# Easy to switch: These 10 WhatsApp features are already on Signal | Tech News (HT Tech) > Many users worry about losing WhatsApp features, even with Signal's privacy advantage. Here are 10 WhatsApp options that already exist on Signal, so you can switch right away! # Easy to switch: These 10 WhatsApp features are already on Signal ## Many users worry about losing WhatsApp features, even with Signal's privacy advantage. Here are 10 WhatsApp options that already exist on Signal, so you can switch right away! Aug 21 2022, 14:19 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![Signal is probably the only app you should be looking to if you want to ensure your messages stay between you and your friends/family/trusted contacts.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2021/01/11/1600x900/Untitled_design-28_1610122892155_1610122900793_1610345221084.png) Signal is probably the only app you should be looking to if you want to ensure your messages stay between you and your friends/family/trusted contacts. (HT Tech) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By HT TECH Signal, widely considered the gold standard in modern secure messaging systems, has grown steadily in recent years as the app has added features by popular demand. The service has seen a huge surge in popularity following an announcement by WhatsApp that they were making changes to their privacy policy to share additional data with Facebook. Many users have decided to make the switch, moving entire groups to Signal in a matter of days. While there are several useful features on Signal, many users are concerned that they will miss out on WhatsApp’s offerings. Here are 10 of these features that already exist on Signal, so you can switch right away. 1. Read Receipts and Typing Indicators Also read click here. You can check who’s seen your messages and who’s “leaving you on read” with Signal’s read receipts feature, just as you can on WhatsApp. These can be turned off so others can’t see when you read their texts - but if you do, you won’t be able to see if they’ve read your messages. The app also supports typing indicators, popping up three dots to show someone is writing, but unlike WhatsApp, you can turn these off as well. 2. Disappearing messages This feature, which only recently made it to WhatsApp after months of testing, has been in Signal for years now. You can choose to have the app delete your messages in the chat after a set period to keep the chat clean and save space on your phone. While WhatsApp limits the timer to only seven days, Signal lets you choose anything between five seconds to a week. 3. Full group support with admin roles Part of WhatsApp’s appeal is the easy way you can set up groups and let people join using a link or by adding them manually. Signal also supports link invitations that can be revoked, re-created or simply disabled when not needed. However, Signal goes one step further and asks users to accept a request before being added to any group so you don’t get added to unwanted groups. Similarly admins can choose to approve any members joining via invite links. 4. Reliable end-to-end encryption for messages Designed to ensure that only the intended recipients are able to see its contents, end-to-end encryption is becoming more and more popular today with more apps and services embracing the technology. In this case, Signal has employed their encryption in a much better way than WhatsApp. This is not surprising, considering that WhatsApp has been using Signal’s technology for end-to-end encryption of messages since 2016! 5. Attachments and forwarding messages Another important feature in any modern messenger, Signal supports sending attachments in any format (except APKs) to any Signal user. An added bonus is that Signal does not compress photos sent as heavily as WhatsApp. All attachments are completely encrypted, just like your messages and calls. The app also supports forwarding messages to other users and groups. 6. Support for a desktop application This feature actually arrived on Signal before it did on WhatsApp - Signal has a proper, offline, dedicated desktop application for Windows, MacOS and Linux. This means that unlike the WhatsApp Web app, your phone does not have to be connected to the internet for the desktop app to work. Facebook is working on true multi-device support for WhatsApp but we do not know when it will be publicly available. 7. Voice notes Just like WhatsApp, you can send voice messages on Signal by holding down on the mic button which is located inside the area where you compose your messages. These are handy when you have to explain something at length but you can’t type and your hands are full. You can also hold and swipe up to ‘lock’ the recorder instead of holding the mic icon for an extended period. 8. Biometric locking Another feature that has existed on Signal for years before it arrived on WhatsApp a year ago, Biometric locking ensures that no one except you has access to your chats. You can also choose how long the app will remain unlocked before it is locked again, as well as hide the contents of the notifications when it is locked. 9. Group video calls Recently introduced on Signal, you can video call up to five people at the same time and continue those late night conversations, just like you did on WhatsApp. The developers at Signal bring useful features to users, but ensure that they implement those features in a very easy-to-use manner, so your group video calls are both secure and easy to set up. 10. Message archive and conversation pinning These might not be considered an important feature by many, but for those of us who like to keep their inboxes tidy, the message archive feature is an absolute must. Unlike WhatsApp, you don’t have to long press and archive, just swipe a conversation away. You can also pin conversations so they’re always ready and right at the top of your list. Are these features on Signal enough for you to switch from WhatsApp? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook if you made the switch! Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel. 11 Jan, 11:54 IST signal whatsapp facebook privacy policy ![HT Tech Awards](https://tech.hindustantimes.com/ht-tech-power-list-awards-2026/httech-awards-banner-new.webp) ### Related Stories 07 Oct 2026 71,610,345,138,735 NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Tips & Tricks ![Ghibli-style art](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to turn your photos into Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT for free: Step-by-step guide ![How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide ![Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it ![Vodafone Idea OTT plans](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Vodafone Idea users can now stream 17 OTT apps with one subscription: Here's how ![Android data transfer methods](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to transfer data from one Android to another using Google backup, USB-C cable, and more ## Editor’s Pick ![iPhone 16e launched with A18 chip, Apple AI—bringing flagship power on a budget: Check specs, price](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 16e launched in India: All details about the new budget mobile from Apple ![DeepSeek was founded in China with only a fraction of the budget of the top AI companies in the US.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### DeepSeek AI: How it works, who’s behind it, how it’s different from ChatGPT, and its big US market impact explained ![iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on ![Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini ![iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update ## Trending Stories ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside keep up with tech ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ![Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-twitter.png) ![WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-whatsApp.png) ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ## Gaming ![Check out these five gaming monitors under ₹20,000,](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Top 5 gaming monitors under ₹20000 you should consider ![gaming consoles](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Grab gaming consoles at discounted rates during Amazon Great Indian Festival: Up to 72% off ![Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 to bring Grimmsnarl family, Shiny Hatenna, and global challenges ![Shade Silver](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Shade Silver free on Steam for a limited time: Here’s how to get it ![Call of duty](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 skips Switch 2 at launch, release date and price leak ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Trending News ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ## Trending Gadgets Mobiles Laptops Tablets ![HT Tech](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HT_tech-new.gif) - https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/easy-to-switch-these-10-whatsapp-features-are-already-on-signal-71610345138735.html