The Signal messenger app will soon begin rolling out usernames to replace phone numbers, making them the default option from now on.
This is a feature Signal engineers have been testing for a while now, and which RestorePrivacy highlighted in November 2023, when it reached the project’s pre-beta ‘Staging builds.’ Introducing usernames that allow users to hide their phone numbers from their contacts reduces sensitive data exposure, though submitting a phone number is still required during new account registration.
After five months of testing, the feature has reached beta and will be rolling out to all Signal users in the coming weeks.
Introducing usernames
Usernames on Signal are aimed at enhancing user privacy when communicating with others but are not meant to act as social media usernames, so they won’t serve as login keys or handles that can be searched. Also, existing contacts who already have your phone number will continue to see it, so usernames are more helpful when initiating a new connection.
Here are the main changes brought by the introduction of usernames on Signal:
- Usernames will now become the default visibility option, so phone numbers will be hidden from everyone you chat with on Signal.
- Signal users will be given the option to make their phone number non-discoverable, allowing others only to connect with them if they enter their exact username.
- The users’ profile photo and name will remain visible, but the phone number will be hidden by default.
- Communication parties will be allowed to initiate a new conversation only when both enter the exact username of the other user in the ‘New Chat’ bar.
All in all, usernames give Signal users more control over how they can be found and contacted and allow the hiding of sensitive personal information like phone numbers. Signal says this feature fully aligns with the project’s mission to provide secure and private communications.
How to set it up
To create a username, head to Settings → Profile, and click on the username to set a new one. Usernames can be created, shared, deleted, and changed at any time, but they need to be unique and include at least two numbers at the end to prevent spoofing.
Once a username is created, it can be used to connect with others by simply sharing it with them. However, the other person must also share their username in order for the conversation to be initiated. Since usernames aren’t searchable, this is to protect users from random communications by scammers, etc.
To avoid typing errors, Signal will also give the option of generating a QR code or URL that point to the username, and which can be shared instead.
If a username is changed after a conversation has taken place, old communication parties do not receive a notice or see the updated username on the communication channel, ensuring ultimate privacy.
Signal is a top-rated end-to-end encrypted communications app with a proven track record and a rich set of privacy-minded features. Read our in-depth review of the Signal app here.