Signal has introduced a new feature in version 8.30 of its iOS app that lets users create encrypted backups of their conversations and store them in a folder of their choosing. This is different from the standard backups hosted by Signal, which are stored on the company’s servers. With this new local backup option, users have more control over where their data is saved, similar to the backup system available on Android and Signal Desktop. This feature will soon be available to all iOS users and allows for easier transfer of conversations between devices. To set up a local backup, users must go to Signal’s settings, select "Backups," then "Local Backups," and choose a folder. Once selected, Signal displays a recovery key — a 64-character code — that is essential to access the backup. The files are end-to-end encrypted, meaning they can’t be opened without this key. Restoring a backup is straightforward: users can reinstall Signal, choose "Transfer or restore the account," and then select "Restore a local backup." The feature can be turned off at any time. On Android, local backups have existed for some time, but they often took up a lot of space because each daily backup created a new archive. The new backup format introduces a more efficient method by storing media in a separate folder and only copying new or changed files. This is especially useful if the backup folder is synchronized with an external drive or a NAS (network-attached storage). However, the first backup still copies everything from scratch, which may use more space or data than the hosted backup service. For users on Signal’s paid plan, hosted backups include an additional key that is renewed daily and stored in a secure, isolated part of the server. This helps protect past backups by destroying the old key each time it changes. Local backups, however, don’t use this method because they need to work with any storage medium. As a result, the recovery key can access all local backups, including older ones. Signal recommends users regularly delete old backups, especially if they are stored on a USB drive, to manage space effectively. Additionally, messages set to disappear after 24 hours are not included in any backups.