Signal: No More Phone Numbers Needed – Find Out Why!

Encrypted messaging app Signal, also known as a WhatsApp competitor, is testing public account usernames to remove the need for users to share their phone numbers when connecting to the service. Currently, new Signal users must share their phone number with others to connect.

Jim O’Leary, director of engineering at Signal, took to the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote: “Signal is testing a username feature. This would mean you don’t have to give out your phone number to the people you want to contact. You can set your phone number to private and not share it.”

While the new method still requires users to associate a phone number with their account during setup, the number is not shared with other users when they communicate, making communications even more private and secure.

Signal users who install the new version can share their username via a QR code or link, allowing others to contact them without needing to know their phone number. Users can also disable phone number lookup in the app settings under Privacy > Phone number > Who can find my number.

“Signal has been working on usernames since at least 2019, but it’s unknown when the feature will be ready for release. Using the pre-beta version on desktop and iOS today requires technical know-how, including code translation, which can be found on the Signal forums “, MacRumors reported.

Meanwhile, Signal competitor WhatsApp is also testing this similar feature. The new feature allows users to assign usernames to their accounts instead of mobile phone numbers.

Users can access the new feature through the settings menu in the profile section. With the introduction of the username feature, users will be given the option to choose a handle that represents their preferences. The new feature is also expected to improve security and user privacy.