Signal encrypted chat app arrives to Android, Edward Snowden approved

It’s been a half year since Open Whisper’s Signal first hit the iOS, and since then the encrypted calling and texting app has won a reputation for being one of the most secure, trustworthy solutions for private conversation on mobile. Now the app is finally making its way over to camp Android as well.

Technically speaking, Android users have had access to all the features in Signal since 2010, via two different apps from Open Whisper, RedPhone for calling, and TextSecure for secure texting. The new Signal app doesn’t introduce new functionality, but it does unify the experience into a reliable, easy-to-use platform that makes calling and texting as simple as using “normal” phone dialers and texting apps.

Can you really trust Signal? Considering it’s open-source nature, and the fact that all files are encrypted on the phone, and not remotely, means yes you can. Furthermore, the app has the direct approval of famed leaker Edward Snowden, who tweeted earlier today that he uses the app on a daily basis.

For those that are already using TextSecure, you’ll simply be prompted to install a new update that rolls the Signal experience into the app. For those that only used the RedPhone app, you’ll need to download the new Signal app to get started.

For those that are looking for secure chatting and texting, the Signal app is without a doubt one of the best solutions available right now. For those that have downloaded Signal, or upgraded from one of the previous apps, what do you think of the new experience? Share your thoughts in the comments.