Unlike other popular messaging apps, Signal is operated by a non-profit called the Signal Technology Foundation rather than a for-profit tech giant like Meta, which owns popular messaging apps like Instagram and WhatsApp, or Apple, whose iMessage platform is available across the company’s devices.

To get at the general settings for Signal, from the Chats tab tap the three dots (top right) then Settings on Android, or tap your profile picture (top left) and then Settings on iOS. You can change a number of options from here: Choose Appearance, for example, and you’re able to change the app theme, colors, and icon.

Signal is the most secure messaging app for your smartphone, but a recent leak from a US government chat group has raised questions. So how safe is Signal and how do you use it properly?