When even Facebook strongly advises you to use end-to-end encrypted messengers, you should take note. Signal used to be clunky but that has now changed, as it targets the mainstream with enhanced functionality, making it a viable default messenger when it was not before. But Signal itself has the same rich chat functionality as other mainstream messengers, and you can encourage close friends, family and contacts to install the app. SMS within Signal is just the SMS basics.

In shifting from Android Messages, you’ll lose the ability to send RCS messages to other RCS users. But the desktop Signal app will work just fine for your encrypted messages. “We want to encourage users to move away from insecure legacy protocols,” it says. Signal does not offer its desktop option for this integration.

Just like iMessage, you’ll be able to see when your contacts are Signal-enabled or when you’re limited to what it calls “Unsecured SMS.” This integration is only available on your smartphone.

Google signal messenger app