How to restore your message history

Signal offers several secure options for backing up or transferring your messages, depending on your device and situation. 

First select which device you want to restore message history onto:

• Android phone
• iPhone
• iPad
• Desktop
• Device not listed
• If you are looking to restore contacts but not message history, you can recover information with your Signal PIN on the same number you were previously using.

Android phone

If you are trying to restore message history onto your Android phone, follow your situation below and choose an option listed.

• Changed Number
  • Use Android On-device backups
• Factory reset your Android phone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
  • Use Android On-device backups
• Reinstalled on your Android phone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
  • Use Android On-device backups
• Android to Android
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
  • Use Android device transfer
  • Use Android On-device backups
• iPhone to Android
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
• iPad to Android
  • Not supported
• Desktop to Android
  • Use Signal Desktop Backups 

iPhone

If you are trying to restore message history onto your iPhone, follow your situation below and choose an option listed.

• Changed Number
  • Not supported
• Factory reset your iPhone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
• Reinstalled on your iPhone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
• Android to iPhone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
• iPhone to iPhone
  • Use Signal Secure Backups
  • Use iOS device transfer
• iPad to iPhone
  • iPad as a linked device
    • Not supported
  • iPad as a separate device
    • Confirm by going to Signal Settings. If you see the option to Link devices, this is a separate device.
      • Use Signal Secure Backups
      • Use iOS device transfer
• Desktop to iPhone
  • Not supported

iPad

If you are trying to restore message history onto your iPad, follow your situation below and choose an option listed.

• Changed Number
  • Not supported
• Factory reset your iPad
  • iPad as a linked device
    • Set up as a linked device
  • iPad as a separate device
    • Confirm by going to Signal Settings. If you see the option to Link devices, this is a separate device.
      • Use Signal Secure Backups
• Reinstalled on your iPad
  • iPad as a linked device
    • Set up as a linked device
  • iPad as a separate device
    • Confirm by going to Signal Settings. If you see the option to Link devices, this is a separate device.
      • Use Signal Secure Backups
• Android to iPad
  • Set up as a linked device
• iPhone to iPad
  • Set up as a linked device
• iPad to iPad
  • Use iOS device transfer
• Desktop to iPad
  • Not supported

Desktop

If you are trying to restore message history onto your Linked Desktop, follow your situation below and choose an option listed.

• Changed Number
  • Not supported
• Factory reset your computer
  • Set up as a linked device
• Reinstalled on your computer
  • Set up as a linked device
• Android to Desktop
  • Set up as a linked device
• iPhone to Desktop
  • Set up as a linked device
• iPad to Desktop
  • iPad as a linked device
    • Not supported
  • iPad as a separate device
    • Confirm by going to Signal Settings. If you see the option to Link devices, this is a separate device.
      • Set up as a linked device
• Desktop to Desktop
  • Not supported

Device not listed

Restoring is not supported.