Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Signal

70
User verdict / 100 High confidence Loved, with caveats

Signal is highly praised for its robust privacy and security features, making it a preferred choice for secure communication, but it struggles with persistent bugs, call quality issues, and a significant problem with scammers.

4.7★ lifetime (1,059,276) Free + in-app purchases since 2014 by Signal Messenger, LLC updated 0.1 mo ago recent negative 24% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Privacy & Security Scammers & Spam Bugs & Performance Call Quality User Experience Annoyances Account & Data Management Missing Features
5★586
4★101
3★72
2★57
1★184
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

Signal is widely appreciated for its strong privacy and encryption, offering a secure platform for messaging and calls. However, recent reviews highlight recurring issues with message delivery, call quality, and an influx of scammers, which detract from the user experience.

What users like

  • Offers strong privacy and end-to-end encryption for secure communicationR1R2R6R7
  • Allows communication without sharing personal phone numbers, useful for online datingR74R46
  • Easy to use interface for messaging and callsR8R14R20R37
  • Includes features like disappearing messages and backupsR6R35

What users complain about

  • Frequent issues with messages not sending or being delayedR49R79R111R127
  • Poor quality and reliability of voice and video callsR29R55R153R392
  • Significant problem with scammers and unsolicited group invitesR3R32R38R106
  • Persistent requests for PIN, contacts, and notifications are annoyingR5R11R66R148
  • Difficulty with account recovery and transferring data to new devicesR10R15R58R63
  • Lacks advanced group management features like @everyone tags or admin toolsR24R43
  • App can be buggy, freeze, or crash, especially after updatesR11R77R374
  • Large app size and lack of storage management options on iOSR86R168
  • Forced updates can lead to loss of message history or inability to use the appR28R71

Latest update · v8.19.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

• Polls can now be created in individual chats too. Present a curated list of choices to your indecisive friend, or recapture the magic of passing a note to your crush by creating a “Do you like me? Y/N/Maybe” poll.

Recurring themes

Privacy & Security positive
Users consistently praise Signal for its strong privacy features, end-to-end encryption, and commitment to secure communication, making it a trusted alternative to other messaging apps. Some appreciate the ability to communicate without sharing personal numbers.R1R6R7R8
Scammers & Spam negative
A major concern is the prevalence of scammers on the platform, with many users reporting unsolicited requests for money or suspicious job offers. Users also report being added to numerous unwanted group chats.R3R32R38R106
Bugs & Performance negative
Users report various bugs, including messages not sending or being delayed, the app freezing or crashing, and issues with specific features like map links not working. Some updates are perceived to introduce more bugs.R11R49R77R79
Call Quality negative
While messaging is generally good, many users experience poor quality for voice and video calls, including dropped calls, intermittent audio, freezing video, and echoing.R29R55R153R392
User Experience Annoyances negative
A common complaint is the constant nagging for PIN verification, contact access, or to enable notifications, even after users have declined. Other annoyances include difficulty with voice message controls and the lack of a 'select all' option for messages.R5R11R66R148
Account & Data Management negative
Users face significant challenges with account recovery, especially when changing phone numbers or devices, often leading to loss of chat history and contacts. There's also a lack of options for local backups on iOS and storage limits.R10R15R58R63
Missing Features negative
Reviewers desire features like @everyone tags for group chats, more group admin tools, an option to see if someone is online, the ability to pin/star messages, and a dedicated app PIN. Some also note limitations in sending attachments to multiple chats.R24R43R62R88

Who it's for

Signal is for individuals and groups who prioritize privacy and security in their communications R8R9R13R35. It's particularly useful for those who want to communicate without sharing personal contact information, such as during online dating R46R74. It is not for users who frequently change phone numbers or devices and need seamless account migration R10R112, or for those who require robust group management features R24R43.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew negative, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are very brief, while negative reviews provide more detailed complaints. The developer notes for the latest update mention polls in individual chats, but no reviews directly address this new feature.

Frequently asked

Is Signal truly private and secure?
Yes, Signal is widely regarded as one of the most private and secure messaging apps due to its end-to-end encryption and focus on user privacy R8R9R13R35.
Does Signal have issues with scammers?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate a significant problem with scammers and unsolicited messages, with users reporting frequent attempts to extort money or add them to unwanted groups R3R32R38R106.
How is the call quality on Signal?
Call quality on Signal is frequently reported as poor, with users experiencing dropped calls, intermittent audio, and freezing video during voice and video calls R29R55R153R392.
Can I easily transfer my Signal account to a new phone or number?
Many users report significant difficulties and frustration when trying to transfer their Signal account or data to a new phone or number, often resulting in lost messages and contacts R10R15R58R112.
Does Signal constantly ask for my PIN or contacts?
Yes, a common complaint among users is that Signal persistently asks for PIN verification, access to contacts, or to enable notifications, even after these requests have been declined R5R11R66R148.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] 5/5 · US Review: I don’t need to say much, I’m really in love with app
  2. [R2] 5/5 · US Why keep asking if I’m human: Secure and safe
  3. [R6] 5/5 · US Amazing!!: Me and my family use this app and it genuinely feels so good to share information and talk without insecurity! Plus the new backup feature is amazing!!
  4. [R7] 5/5 · US Secure messaging: Use it, appreciate it, don’t be dumb
  5. [R74] 3/5 · US I use for video calling with people from dating apps before dates: It’s nice because you can video call people from dating apps like hinge to get to know them better, without having to exchange numbers with a complete stranger. That’s what I use it for. But it is a very glitchy app in terms of receiving messages. Sometimes I won’t get them.
  6. [R46] 5/5 · US Best messaging app: I do a lot of online dating and it’s great way to take the conversation off of a dating app without having to give up personal info. No ads, not at all glitchy, and has so many features.
  7. [R8] 5/5 · US Awesome - best privacy / usability messaging app: The most easy to use private messaging app - there are ones that are more privacy conscious but really annoying to use, the rest are really easy to use but for a reason - almost everything is reachable by third parties (either company or server operators etc) this one is the best - donate and let it thrive!
  8. [R14] 5/5 · US Great app: This is a just simple and easy app to use
  9. [R20] 5/5 · US Review: I am not what you call technologically savvy, but this is fun and easy. The audio and video are pretty good too. Our friend recommended it to me and I’m glad he did. Thank you.
  10. [R37] 5/5 · US Good app: Too fast what a app love it
  11. [R35] 5/5 · US Great for private messaging: I’ve been using Signal for over five years and I absolutely love it. I like disappearing messages and full encryption.
  12. [R49] 1/5 · US Pronto desinstalaré: No me a gustado. Esperaré unas apruebas más mando mensaje y no las entrega 2 a 3. Horas después mando otro mensaje y veo que aún no a entregado el primer msaje también llamo y llamo no entrega el msaje ni llamada asta que la otra persona se conecte a signal de ahí llegan los msaje y llamadas perdidas. Está app no va a funcionar Esto lo desinstalo más después si sigue sin fu
  13. [R79] 1/5 · US It’s so annoying: Why does it keep pausing sent texts and I’ve been unable to receive messages
  14. [R111] 2/5 · US Unknown: Great app but the only thing I hate bout it is that lot of times the messages won’t even sent for at least few days
  15. [R127] 3/5 · US Good, could be great: I enjoy the privacy but I notice, lately especially, there is a lag in messages being received (indicated by the double bubble). I don’t want to use another messaging service but I have to occasionally because of the delay which is frustrating. Also the features for Apple phones are lacking but I understand why they are not the priority.
  16. [R29] 3/5 · US Good for messaging bad for calls: I love the privacy features overall for the app and it works great if you’re messaging others but the calling is spotty. Sometimes the calls go through and sometimes it acts like they are going through but the other person isn’t actually being contacted at all. This happens a little too often.
  17. [R55] 1/5 · US Report: You need to help make a steady call without the connection cutting out.
  18. [R153] 3/5 · US Calls suck: Voice call quality sticks. Always get dropped or intermittent audio.
  19. [R392] 3/5 · GB Video call quality needs improvement: It is a decent app but video call service is not the best occasionally picture freezes and audio echoes
  20. [R3] 1/5 · US Fake and good to scam people: Fake as hell fake people fake everything
  21. [R32] 3/5 · US Signal: This is an okay app but all people literally do is ask you for money on here is is absolutely ridiculous
  22. [R38] 1/5 · US To much scammers: Lots of scammers here
  23. [R106] 1/5 · US No: Scammers love this site
  24. [R5] 3/5 · US Constant Asking for pin: the asking for pin dropdown never goes away.
  25. [R11] 2/5 · US Stop asking for my contacts. Also bugs.: “Privacy minded” yet won’t stop asking for my contacts. What do you need my contacts for huh? Why are you so insistent on me handing over my contacts huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huuuuuuuuuuuuuh? Why do you keep asking huh? I said no. Do you know what “no” means? It means no for now and no forever. New update is buggy and makes the app cumbersome to use. S
  26. [R66] 1/5 · US Don't remind me later: Don't remind me later, just stop asking..
  27. [R148] 3/5 · US Notifications: I dislike the constant reminders to turn on notifications. I don’t have notifications on any social media. Don’t need my phone constantly dinging!
  28. [R10] 3/5 · US Outrageous!!!!: I think it’s stupid that in the app after you get a new number they just want you to reconfirm your old number like it’s gonna work or something. Like dude obviously I’m not gonna be able to access my old number due to it being a old number that a no longer have so why would you try to confirm that and then give no way out every time I open the app I’m literally loosing messages t
  29. [R15] 4/5 · US New phone: I get the encrypted messages part of it but once I got a new phone all my shi got deleted made create accounts have shaved
  30. [R58] 1/5 · US Transfer Key didn’t work: I got a new phone and needed to use signal. The problem was my recovery key wouldn’t work so I lost all of my contacts, group chats, and access to my old account. Not the best platform in all honesty.
  31. [R63] 2/5 · US My iPhone crashed and all I have is my iPad, and I can’t put the app on my iPad without my iPhone: How the hell am I supposed to get access to this app? If I can only do it through a device I don’t have access to because it’s broken? This is so frustrating!
  32. [R24] 1/5 · US Really need better group messaging: Please add @everyone or @all tags to group chat. Many want to minimize notifications unless it’s important! Tagging every member isn’t feasible/possible.
  33. [R43] 3/5 · US More tools please!: Need more tools, need to be better than WhatsApp! More group ADMIN tools, I’m not able to cleanup my groups when people are no longer working with us.
  34. [R77] 1/5 · US Bad App: App wouldn’t send or receive so I offloaded it and its making it impossible to fully reload. Roadblock type activity.
  35. [R374] 3/5 · GB Vibrations: Very slow laggy camera and the app freezes all the time, has to be closed and restarted or left to unfreeze
  36. [R86] 1/5 · US No Storage Limit Option for IOS: Scummy to not give users an option to limit how much data this app takes up.
  37. [R168] 1/5 · US App size is huge: The size of this app keeps increasing with every image or video you receive. There’s no way on the iOS app to limit storage or tell it to delete only media automatically. If the developers don’t come up with a solution soon, people are going to start deleting Signal.
  38. [R28] 2/5 · US Forcing you to update app to talk to people: Lame
  39. [R71] 1/5 · US Bad app: forced me to update in order to send and receive messages, then deleted all message history including those that I updated the app to see, of which I was not receiving. just dumb
  40. [R62] 3/5 · US Attachment limits still for 5 chats only?: All other app functions work extremely well; however, how, after being available and in service this whole time with improvements and updates, is the chat limit for attachments still restricted to only five chats? If I want to send to nine people, have to send to five then separately to the other four. Hoping the next update rectifies this longstanding di
  41. [R88] 3/5 · US Good: But one must tell whether someone is online or not.
  42. [R9] 5/5 · US One of the final bastions of Privacy: Cherish this app while it’s still around, Session died, glad i could move here.
  43. [R13] 5/5 · US Probably the most useful app on my phone: The level of privacy combined with the level of ease makes it amazing. I wish everyone had this. I donate to Signal because we need more apps like this!
  44. [R112] 1/5 · US Horrible login and restore: Good luck getting this app to work or ever using it again if you get a new phone.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store