Transfer Chat History on iOS Devices

  • Published on Jul 18, 2025
  • 1 minute(s) read
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Applicable to End Users

You can transfer Signal chat history between the following:

  • From the native Signal application on an iOS device to Signal Capture on the same or another iOS device.

  • From Signal Capture on one iOS device to Signal Capture on another iOS device.

When you transfer from iOS device to another, chat history and account information is deleted from your old device. You can transfer chat history between iOS devices only if you are using the same phone number.

  • If you are transferring chat history from the native Signal app to Signal Capture between devices, ensure that the version of the native Signal app is older than the Signal Capture version.

  • If you are transferring chat history from the native Signal application to Signal Capture on the same device:

    1. Transfer the chat history from the native Signal app to another device.

    2. Transfer back the chat history to Signal Capture on your current device.

Note

You cannot merge chat history. The chat history from your old phone replaces the history on your new phone, if existing.

Prerequisites

Before you begin transferring chat history:

  • For iOS 14 and above, enable Local network settings for both the native Signal app and Signal Capture.

  • Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

  • Disable low power mode in device battery settings, if enabled.

Transferring Chat History

To transfer chat history, you must have your old phone and new phone with you.

Step No.

On the New Phone

On the Old Phone

1

Download and install Signal Capture.

Open Signal Capture.

2

Open the application.

3

In the Transfer Account & Messages screen, tap Transfer from iOS Device.

4

Wait for the old device to connect.

When the device connects, tap Next.

5

When the window to scan a QR code appears, scan the QR code displayed on the new device.

5

Wait for the transfer to complete. This may take a few minutes.

6

After the transfer is complete, all Signal messages from your old phone are available on your new phone.

The app on your old phone is no longer connected to your account.