How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

Signal is an encrypted messaging app that has been gaining a lot of attention lately. It was developed with the goal of focusing on user privacy.

For this reason, Signal is now considered a great alternative to WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and several other popular instant messaging apps. You can even use Signal as the default SMS messaging app on your Android phone. (Unfortunately, this feature is not yet available on iPhone.)

By setting Signal as the default SMS app on your device, you can not only text with your Signal contacts, but you can also send and receive text messages with everyone in your local address book (phone number) as usual. However, it's important to note that SMS messages sent through Signal will be encrypted just like messages between Signal users.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

First, open the Signal app on your Android device. Next, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the app.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

Click on Settings .

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

At the top of the Settings menu , tap “ SMS and MMS ”.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

Next, you will see the “ SMS Disabled ” option at the top. Click on this option.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

A pop-up will ask you to choose your default SMS app. Select “ Signal ” and tap “ Set as Default ”.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

Signal is set as the default SMS app on your device. Sending SMS messages on Signal is essentially the same as sending a regular online message. The contact list will show people you’ve “friended” on Signal at the top, indicated in blue. Meanwhile, contacts in your local address book will be listed below, shown in gray. This way, you can easily send Signal messages online or SMS messages from the same simple interface.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android
Contacts on Signal will show up in blue, contacts in your local address book will be gray.

Additionally, if for some reason you want to send an SMS to a contact on Signal, you can also do that by typing a message like you normally would. However, this time, instead of tapping once, tap and hold the send button.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android
Press and hold the send button

You will see an option to switch to “ Insecure SMS ”. As mentioned earlier, SMS messages are not encrypted like online messages on Signal.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

The send button will now be gray with an unlock icon. Tap it to send the SMS message.

How to set Signal as your default SMS messaging app on Android

Done! You can now keep all of your conversations, whether Signal messages or SMS, in one place. Keep in mind that you won't be able to access SMS through the Signal Desktop app.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

Tricks to help you use Chrome on Android effectively that you may not know

Tricks to help you use Chrome on Android effectively that you may not know

Chrome on Android is a great browser out of the box, but you can make it even better. These tips and features will help you browse the web faster.

7 Ways Smartphones Are Getting Worse

7 Ways Smartphones Are Getting Worse

When you compare smartphones from nearly two decades ago and today, you can't help but notice that they've gotten worse in a variety of ways.

What is an APK file? How to download and install an APK file?

What is an APK file? How to download and install an APK file?

Just like the .exe file on the Windows operating system is used to install software, the same is true on the Android operating system. APK files on the Android operating system are used to install software on the system. So how to download and install APK files on Android devices, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

Instructions to turn videos into beautiful wallpapers on Android phones

Instructions to turn videos into beautiful wallpapers on Android phones

Are you bored with static wallpapers on your phone? Try this method of turning videos into beautiful wallpapers for Android.

9 Android Phone Lock Screen Security Settings

9 Android Phone Lock Screen Security Settings

The lock screen on your phone or tablet is a tool designed to prevent strangers from accessing your device. Because of this importance, setting up the lock screen in the safest and most reasonable way is something every user should do. The article below summarizes 4 things you should apply to the lock screen on Android and iOS to master the above feature and protect your device from unauthorized access.

How to extract, copy text from photos on iPhone

How to extract, copy text from photos on iPhone

Today's technological developments can allow you to directly extract text from images captured with a smartphone camera.

How to set a face-uncovering wallpaper on iOS 16 to “follow the trend”

How to set a face-uncovering wallpaper on iOS 16 to “follow the trend”

As soon as you update your iPhone to the official iOS 16 version, you will be able to set an iPhone wallpaper without covering your face when adjusting the wallpaper according to the depth effect.

4 must-have photo editing apps for iPhone

4 must-have photo editing apps for iPhone

While Apple's Photos app is useful for basic tasks like cropping photos, it doesn't offer many advanced editing features. And that's where a third-party photo editor comes in handy.

How to enable developer options and disable it on Android

How to enable developer options and disable it on Android

Developer options on Android devices are hidden by default, to avoid changes that affect the system. The following article will guide readers on how to enable developer mode on Android, illustrated on the Samsung Galaxy S9, and how to disable this option if you no longer use it.

How to Free Up Space on Android

How to Free Up Space on Android

Smartphones and tablets can easily fill up with storage, especially if you've been using them for a while. Here are some ways to free up space on your Android device.

Pre-installed apps that can be safely uninstalled on Samsung phones

Pre-installed apps that can be safely uninstalled on Samsung phones

Deleting apps you know you won't use is a great way to save storage space and minimize background processes on your phone.

7 Screenshots Hackers Like You To Save In Your Gallery

7 Screenshots Hackers Like You To Save In Your Gallery

It's easy to think of screenshots as temporary, but many of us never delete them. The danger is that some of them can become gold mines for hackers, identity thieves, or even just curious friends.

Turn Off These 8 Samsung Settings to Stop Your Phone from Draining Your Battery Quickly!

Turn Off These 8 Samsung Settings to Stop Your Phone from Draining Your Battery Quickly!

Many people think that their Samsung phone battery can no longer meet the daily needs. But after turning off these overlooked settings, the battery can easily last all day.

How to delete browsing history on Android phone

How to delete browsing history on Android phone

Current web browsers on computers or phones all have the option to delete browsing history, such as deleting browsing history on Chrome, deleting browsing history on Firefox,...

How to Recover Deleted Password on iPhone

How to Recover Deleted Password on iPhone

You can use iCloud Keychain or iCloud Keychain to save your passwords and easily access them on your iPhone. Here's how to recover deleted passwords on your iPhone.