You cannot use Signal without a phone number for a primary account. Signal requires a phone number for initial registration, and there is no official way to create a primary account without one.
Can you use Signal without a phone number?
The app's registration flow always begins by entering and confirming a phone number on Android or iPhone, then completing SMS verification or the "Call me" fallback if SMS is unavailable. The only documented path that lets you use Signal without actively using your phone number on that device is the linked-device setup, which still requires a primary phone that has already been registered.
The official workaround: Use Signal on a linked device
The only documented "without phone number" path is linking Signal Desktop or an iPad to a primary phone that has already been registered. This allows you to use Signal independently on the secondary device, but it is not a standalone no-number signup path. The primary phone must remain active and occasionally online to keep the account from expiring.
How to set up Signal as a linked device
- Install Signal Desktop on your computer. Signal's help says to use the latest version of Signal Desktop when troubleshooting multiple devices.
- Open Signal on your primary phone.
- Go to Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap the button to link a new device.
- Scan the QR code displayed on Signal Desktop with your phone.
Limitations of using a linked device
Signal allows up to 5 linked devices per phone. Signal's linked-devices troubleshooting page says to confirm you have not hit the limit of 5 linked devices per phone. The primary phone must stay active and connect to the internet occasionally; if it remains offline for too long, the account may expire. Linked devices cannot register as standalone accounts, and they depend on the primary phone for account management.
What about virtual phone numbers or Google Voice?
Using a virtual phone number or Google Voice is an unsupported workaround that may fail. Signal only documents that the number used for registration must be able to receive SMS or a voice call if SMS cannot be received. If a virtual number cannot receive the needed verification method, Signal's support pages do not provide a workaround.
How standard Signal registration works
- Install and open the latest Signal app on Android or iPhone.
- Accept the Terms & Privacy Policy.
- Enter and confirm your phone number.
- Tap Continue on Android or Next on iPhone.
- Tap OK to confirm the number.
- Wait for the SMS verification code, or tap Call me after the timer ends to receive a voice code.
- Enter the code if it is not auto-detected.
Signal's registration troubleshooting page says to enter the full international phone number and omit leading zeroes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Signal without a SIM card?
Yes, after the initial registration is complete, you can use Signal on a device without a SIM card as long as you keep the primary phone registered and occasionally online. The primary phone does not need an active SIM after registration, but it must be able to connect to the internet.
Can I switch my Signal account to a different number?
Yes, you can change the phone number associated with your Signal account from within the app settings. The process requires you to verify the new number via SMS or a voice call, and your existing account data, contacts, and messages will transfer to the new number.
What happens if my primary phone is lost or broken?
If you lose the primary phone that has your Signal account registered, you will need to re-register Signal on a new device using your original phone number. Linked devices will stop working until the account is re-established on a new primary device.
Can I create a Signal account using a landline number?
Signal requires a number that can receive SMS or a voice call for verification. Landline numbers can receive the voice call verification by tapping "Call me" during registration, so they are supported as long as the number can receive incoming calls.
Is it safe to use Signal without a phone number?
For the wider topic, see creating accounts without a phone number.
