In my recollection, which may be imperfect:

1. On android if Google Play isn't available (or you install the no Google apk version) it'll use a websocket for notifications. Apple doesn't allow a persistent connection except through their own notification framework.

2. In either case Signal doesn't send message contents through the notification framework (not even encrypted). Once Signal receives a notification the app wakes up and reaches out to the signal service directly for actual encrypted message.

3. Regardless when signal shows the contents of your message in the notification menu of your device your device keeps a record on your device of that message content.

The FBI here didn't get anything from apple, once they had the apple device unlocked they looked at the notification database on the device to get the message contents. This isn't really any different from the fact that if the FBI has your unlocked phone they can read your signal messages. The notable bit is that the notification database retains messages even after the app is deleted.

> Apple doesn't allow a persistent connection except through their own notification framework.

How can iOS not allow persistent connections at all? How would a long download work or a call in the background work at all?

> Regardless when signal shows the contents of your message in the notification menu of your device your device keeps a record on your device of that message content.

How is that not treated as a backdoor unless it's explicitly mentioned when someone installs iOS?

" if the ___ has your unlocked phone they can read your signal messages. "

It's worth noting you can add an additional security check pin/bio/pass to signal that is different from your phone unlock.

The protester had also uninstalled signal from phone (even with access to the phone, they would not have access to signal, if they had reinstalled signal, and some how got the security pin or passphrase, they wouldn't be able to load the prior messages, without either, no messages at all).