The topic Signal for Android will finally let you use one account on multiple devices is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Signal, the encrypted messaging app, is adding support for adding a second device without a second phone number, starting with a new beta release on Android.
Spotted by AboutSignal (via Engadget), Signal for Android is adding a new “link device” ability which lets you add a second device to your account. Previously, Signal would only work on one device at a time, requiring users to sign in any time they want to use another device. The only exceptions were the Signal app for desktop, as well as a dedicated iPad app.
This new functionality is similar to WhatsApp, which also allows users to link multiple additional devices to a central base device, mirroring the account and chats on the secondary device.
An overflow menu on the page where you’d generally link a phone number adds support for “Link device,” which then pulls up a QR code you can scan on the secondary device to add it to your Signal account. You can also choose whether or not to transfer message history when linking the secondary device.
This is live now in Signal 8.20 for Android, but that’s only in the beta program. Presumably, it’ll arrive on the stable track in the not-too-distant future.
Signal has already updated its support page regarding linked devices with details on this new process. That page confirms that only 5 devices can be linked to an account and that devices are automatically unlinked after 45 days of inactivity. Your original phone also needs to come online once every 30 days.