Privacy guidemedium risk

Choose a secure messenger

Choose a messenger your contacts can use, with an explicit decision about phone numbers and metadata.

30–60 minutes2 recommended options

Do this first

Ask one intended contact which devices and messaging apps they can use.

Best fit

Recommended tools

Choose the option matching the conditions below.

For everyday conversations when your contacts can use it and phone registration is acceptable.

When avoiding a persistent account identifier matters; test contact onboarding and delivery first.

Step by step

1
Ask one intended contact which devices and messaging apps they can use.
Step 1 · Not started
- Verify step 1: Your contact confirmed a compatible device and application.
2
Use Signal for everyday encrypted conversations when phone registration is acceptable. Consider SimpleX when avoiding an account identifier is a requirement; test delivery together first.
Step 2 · Not started
- Verify step 2: You recorded whether registration by phone is acceptable.
3
Compare group, backup and linked-device requirements before moving an existing group.
Step 3 · Not started
- Verify step 3: The selected app meets the group, backup and linked-device requirements.
4
Follow the messenger setup guide and send a non-sensitive test message.
Step 4 · Not started
- Verify step 4: A test message was received and the contact identity was checked.

A messenger cannot protect an unlocked or compromised endpoint.
Signal requires a registration phone number even when you hide it from contacts.

Selected reading & media

Reviewed 2026-09-05 · Content revision 2

Steps were revised. Previously saved plans remain on this device; check the current instructions before marking a new step complete.