Molly review
A privacy-focused Android messaging client with extra local security controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Molly is an independent, open-source fork of Signal for Android. It is designed for people who want Signal-compatible end-to-end encrypted messaging alongside additional controls for the local app and network path. The app supports voice and video calls, disappearing messages, multi-device account linking, and Android tablet support. Its standard and FOSS variants are distributed through official F-Droid, Accrescent, and GitHub channels.
Its strongest distinction is the depth of its device-side security features. Molly can protect its local app database with a passphrase, automatically lock the app, and securely wipe RAM. It also supports blocking unknown contacts, disappearing call history, configurable backup schedules and retention, and SOCKS proxy or Tor connections through Orbot. These features make Molly a fit for Android users who want more control over local exposure and connection routing than Signal-compatible messaging alone provides.
Molly remains closely tied to the Signal-compatible ecosystem, including Signal backups and linked-device behavior. Integrations include Signal, UnifiedPush, MollySocket, and Orbot, while multi-device account linking supports up to five linked devices and groups support up to 1,000 members. The trade-off is platform coverage: Molly is Android-only and has no desktop app. Choose it if Android is your primary messaging platform and local security controls matter; choose another option if desktop access across platforms is essential or if you do not need the added controls beyond a standard Signal-compatible client.
Molly pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Passphrase encryption for the local app database
- Tor, SOCKS proxy, and UnifiedPush support
- Automatic app locking and secure RAM wiping
- Where it doesn't
- Available only on Android
- Value depends on the Signal-compatible ecosystem
- No desktop app is provided
Molly fact sheet, pricing and score →
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