Signal is launching secure backups on iOS, allowing you to save and restore your messages in case you lose or break your phone. With the free version of the feature, you can store up to 100MB of text messages, along with the past 45 days’ worth of photos, videos, GIFs, and files.
There’s also a $1.99 per month option that can back up all of your text messages, in addition to up to 100GB of media beyond the 45-day cap. Signal first launched secure backups on Android devices in September, which store your messages and media using end-to-end encryption. You can access your backup using a 64-character recovery key generated on your device, though Signal notes that it can’t help you recover the code if you lose it.
To enable secure backups, head to the Settings menu and select Backups. From there, tap Setup > Enable Backups and then write down or store your recovery key. Once you confirm your recovery key, you can choose between the free or paid plan. Signal will then begin storing your messages and media.
Signal plans on bringing secure backups to its desktop app, too, and will eventually allow you to transfer your encrypted messaging history between Android, iOS, and desktop.