AGPL-3.0
What Signal actually does
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messenger whose protocol is the reference implementation the rest of the industry borrowed. WhatsApp uses it. So do others. The difference is what sits around the encryption: Signal collects almost no metadata, and there is no advertising business attached to it.
This is the universal build published by Signal on GitHub, which carries every CPU architecture in one file. That is why it is 112.8 MB and by far the heaviest app in this catalogue. The Play Store version is smaller because Google splits it per device. If storage is tight, this one will cost you.
The honest limitation is that Signal still requires a phone number to register. You can hide it from other users behind a username, but you cannot sign up without one.
Why this app is on Apkoras
Signal Android is licensed under the AGPL-3.0, which explicitly permits redistribution. That licence is the written permission that lets us host the file at all. This is Signal’s own signed release from their GitHub, not a rebuild.
The file we serve is the original binary from the project’s own release, with the developers’ signature untouched. We do not repackage, re-sign or modify it. The SHA-256 in the panel is the hash of that exact file, and the source is one click away if you would rather read it than trust us.
Version history
Older builds stay available. If a new release breaks something for you, roll back.
| Version | Released | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.20.0 | 15 Jul 2026 | 112.8 MB | Release |
| 8.19.2 | 15 Jul 2026 | 112.1 MB | Release |
| 8.19.1 | 8 Jul 2026 | – | Release |
| 8.19.0 | 8 Jul 2026 | – | Release |
Common questions
Why is this download so much bigger than the Play Store version?
Because it is the universal build. It contains the code for every CPU architecture in a single file, while Google Play delivers only the slice your specific phone needs. Same app, one file, more megabytes.
Do I still need a phone number?
Yes. Signal requires a phone number to register. You can set a username so other people do not see your number, but there is no way to sign up without one.
Does Signal work without Google Play Services?
Yes. This build falls back to a websocket connection for message delivery when Play Services is absent. Battery use is slightly higher as a result.
Is Signal actually secure?
The protocol is open, audited and widely reused by other messengers. As always, the encryption protects the message in transit; it cannot protect you if the device itself is compromised.
How do I check my download is genuine?
On Windows run certutil -hashfile Signal-Android-github-prod-universal-release-8.20.0.apk SHA256. On Linux or macOS use sha256sum. Compare it to the SHA-256 on this page.