Encrypted messaging app Signal pushed out its v2.19 update late on Friday after a post-release 48-hour delay, owing to an App Store issue that Apple has now resolved. The update includes a number of new features and improvements, including full UI display support for iPhone X.

After the update is applied, users will no longer see the "Load Earlier Messages" link within chat threads, because additional messages now appear automatically upon scrolling to the top of a conversation.

Screen Shot 1
In other improvements, a new simplified interface has been introduced to the Signal mobile app that aims to make sending photos, files, and GIFs easier and quicker. For example, attachment previews are now displayed directly in the message bar instead of on a separate confirmation screen.

Adopting a design concept popularized by Facebook Messenger known as "Jumbomoji", emoji characters are now also visibly larger in Signal chat bubbles that don't contain any other text. Elsewhere, messages that fail to send have been made easier to spot and re-send, while a new "Tap for More" option should make navigating extremely long messages a more pleasant experience.

The list of supported languages has also been expanded to include Burmese, Hebrew, and Persian, while users with an external keyboard linked to their device can now make use of new key combination shortcuts for sending messages (Shift + Enter, and Command + Enter).

Apart from the above changes, Open Whisper Systems has revamped the layout code to improve performance and flexibility, so everything should feel smoother and more refined, according to the developers. Lastly, a number of bugs have been fixed, including one where recently sent messages sometimes reappeared after being deleted.

Signal Private Messenger is a free download [Direct Link] for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store.

Top Rated Comments

B60boy Avatar
104 months ago
Please give me a few non-nefarious examples of why an encrypted messaging app would be necessary? (Seems great for law-breakers, criminals and tinfoil hat wearers.)
For a completely private conversation. Just like if I "whispered" something to you and said that it's between you and me. Maybe my SSN, or medical information. Also, does the Government and NSA and the Telco's need to track and catalog EVERYTHING that is said to bundle and sold to marketing companies? Encryption is everywhere and it's a necessity to function in the internet world.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imas145 Avatar
104 months ago
LOL. The imessage encryption inst strong enough for your home wifi? The NSA is wanting to get free wifi off of you?
Also, Doctors are already allowed to send information through non-encrypted e-mail. The only time a lawyer would use this would be if his client was some drug dealer and he was texting the location of the multiple bodies he has buried. Otherwise they would use plain old email.

The only time this is really needed is if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae.
Hate to break it to you, but repressive governments exist. While I'd put the US in the middle, there are still a lot worse out there and if you wish to talk about social issues without being repressed you need encryption. This is a reality for many people and they rely on these apps to communicate.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cteel2004 Avatar
104 months ago
Two reasons
- you’re a doctor, attorney, or some other professional that needs to communicate confidential information to your client that’s not in the room.
- you’re the one person in your family that can fix the home network and need to send them the WiFi password that they haven’t written down or have lost, and you’re out of town.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B60boy Avatar
104 months ago
LOL. The imessage encryption inst strong enough for your home wifi? The NSA is wanting to get free wifi off of you?
Also, Doctors are already allowed to send information through non-encrypted e-mail. The only time a lawyer would use this would be if his client was some drug dealer and he was texting the location of the multiple bodies he has buried. Otherwise they would use plain old email.

The only time this is really needed is if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae.
You need to get educated on this. Example, FB Messenger by itself is NOT encrypted and FB reads everything with algorithms that get cataloged and tied to your FB profile and phone number. Helps with targeted ads among other things. Now, there is a feature in FB Messenger called Secret Conversations. That makes the entire conversation end to end encrypted with timers. Guess what is used for that? Whisper Systems encryption, the same company that makes the Signal Messenger product. Whisper Systems encryption is used in FB Messenger (1.3B users), WhatsApp (1.3B users) and Google's Allo.

If it is NOT encrypted, someone is applying an algorithm that is analyzing that data for ads, marketing or for whatever. Everything from the NSA, Governments around the world, marketing and advertising companies like Google and Facebook. Sometimes, when warranted, we don't want anyone knowing our personal stuff. Yes, bad guys use it too but through out history, there has always been private conversations between human beings. BTW, your email is not encrypted either unless you use a product called ProtonMail. Gmail, Outlook.com and Apple Mail scan your emails for spam and gmail harvests that information for building that advertising profile. Recently they said that they are going to stop doing that practice.

Your not completely correct that "if you are planning a terrorist attack or if you are sending those dick pics to your bae." Sometimes its a private conversation with your spouse. Or I'm giving credit card information to my kids that they need in a emergency at college. Encryption is used everywhere, banking, finance etc. BTW, the White House and Congress uses Signal.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DailySlow Avatar
104 months ago
Please give me a few non-nefarious examples of why an encrypted messaging app would be necessary? (Seems great for criminals and the tinfoil hat crowd.)
Legitimate business, whistleblowing, legal stuff, flirting, family stuff, employment prospects...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B60boy Avatar
104 months ago
Yeah cause everyone is out to get you, and the regular iOS message app isn’t secure enough. :D
iOS Messaging app DOES have end-to-end encryption and are safe. But guess what, not everyone uses an iPhone. I still need to send private stuff to someone who has Android. That is why these apps like Signal and WhatsApp are needed.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...
Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

Here's When Tesla is Expected to Add Support for Apple CarPlay

Sunday November 16, 2025 6:49 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon ...