Where Are Signal Android Backups Stored?
Where Signal Android keeps encrypted on device backups, and the 30 digit passphrase that makes them restorable.
Last updated
Signal on Android writes encrypted backups to a folder you choose (Android 10+) or Signal/Backups by default on older versions. The file is named signal-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM.backup and holds messages plus available media at backup time.
The 30 digit passphrase is the entire security model: no passphrase, no restore, no exceptions and no reset path. Find the exact folder under Settings > Backups > Backup folder, since Android 10+ lets it live anywhere. Copy both file and passphrase off the phone; a backup that only exists on a lost device is decoration.
Where Signal stores this, by platform
/storage/emulated/0/Signal/Backups
Check Signal Settings > Backups > Backup folder for your exact path: Android 10+ versions let you pick it. Filenames are signal-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM.backup. Short timer disappearing messages are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
I lost the 30 digit passphrase. Can I recover the backup?
You cannot. The passphrase shows once at creation and Signal keeps no copy; support cannot recover or reset it. Your only move is creating a fresh backup, which generates a new passphrase. Record it in a password manager this time.
How do I move Signal history to a new phone?
Copy the backup file to the new phone before registering, then choose restore during setup and enter the passphrase. Backups only restore on the same phone number, and the file plus passphrase must travel together or neither works.
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