Signal users can now seamlessly sync their encrypted messages across multiple smartphones, ending a long-standing limitation that restricted account usage to a single primary phone. The privacy-focused messaging platform has launched full support for linking additional Android devices and iPhones under a single registered phone number.
Historically, Signal permitted users to link secondary devices such as desktop computers and iPads, but adding a second active phone was strictly prohibited. With the latest update, users can check and respond to messages across all linked smartphones in real time. To maintain tight security control, users can choose whether to transfer an end-to-end encrypted copy of prior chat histories to newly linked hardware, helping mitigate privacy risks in the event a secondary device is shared, lost, or compromised.
The update is rolling out globally with Signal version 8.20 for Android and version 8.22 for iPhone and iPad. Alongside multi-phone support, Signal has introduced interface upgrades designed for large-screen hardware, notably foldable smartphones and Android tablets. Optimizations for Chromebook displays also remain underway as part of the app's expanded device ecosystem.