Why Signal?

Signal is consistently recommended by security experts, journalists, and privacy advocates as the safest messaging app available to everyday users. It's free, open-source, and encrypts every message, call, and file transfer by default. If you've never used it before, this guide will get you up and running in minutes.

What You'll Need

  • A smartphone (iPhone or Android)
  • A phone number for verification
  • An internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Step 1: Download Signal

Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for "Signal." The official app is published by Signal Messenger LLC. Download and install it.

⚠️ Be careful of impostors — only install the official Signal app from the verified publisher.

Step 2: Register Your Phone Number

  1. Open Signal and tap Get Started.
  2. Enter your phone number, including your country code.
  3. Tap Next and wait for a verification SMS.
  4. Enter the 6-digit code you receive.

Signal uses your phone number as your identifier, but it does not store your messages on its servers — they stay on your device.

Step 3: Set Up Your Profile

You'll be prompted to create a profile with a name and optional photo. This is what your contacts will see. Unlike your phone number, you control exactly who can find you and how.

Step 4: Enable Registration Lock (Important!)

This is a critical security step that prevents someone from re-registering your Signal account using your phone number:

  1. Go to Settings (tap your profile icon).
  2. Select Account.
  3. Tap Registration Lock and toggle it on.
  4. Set a strong PIN — and remember it.

Step 5: Start a Conversation

Tap the pencil/compose icon to start a new chat. Signal will show you which of your existing contacts are already using Signal. Send them a message — it's end-to-end encrypted automatically, no extra steps required.

Step 6: Make Encrypted Calls

Inside any Signal conversation, tap the phone icon (audio call) or video icon to make a fully encrypted call. Signal calls work over the internet and don't use your regular phone minutes.

Step 7: Explore Key Settings

Here are a few settings worth configuring right away:

  • Note to Self: Message yourself to use Signal as a private, encrypted notepad.
  • Disappearing Messages: Set a default timer so messages auto-delete after a chosen period (Settings → Privacy → Default Timer).
  • Screen Lock: Require Face ID / fingerprint to open Signal (Settings → Privacy → Screen Lock).
  • Screen Security: Prevents Signal from appearing in your app switcher preview (Settings → Privacy → Screen Security).

Step 8: Link Signal to Your Desktop

If you want to use Signal on your computer:

  1. Download Signal Desktop from signal.org/download.
  2. In the mobile app, go to Settings → Linked Devices → Link New Device.
  3. Scan the QR code shown on the desktop app.

Your messages will sync across devices, and all communication remains encrypted.

You're All Set

Signal's power lies in its simplicity — it looks and works like any other messaging app, but with privacy baked in at every level. The more of your contacts you can bring over to Signal, the more you benefit. Share this guide with someone who could use a privacy upgrade.