Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Is there any way to get Signal SMS to copy text?

4,807 views
Skip to first unread message

Arthur Cresswell

unread,
May 5, 2016, 11:25:22 AM5/5/16
to
Often I get text sent to me in Signal that I just want
to copy and use elsewhere on the phone, but I can't
copy in Signal's SMS app.

Is there some secret trick to copying text in Signal
that nobody told me about in college?

How do you COPY text while in the Signal SMS app?

tlvp

unread,
May 6, 2016, 1:08:15 AM5/6/16
to
On Thu, 5 May 2016 15:25:22 -0000 (UTC), Arthur Cresswell wrote:

> How do you COPY text while in the Signal SMS app?

I'd expect that would depend on the OS of the phone. Some phones let you
select and copy text from just about anywhere (the old Moto SLVR, for
example), and paste elsewhere. Others, less so. HTH. Cheers, -- tlvp
--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP.

Arthur Cresswell

unread,
May 6, 2016, 7:00:48 PM5/6/16
to
tlvp wrote on Fri, 06 May 2016 01:08:20 -0400:

> I'd expect that would depend on the OS of the phone. Some phones let you
> select and copy text from just about anywhere (the old Moto SLVR, for
> example), and paste elsewhere. Others, less so. HTH. Cheers, -- tlvp

It's only Signal Private Messenger that you can't copy text from.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms&hl=en

The Android operating system allows copying of text in SMS apps.

For example, the default SMS app allows copying of text.
So it's not the OS.

Signal Private Messenger allows *pasting* of text.
But you can't copy text in Signal Private Messenger.

At least nobody knows how.
Yet.

You would think the Signal Support FAQ would have a Q&A on this:
http://support.whispersystems.org/hc/en-us/sections/202709868-Signal-FAQ

But it doesn't.

There are open bugs, which "say" they are resolved but I can't copy
but I can paste.

This says people can't copy or paste (but I can paste but not copy):
https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/issues/2845

Can you?

tlvp

unread,
May 7, 2016, 2:07:39 AM5/7/16
to
On Fri, 6 May 2016 23:00:47 -0000 (UTC), Arthur Cresswell wrote:

> Can you?

Me personally? -- not at all: I don't have Signal. Cheers, -- tlvp

Chris Rangoon

unread,
May 8, 2016, 2:06:32 PM5/8/16
to
tlvp <mPiOsUcB...@att.net> wrote:

> Me personally? -- not at all: I don't have Signal. Cheers, -- tlvp

It may be a security thing.

khalids...@gmail.com

unread,
Jan 16, 2018, 4:17:19 PM1/16/18
to

barryr...@gmail.com

unread,
Feb 9, 2019, 12:44:58 PM2/9/19
to
if Signal is downloaded on your android phone then yes you can, I just tried but it won't work on the signal for desktop.

b.ri...@gmail.com

unread,
Oct 14, 2019, 7:42:04 AM10/14/19
to
More specifically (in my experience), you can copy/paste a message that is being created but you cannot copy/paste message text that has been sent/received (unless you share it which leaves it in an editable state). Sharing is via the curved arrow in the upper right corner of the screen.

farme...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 28, 2020, 9:00:45 AM4/28/20
to
Reauthorize your old message app. It will update all of the messages sent or received since you switched to Signal. Now you can copy any message.

alv...@gmail.com

unread,
May 20, 2020, 2:16:42 PM5/20/20
to
Sigh.

minecra...@gmail.com

unread,
Aug 9, 2020, 3:40:04 PM8/9/20
to
I don't think you can. Tried on both Iphone and Android. If the copy blocking was intended, it is inconvenient but I'd be ok with it.

Well, I was able to copy message in Signal for the desktop.

John Jolly

unread,
Oct 25, 2020, 7:48:40 AM10/25/20
to
Old thread, I know. Here are my findings:

On my Android phone I just long-hold the message. It will pop up the silly emoji bar, but the top edge of the screen changes to show icons for "Information", "Delete", "Copy", and "Share". If the message is from another Signal user, then additional icons for "Forward" and "Select Multiple" appear. When I press the "Copy" button along the top, the message content is stored on the clipboard and can be pasted in any other Android app on my phone. I used this to copy-and-paste and address from a Signal message to Google Maps without a problem.

John Hanley

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 12:54:29 PM1/12/21
to
@John Jolly, I was momentarily stumped on how to copy a message in Signal on Android. I then read your post and said "duh" to myself because the additional functions are there at the top of the screen. Thanks!

Loïc Pitois

unread,
Jan 27, 2021, 4:37:24 AM1/27/21
to
Thanks mate, I was so blind ! You opened my eyes.

Bill Donnahoo

unread,
Feb 3, 2021, 1:08:10 PM2/3/21
to
On Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 1:37:24 AM UTC-8, Loïc Pitois wrote:
> Thanks mate, I was so blind ! You opened my eyes.
I am new to Signal, and I don't seem to have some of the icons other people get after doing a long press.

However, I discovered that if you share the message to "note to self" you can then copy and paste the text, as long as you haven't hit send.
Then, of course, you can back out of the message if you don't want to save it in "note to self."

I hope that helps someone.
0 new messages