How to turn on Screen security in Signal on Android

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-turn-on-screen-security-in-signal-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17, Signal 8.32.3

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17, Signal 8.32.3

App

Signal

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Tap your profile picture

   It is at the top left of the Chats screen and opens Signal Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Privacy

   It is in Signal Settings, below Notifications.

   Done

3. 

   Switch on Screen security

   Scroll to App security. Ours said: Block screenshots in the recents list and inside the app.

   Done

4. 

   Check it worked

   With Screen security on, our screenshot of Signal came out as a black frame. We then switched it off again.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• On an iPhone? Signal says the iPhone switch is called Hide Screen in App Switcher, under Settings, Privacy. Source: Screen Security
• On Signal Desktop? Signal says Desktop has its own Screen security under Settings, Privacy, and that on Windows 11 it blocks screenshots by default. Source: Screen Security

If this does not work

• Need a screenshot of Signal? Switch Screen security off first. With it on, ours captured only a black frame.
• Previews still on your computer? Signal says Screen security only covers the phone it is set on. Source: Screen Security
• Screen lock greyed out? Ours was, because the Pixel had no screen lock set. Screen security works without one.

About this guide

Screen security sits under App security on the Privacy page, below Screen lock.

The screenshots are from Signal 8.32.3 on our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17, in Dark mode, taken on 25 October 2026. We switched it on for one screenshot, then off again.

Good to know

To turn off read receipts, see turn off read receipts in Signal.

For disappearing messages, see disappearing messages by default.

In short: Profile picture, Privacy, Screen security on.

📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.