# Transfer Signal using Signal-native Backup and Restore

The best source to install [Signal](https://signal.org/) is always direct from the website [https://signal.org/android/apk/#target](https://signal.org/android/apk/#target)

## Export on the old phone

Open the Signal app and go to the settings. Navigate to *Chats* and then *Backups* (at the bottom). If they are disabled, turn them on.

[![signal-export-5-location.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-5-location.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-5-location.png)

[![signal-export-6-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-6-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-6-choose.png)

[![signal-export-7-passphrase.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-7-passphrase.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-7-passphrase.png)

Note down the passphrase, you'll need it for the restoration!

## Data transfer

## Import on the new phone

Starting Signal the first time, it asks you if you want to set it up newly or restore from a backup.

On the next screen you will be asked if to restore from another device or from a file. Chose the latter:

[![signal-restore-1-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-1-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-1-choose.png)

On the next screen click the button "Choose backup":

[![signal-export-6-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-6-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-6-choose.png)

This opens the native Android file chooser. With the button top left you can switch between internal storage and memory card.

[![signal-restore-3-open.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-3-open.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-3-open.png)

Choose your backup file.

The next screen will show you a few meta information on the file (age, size):

[![signal-restore-4-confirm.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-4-confirm.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-4-confirm.png)

Tapping on "Restore backup" will ask you for the passphrase:

[![signal-restore-5-passphrase.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-5-passphrase.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-5-passphrase.png)

Now, the restoration is in progress:

[![signal-restore-6-progress.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-6-progress.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-6-progress.png)

Guide to be continued.....