How to Use Signal on Your Desktop Computer (Windows, Mac & Linux)

As a WhatsApp alternative with better privacy, you must be already on Signal and is using it as your primary messaging app. Do you miss the “WhatsApp Web” which allowed you to use WhatsApp on your computer? Signal has a similar feature. The Signal Desktop is available to use right from your computer. Just like WhatsApp, you can chat with Signal contacts from PC.

Here we will take a look at how to get Signal desktop on your Windows 10 PC, Linux desktop, or your Mac/MacBook.

Install Signal Desktop on Windows, Mac & Linux

Unlike WhatsApp, Signal does not have a web version. This is to ensure more safety and privacy. However, you can install the Signal Desktop application whether you are using a Windows PC, Mac or a Linux computer.

To get Signal Desktop on Windows PC, go to the Signal website and download the EXE installer. Open the file and follow the instructions to install Signal Desktop on your Windows 10 PC.

Download: Signal Desktop for Windows

Related: 15 Best Signal Tips & Tricks You Should Try Out in 2021

Likewise, you can get the Signal Desktop installer for your Mac as well. Download the DMG file and add the application to your Mac to install Signal Desktop on Mac.

Download: Signal Desktop for Mac

Linux users will have to take an extra step to get Signal Desktop on your PC. If you are using any 64-bit Linux based systems (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.) you can install the Signal Desktop using these terminal commands,

wget -O- https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt/keys.asc |\
  sudo apt-key add 

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main" |\
  sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list

sudo apt update && sudo apt install signal-desktop

Once you completely install Signal Desktop on your PC, Mac or Linux system, start using the app by connecting your account. Let us see how.

Related: How to Backup & Restore Signal Messages Between Devices

Connect Signal Account with Signal Desktop

Signal needs to authorize your account and link the computer to start using the Signal Desktop. This is similar to WhatsApp Web login. Let us see how to connect the Signal account with Signal Desktop.

First, open the Signal Desktop app on your Windows, Linux or Mac. Make sure you have an internet connection, and then you will see a QR code on the screen.

Hold on, now open the Signal app on your iPhone or Android.

Go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link New Device.

After giving camera permissions, scan the QR code shown in the Signal Desktop on your computer.

Related: How to Send Memoji Stickers in Signal Messenger on iPhone

Confirm the sign in by tapping “Link New Device” on your phone.

Now the account is linked to your desktop and you can start messaging from the Signal Desktop app.

Even though you can message from Signal using the desktop app, it will not sync your previous messages from your phone. That means you will see all the contacts and groups on the screen, but without any messages.