Signal plans to phase out SMS and MMS support from its Android app; users have “several months to transition away from SMS” and export messages to another app
Signal says it will start to phase out SMS and MMS message support from its Android app to streamline the user experience and prioritize security and privacy.
BleepingComputerSergiu Gatlan
Context & Ripple Effects
Signal began on Android as an encrypted communications app and later added message-expiry and identity-verification tools across its platforms. Removing carrier-message handling narrows that Android product around the security model those features support.
The decision also precedes Android’s broader retreat from vendor-specific SMS clients: Samsung later stopped preinstalling Samsung Messages on new US Galaxy phones in favor of Google Messages.
First-order effects
Android users who have used Signal for SMS or MMS must export those messages and choose another app for carrier messaging within Signal’s transition period.
Signal can simplify its Android app around its encrypted messaging service rather than maintaining the separate SMS/MMS workflow.
Second-order effects
Dedicated Android messaging apps inherit the SMS/MMS traffic Signal relinquishes, while Signal users must separate carrier-message history from their encrypted Signal conversations.
Samsung’s subsequent shift away from its own Messages app reinforces Google Messages as a likely destination for Android users displaced from standalone SMS-capable apps.
Third-order effects
If vendors continue dropping proprietary or mixed-purpose SMS clients, Android messaging will split more clearly between a small set of carrier-message defaults and privacy-focused apps that do not manage SMS history.
That separation makes encryption-focused products easier to position around a single security model, while concentrating conventional SMS/MMS product decisions in fewer Android apps.
The trend: Android messaging is separating carrier SMS/MMS clients from encrypted communication apps, while device makers increasingly steer users toward a common default messenger.
In the interest of privacy, security, and clarity we're beginning to phase out SMS support from the Android app. You'll have several months to export your messages and either find a new app for SMS or tell your friends to download Signal. https://signal.org/...
This. I have people who use discord, people who use FB messenger, people who use WhatsApp, and people who use Signal. @signalapp was a little island of relief and broad functionality, now it's going to be just one more irritating as shit data silo. https://twitter.com/...
Lots of ways to solve users accidentally sending insecure sms when they think they're sending e2e. signal has actually implemented some, such as visual feedback (two check marks is nice, could be even better). Consider audio feedback, additional warning notifications, onboarding+
Like many, I think that @signalapp is removing a killer feature here, because supporting SMS and MMS allowed users to make it their default, seamlessly transitioning between conversations. Removing that support just makes it another specialized messenger app.
signal was very handy as a seamless upgrade path from sms to the point i could actually suggest people use it by default because as an sms app it's.. fine? and it automatically Gets Better as other people install it. i don't know how i suggest it to normal people now. https://twi…
Very disappointed by @signalapp's plan to end support for unencrypted SMS. Being able to use Signal as a default text app has made it easier for me to convince other folks to use everyday encryption. Here's the update. Worth reading if you use Signal: https://signal.org/...
Great way to reduce adoption. Got my family on it because I said they only needed one messaging app, which would be secure with certain contacts as indicated and hopefully, they can (and did) get others to use signal. Now that's dead. Well done. https://twitter.com/...
This is not a good move. It's overriding a key use case (many users who primarily use signal can only do so because sms interop) and is going to lead to massive user loss and a missed opportunity. Instead try regular nudges to convert sms users to Signal. @mer__edith https://twit…
This is really bad. The reason I stuck with it is because I could seamlessly use it with SMS for certain contacts. And quickly switch to SMS because sometimes your friends uninstall or stop using it. I want all my texts in one place. https://twitter.com/...
Until today I didn't realize Signal Android could even send SMS texts, but a lot of the backlash has the same vibe as when Google announced lower search rankings for non-HTTPS sites. Might explain all the “Now on Signal” notices from decades-old dentists & soccer coach contacts. …
Oh well this is irritating as shit, I will now have to somehow maintain 2 messaging apps? Hey Signal have you ever tried convincing your 80 year old dad to switch messaging apps let alone talked him through doing it long distance? COME ON https://twitter.com/...
Thank you for fucking up another basic usability component. Every step signal has taken away from SMS has consistently caused significant usability problems for large parts of their user base, and they consistently don't give a shit. https://twitter.com/...
Really bad call here imo. Making it your normal text solution was the main thing keeping Signal alive with most folks. I have to imagine signal adoption drops significantly with this stance. https://twitter.com/...
Important context to this: Google has yet to ship an API that would let the Signal developers add support for RCS messaging—which allows for end-to-end encryption—to their app. https://twitter.com/...
This will make me reconsider using Signal at all. Seriously. One of the advantages of Signal is that I don't need another SMS app. https://twitter.com/...
So, a few thoughts on this announcement from @signalapp. High-level: I understand this decision, but I still think a better approach would be almost the opposite: doubling down on interop. https://twitter.com/...