# Signal Private Messenger

> Say “hello” to privacy.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.thoughtcrime.securesms](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.thoughtcrime.securesms)

## Overview

- **ID:** `org.thoughtcrime.securesms`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Signal Foundation
- **Category:** COMMUNICATION
- **Downloads:** 202,189,218
- **Rating:** 4.51 / 5 (2,915,025 ratings)
- **Version:** 8.26.4
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-10
- **First published:** 2010-05-25
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 134 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms)
- **Website:** [https://signal.org](https://signal.org/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://signal.org/privacy](https://signal.org/privacy)

## Description

Signal Private Messenger is a free, easy-to-use messaging app built with privacy at its core. It offers end-to-end encryption for texts, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files, ensuring your communication remains completely private. Users can enjoy crystal-clear encrypted voice and video calls supporting up to 50 participants, and connect with group chats that can host up to 1,000 members, complete with admin controls.

Beyond standard messaging features, Signal enables sharing of ephemeral Stories that disappear after 24 hours, giving users full control over their audience. As an independent, nonprofit organization, Signal collects no user data, employs an open-source Signal Protocol, and is committed to maintaining users' privacy without advertisements or investor ties. Discover more or access support at signal.org and explore its open-source code on GitHub.

## Rankings

- #706 — Overall
- #6 — Communication (Free)
- #43 — Communication (Gross)
- #75 — Application (Free)
- #20 — Top app in Germany
- #60 — Top app in Poland

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT`
- `android.permission.BROADCAST_STICKY`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.DISABLE_KEYGUARD`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CAMERA`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CONNECTED_DEVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PROJECTION`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_PHONE_CALL`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_REMOTE_MESSAGING`
- `android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_OWN_CALLS`
- `android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.RAISED_THREAD_PRIORITY`
- `android.permission.READ_APP_BADGE`
- `android.permission.READ_CALL_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED`
- `android.permission.READ_PHONE_NUMBERS`
- `android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_PROFILE`
- `android.permission.READ_SYNC_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS`
- `android.permission.SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM`
- `android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC`
- `android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS`
- `android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT`
- `android.permission.USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SYNC_SETTINGS`
- `com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT`
- `com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE`
- `com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE`
- `com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE`
- `com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE`
- `me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_READ`
- `me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_WRITE`
- `org.thoughtcrime.securesms.ACCESS_SECRETS`
- `org.thoughtcrime.securesms.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Reviews consistently praise Signal for privacy and security (end-to-end encryption, minimal data exposure, and independence from Facebook/WhatsApp). Call quality is generally solid, and messages are delivered quickly across Android and iOS. Users view it as a privacy-first alternative and appreciate the lack of data sharing. Some reports note occasional reliability issues such as registration/connectivity hiccups, missed messages, and flaky notifications, but these do not dominate overall sentiment.

### Pros

- Strong privacy and security with end-to-end encryption and minimal data exposure (no server-side packet data).
- Good call quality.
- Privacy-focused; not owned by Facebook/WhatsApp, offering a trusted alternative.
- Cross-device messaging across Android and iOS with fast delivery.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.thoughtcrime.securesms)