Now you can securely link multiple phones to one Signal account

← Back to the feed

Now you can securely link multiple phones to one Signal account

The Verge · 3 hours ago

Signal has updated its secure messaging app to allow users to link multiple phones to a single account, expanding on its existing support for linking PCs and iPads. Previously, only one phone number could be paired with additional non-phone devices, so this change makes it easier for people who regularly use more than one Android phone or iPhone to stay in sync. Messages can be checked and answered across all linked devices, with users able to choose whether previous conversations are copied to each newly added device to reduce risk if a device is lost, shared or compromised.

The update is rolling out now via Signal version 8.20 on Android and version 8.22 on iPhone and iPad. Alongside the multi-phone linking feature, Signal says it has made interface improvements for larger screens, including better support for foldable phones, which has also enabled the app to work on Android tablets. The company notes that its large-screen Android interface remains "a work in progress" and that further optimisation is planned for its Chromebook app.

  • Signal now lets users link multiple phones to one account.
  • Update live in Android v8.20 and iOS/iPad v8.22.
  • New foldable and tablet support, though large-screen UI still developing.

New here? Start with this

Signal is a messaging app widely used for its strong privacy protections, particularly its end-to-end encryption, which means only the sender and recipient can read messages. It is used by ordinary people, journalists, activists and officials who want their conversations kept private, and it is developed by the non-profit Signal Foundation rather than a large tech company.

Until now, a Signal account could only be tied to one phone at a time, with extra devices like laptops or tablets linked alongside it. This limitation was awkward for anyone who regularly switches between two phones, since keeping messages in sync across devices was not straightforward. The change lets an account be linked to several phones at once, reflecting how many people now split their use between multiple handsets.

The update matters because it makes secure messaging more practical for everyday habits without weakening the encryption that underpins Signal's reputation. It also fits into a broader trend of messaging apps improving support for multiple devices and different screen sizes, as people increasingly expect the same conversation to be accessible wherever they are.

Cricket Gadgets Sport Technology

Read the full article at the source →