The Messenger Signal is increasingly becoming an alternative to WhatsApp. In fact, the programs are similar in how they work, even if there are differences. We show you which features you should know about Signal.
WhatsApp announced in early January new data protection guidelines – and thus triggered not only outrage among some users, but also a wave of churn. Messenger such as Threema, Telegram or Signal benefited from this.
Signal in particular is a popular alternative and is also recommended by whistleblower Edward Snowden. Who has just switched to Signal Here you will find useful tips for the first steps, for example how to send gifs and stickers by signal or set up backgrounds. In this text we show you how to find and use professional functions in Signal.
Deactivate read receipt
As in WhatsApp, you can disable read receipts in Signal. So your chat partner does not know whether you have already read their messages. It works like this:
- Open the “Settings“. To do this, tap on your abbreviation at the top left or on the three dots at the top right and then”Settings“(Android only).
- Tap on “data protection“
- Scroll down a little and move the slider to “Lesebestätigungen” to the left.
Further data protection settings
In the privacy settings you can also choose a “Screen lock” a “screen protector” or “Tip indicators” activate or deactivate. The latter prevents your chat partner from seeing if you are currently texting him. If you have a PIN you can change the code here or the Registration lock on or off.
If the PIN bothers you, you can also deactivate it. The option can be found under “More settings” -> “Advanced PIN settings“.
Storage management and storing media
In contrast to WhatsApp, Signal does not automatically save pictures and other media in a folder in the smartphone gallery. With Signal, you have several options for accessing and storing the media. For all shared content, go to the Settings and then on “Storage“. Tap on “Check memory contents“Here you can see all shared media and can save or delete them on the device.
If you only want to access the media that you have shared with a specific chat partner, do the following:
- Open the chat with the user and tap the picture above.
- At “Shared media” on “All ads“.
- Select the file you want. To save or delete them, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select the appropriate option.
Respond to chats with emojis
This function is particularly useful in group chats: tap and hold on a desired chat with your finger. A few emojis will now appear with which you can react to the corresponding chat – similar to Facebook. If you tap on the three dots next to the emojis, you can choose from all emojis.
Block users
If you want to block users, do the following:
- Open the chat with the user
- At the top, tap his name
- Scroll down and select “To block“.
You can also release the user again in the same menu. Alternatively, see the “Settings” under “data protection“also a list of blocked users.
Enable disappearing messages
With Disappearing Messages, you can determine when you want messages to disappear from a chat after they have been read. Signal offers periods from five seconds to a week. Such a function is also available in WhatsApp: Here the period is limited to one week, but the messages also disappear if users have not read them.
A “Disappearing news“to activate in Signal, proceed as follows:
- Open the chat with the user and tap their name at the top.
- Choose “Disappearing news“, a menu opens.
- Select the desired period here.
Use one-time displayable media
You can set images to be automatically deleted after viewing them once. To do this, tap on the infinity symbol at the bottom left just before sending the image.
(What: Signal)
Use Signal as an SMS service
You can use Signal as an SMS app. Incoming SMS ends up in Signal instead of in another program. Please note, however, that SMS – in contrast to signal messages – are not encrypted. In theory, third parties can read along more easily. Signal usually asks if it should manage SMS after the first start. Otherwise activate the function as follows:
- Open the Settings.
- At the top, tapSMS and MMS“
- Select the options you want here. For example, you can also set Signal to send an SMS delivery report.
Send voice messages more easily
If you like to send voice messages, you should know this signal trick: If you can Microfonsymbol Dragging up in chat enables you to record a voice message without having to hold the icon manually. When you’re done, hit the submit button.
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