Signal It has earned its reputation as one of the most private messaging apps, with end-to-end encryption and a radical focus on security. Until now, there was an annoying contradiction: to use it, you had to share your phone number, a very sensitive fact For many people, that missing piece is here thanks to the arrival of usernames and new controls for hiding your number.
With this change, You can finally talk on Signal without exposing your number. to strangers or casual contacts. The new feature started as a beta and is now being rolled out to the entire user base, with a system that allows users to find you by a unique username, share it via link or QR code, and, in addition, decide who can see or find you by your number from the privacy settings.
What's changing in Signal: Hiding your number and usernames
For years, the biggest criticism of Signal was that you identified yourself with your number. There are now three new pillars: by default, your number is no longer displayed on your profile to those who don't have it saved; the option to create a new one appears unique username to connect without a number; and the ability to share it with a direct link or a QR code to start a conversation without revealing sensitive information.
It is important to understand the difference between the username and the profile name: the user (with unique format) is used to find youOnce someone writes to you, they'll see your profile name in the chat, not your username. The profile name isn't unique, and anyone can rename you locally in their app, so Your visible identity in the conversation does not depend on that @user..
How do Signal usernames hide your number?
The system is designed to nip spam and number doxing in the bud: Each username is unique and must end with two digits (e.g. Andy.01 or SSD.01). This suffix ensures uniqueness and complicates spoofing attacks, and You can change your username whenever you want to renew your contact “handle” if it is no longer discreet.
Signal does not currently offer a global user search. This means that no one will be able to start a conversation with you without knowing your exact username, or without using your link/QR. This decision increases privacy: if you don't share your username, It's as if you don't exist for those who don't know you., even if that person has your number and searches within the app.
Another important note: even if you use usernames, register your account with a number. That number is used to verify you and limit you to one account per line, but with new settings you can hide your number and limit its discovery, so that it doesn't leak into chats or your profile unless you allow it.
Availability: From beta to full release
The feature started in beta phase and, in that first phase, was available on Android through Google Play for those who signed up to try it out. A few weeks later, Signal announced its general rollout: Usernames are officially launched and hide your number by default for those who don't have you in their contacts.
For all this to work perfectly, You and your interlocutor must use the most recent version of the app. This way, you can avoid strange behavior when you share a user, change the number's visibility, or generate a QR code so someone can write to you directly.
Hide Your Number: Key Privacy Controls
In Settings > Privacy > Phone Number, you have two master keys. The first is "Who can see my number": by default, it's set to "Nobody," so your number will not be shown in chats unless you change the setting or the other person already has it saved. This reduces friction and avoid revealing personal information in new conversations.
The second is "Who can find me by number", which defaults to "Everyone". Changing it to "Nobody" means that Even someone who has your number in their address book won't be able to find you automatically. on Signal. In that case, they'll need your username or QR code to start the conversation. closing the door to unwanted contacts.
One thing to consider: if you set "Who can find me by number" to "Nobody" and don't set a username, No one new will be able to start a chat with you. In practice, the username becomes your controlled entry route, and share it only with those you want to talk to gives you fine control of your network.
Create and share your username
The process is simple and reversible: from your profile picture, go to your account card and look for the @username option. There you can select a unique identifier that includes two digits at the end. If the name is taken, try variants with the numeric suffixes until you find a free one. Changing it later doesn't delete your chats or contacts, But whoever only saves your old username will no longer be able to find you..
To share it, Signal offers two shortcuts: direct link and QR code. Go to your profile and select "QR Code" or "Share Link" and send it to the other person via your preferred channel. When they open it, they'll go directly to your contact in the app, and they'll be able to text you. without seeing your number and without going through searches.
If you blocked someone and that person changes their username, will remain blocked. The block is maintained at the account level, not the shared identifier level, so There are no shortcuts to bypass your decision.
Installation and first start: quick guide
Download the app from Google Play or the App Store, install it, and launch it for the first time. Initially, it will ask for permission to access your contacts; you can deny it if you prefer to enter numbers manually. Contact discovery on Signal is done privately.: Compares and deletes data after matching, but you have full control to not grant access.
Next, enter your number and verify the six-digit SMS. Next, create your profile (first name required; last name and picture optional) and set a PIN or passphrase. This PIN protects your information and allows you to restore settings. If you change your phone. The order of these steps varies slightly between Android and iPhone, but the idea is the same: verification, profile and PIN.
In this flow, you'll also see the new number discovery settings. If you don't want anyone with your number to find you, change "Who can find me by number" to "No one." You can then create your username so they can contact you there. blocking access via number unless you authorize it.
Chats, calls, and security verification
To start a chat, tap the pencil icon, choose a contact, or type in a number (if you chose to use that method). In addition to text, you can send stickers, photos, voice notes, GIFs, and files, all end-to-end encrypted. Voice and video calls inherit the same protection; if you also want to hide your line when calling, learn how to call with hidden number from Android. You can also generate a call link to invite more people to a conversation.
If you're discussing sensitive matters, consider verifying the security numbers with your contact. Enter the chat, tap their name, and open "View Security Number." You'll see a 60-digit string and a QR code. You can read and compare them or scan the code in person.. After confirming, mark as verified to ensure that there is no intermediary manipulating keys.
Groups and permissions to hide your number on Signal
Creating groups is as simple as going to a new group and selecting members. You can name it, enable disappearing messages, and start chatting. Optionally, enables a group link for people to join by invitation or demand approval of new members for more control. You can also limit who changes the group name or adds people, adjusting permissions to avoid chaos.
Disappearing messages and "view once"
Disappearing messages are deleted after a certain amount of time has passed since the recipient viewed them. You can set a default for all new chats, and you can also adjust each conversation individually. It serves to minimize the trace if someone accesses your device, although there is always the risk of capture or external registration.
If you want to share an image or video that can only be opened once, enable "view once" mode before sending. The recipient can open it, and it will be deleted afterward. Keep in mind that screenshot is still possible., so use this option wisely.
Discreet notifications and screen lock
To hide content from your lock screen, go to Settings > Notifications > Show and choose what's shown: nothing, sender only, or sender plus text. This granularity prevents accidental leaks. and reduces what intelligent summary systems can read from your alerts.
If you want a little extra, enable the screen lock within Signal. That way, Even after unlocking your phone you will have to authenticate yourself. to open the app, adding a second barrier if someone takes your device and wants to snoop around in your chats.
Hide the app in the switcher and remove link previews
When you switch apps, the switcher may show the last chat. Turn on "Screen Security" (Android) or "Hide Screen on Switch" (iPhone) to make it so that a blank window appears. This option also prevents screenshots on Android, which further reduces local risk.
Link previews add helpful thumbnails, but they can indicate that you're sharing a specific URL. They're disabled by default; if you enabled them and change your mind, go back to Settings > Chats and uncheck "Generate link previews." Less metadata, less exposure.
Incognito keyboard, proxies, and more private calls
On Android you can enable the “Incognito Keyboard” from Privacy, which helps limit data collection by third-party keyboards. It's not a magic shield against malicious apps, but reduces the footprint. While you're at it, review and delete any unused keyboards in your system settings.
If Signal is blocked in your region, try a proxy from Data & Storage (Android) or Privacy > Advanced > Proxy (iPhone). Enter the address of a trusted proxy and you'll see a check mark if it connects. Your messages will remain end-to-end encrypted., although the proxy provider will see your IP, so choose your font carefully.
When you make direct calls (p2p), your IP address may be visible to the other party. If you prefer to hide your number, enable "Always forward calls" under Privacy > Advanced. The call goes through Signal's servers. You gain privacy in exchange for a possible loss of quality, a useful choice if you don't trust your interlocutor.
Stories: Audience Control and Receipts
Signal incorporates Stories similar to those on other platforms. You can open them to all your contacts, hide them from specific people, or allow them only to a select list. You can also restrict them to a specific group., which makes it easier to share in small circles and keep control of who sees what.
By default, the person posting can see if you've viewed their story. If you turn off receipts in Stories, you will no longer appear on their viewing list, but in return you won't be able to see who's viewed yours either. And if you're not interested, disable Stories completely and its tab will disappear from the interface.
Reviewing linked devices and changing numbers
Signal allows you to link your account to a computer or tablet. From time to time, go to Linked Devices and unlink what you don't recognize. It's weird, but if you shared an iPad or switched laptops, It's easy to forget an active login.
If you change your number, there's a dedicated option to migrate your account by going to Settings > Account > Change Phone Number. Enter your old and new numbers, confirm, and complete verification. Your entire Signal context is updated, avoiding having to start from scratch and reducing confusion with your contacts.
Log Lock: Protect your identity on Signal
Activate "Registration Lock" so no one can register your number on another device without your PIN. It's a very effective barrier against account hijacking, but remember your code: I could spend at least a week without him. before regaining access if you change your mobile, so Use a strong PIN that you can remember.
Frequently asked questions about number and username
Can only the username be displayed in chats? As of today, chats show your profile name, not the user. What you can control is whether your number is visible (setting "Who can see my number" to "Nobody") and whether you can be discovered by it (setting "Who can find me by number" to "Nobody"). This is how you talk without exposing the line, even when the other contact writes to you for the first time.
Is there a search engine to find users? No. By design, there is no global username searchTo talk to you, they need to know your exact username or use your link or QR code. This increases privacy and reduces spam., since there is no easy “exploration” of accounts.
Is the number still required to register? Yes. The number is used for verification and account limits, but with the new controls does not have to be shown nor can it be used to find you, as long as you configure your user and privacy settings as you prefer.
Do I need to update for it to work? Yes. Both you and your contacts must be using the latest version. The features were first rolled out as beta and then they arrived officially, so staying up to date avoids incompatibilities with users who have not yet received the update.
With the arrival of usernames and new controls, Signal completes a key part of its offering: talk privately without giving away your number. Between default hiding, controlled discovery, links/QRs, and the advanced set of settings (ephemeral messages, blocking, proxy, verification, stories, and more), You have the complete board to adjust your privacy to the millimeter and communicate with whoever you want, without exposing yourself too much. Share this tutorial so more people can learn how to hide your number on Signal..