The Signal Desktop

Signal is a secure, free, and open source messaging application that uses end-to-end encryption to securely send and receive all kinds of communications such as one-to-one messages, groups, stickers, photos, file transfers, voice calls, and even video calls with other Signal users. Signal comes highly recommended by some of the top privacy and security advocates. Signal is not owned or created by a big tech company but is published by the Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC, two not-for-profit organizations. Signal does not collect or sell data -- a breath of fresh air alternative to the relentless data gathering practices of major tech companies. The only information that is stored on the Signal servers is the phone number you registered with, the date and time you joined the service, and the date you last logged on. Signal has recently hired Meredith Whittaker as its first president, making Signal, like the Firefox browser, one of the few widely used tech products led by those outspoken about the harms of Big Tech. Being open source means the code is freely available to be examined by anyone. To date a number of independent third-party audits have been conducted with nothing untoward discovered. It's well worth the time and effort to research Signal on any decent search engine to learn more and keep up with any recent news and developments to be sure Signal is staying true to its mission of privacy and security. Things are changing all the time. It's worth the time and effort.

With Signal you can have group chats with up to 1000 people and group calls with up to eight people. Unlike Zoom, there are no time limits on video calling, though Signal does not yet have all the features of Zoom. And, while Signal is smartphone based and linked, you can also use it on your Linux computer, fully in sync with your smartphone Signal app. This brings us to the purpose of this web page, how to set up Signal on your computer. This assumes you already have installed the Signal app on your smartphone and opened a Signal account.

Setting up Signal on your Linux Computer

The Signal desktop app, called Signal Desktop, should already be installed for you on your computer. All you need to do is sync it with your smartphone. This process should take no more a minute or two especially if you are familiar with working with QR codes. Just in case we'll go through it step by step.

• From the menu icon at the lower left of the screen, far left on the panel, choose Internet --> Signal.
• The first time you open Signal you should be greeted with the "Link your phone to Signal Desktop" dialog (see image). A QR code is displayed. Below the QR code are brief instructions, slightly different for Android or iPhone.
• On your smartphone open the Signal app and then tap the menu button which is three vertical dots at the upper right of the screen. Choose "Settings".
• When the Settings menu opens, choose "Linked devices". If you have already linked devices to your Signal account you will see them here.
• Tap the blue “+” button on Android or "Link new device.." on iPhone to begin to link your Linux computer. Point your smartphone's camera at the QR code.
• The QR code should be quickly recognized and the connection confirmed. You’ll be asked whether you’re sure you want to link the device to your Signal account. Tap the blue “Link device” text.
• On your Linux computer you'll be asked to choose a name for this device. Enter any name you want. This is the name that will appear in the list of devices on your smartphone and has no effect on your Signal username or ID.
• Signal will now sync any contacts or groups that you have with your Linux computer.
• Be aware that if you do not use Signal on your computer for a long time you will be prompted to re-link following the steps above.

You are ready to go! Now you can chat by typing on a keyboard. You can have video conversations using your bigger monitor's screen. Anything you do will be automatically synced with your smartphone. If you need more clarity How-To Geek has a pretty good description of these steps with pictures. You can skip through the installation steps as Signal should already be installed for you. The How-To Geek article has a good discussion on the difference between security and privacy that is definitely worth a read.