity functionality of the Android app.
Messaging applications like Signal and Telegram have seen a spike in development in recent weeks. Signal has been aided by Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s suggestion, although both have benefited from a backlash against Facebook’s confusing new privacy policies for WhatsApp.
New features were first released on January 11th, and Android Police reported rolling them out in the beta edition of Signal for Android last week on Friday. With talk wallpapers, you can choose from a variety of presets or a picture of your own, and you can even set up a wallpaper for a particular conversation, or both of them. According to the Android Officers, the beta had 24 animated stickers.
Meanwhile, the iOS app is even more storage accessible. iPhone users can see a new setting to limit data consumption during calls, and the ability to automatically interrupt attachment downloads during calls, and enhanced image compression among other improvements.
Signal has long been a common messaging choice for those working on protection of their communications—for example, the European Commission told workers to turn to Signal in February 2020—and Signal is also focused on releasing new security-focused applications, such as encrypted community video calls. But more consumer-focused features like wallpapers and stickers could make Signal sound more open to users new to the WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger app, and hopefully keep them on Signal for the long term.
