Signal offers this backup/restore function on Android – where about 60-70% of their users are, if I understand the Wired stats correctly.

So user-controlled portability doesn't seems fatal to the "point" of having a secure chat app, there.

My workaround, last time I upgraded my iOS device, was to screenshot all the old conversations I wanted to retain. Pictures come over just fine! Did Signal forcing me to do that make me more secure?

I think they just hate iCloud. (Perhaps while they trust Intel, they distrust Apple? It'd be great to know why.)

Well, I don't trust iCloud with my device backups, either. There are other things, in other apps on my phone, more sensitive than my Signal logs.

But it seems Signal is holding my chat histories hostage because they don't trust me. And it seems their ultimate plan for this will require me to use some Signal-run, Intel-SGX-mediated 'trustable cloud' for my contacts & messages. No, thanks!