Signal allows Android phones to be linked as secondary devices (beta)

16 July 2026 18:18 CEST

With the latest beta, Signal users can now link an Android phone to their existing Signal account on another device, such as a primary Android phone or an iPhone.

This is useful for people who use multiple phones, such as a personal and a work phone, while keeping the same Signal account and synchronized chat history across devices.

Last week we found the first indications of support for phones as linked devices in the source code of Signal for Android.

The new functionality allows users to use their Signal account on an additional Android phone, without registering a separate phone number. The linked Android phone synchronizes chats and messages with the primary device, allowing users to access their conversations from multiple phones.

In the meantime, Signal also introduced linked device support for Android tablets, allowing users to use tablets as linked devices. These improvements mark a major step toward broader multi-device support for Signal.

How to set up an Android phone as a linked device?

As mentioned, the feature is currently in beta. Once it becomes available to everyone through Google Play, follow the steps below:

First, install Signal from the Google Play Store on the Android phone you want to link. On the welcome screen, tap Continue and allow permissions (or tap Not now) for notifications, contacts, and phone calls.

On the next screen, you can register your Android phone as a standalone device by entering and verifying your phone number, or you can tap the three-dot menu and select Link device.

Note: According to a developer on the Signal Community Forum, this step is still subject to change, and we’ll update this post accordingly once the change has been implemented. For now, beta testers can use it this way.

*Signal linked Android phone – Link device option*

If you choose to link your Android phone to another primary device you’ll be presented with a QR code. Open Signal on your primary device, go to Settings > Linked devices > Link new device, and scan the QR code displayed on the Android phone you want to link to your existing account:

*Signal linked Android phone – Scan QR Code*

In Signal on your primary phone, you can choose whether to link the device with or without transferring your message history. We choose to transfer our message history. Signal will then link the device:

*Signal Linked Android phone – Linking device*

After the devices have been linked, your messages will be synced. This may take a few minutes. As with everything in Signal, your messages and chat information are protected by end-to-end encryption, including the syncing process.

*Signal Linked Android phone – Syncing messages*

Signal is now successfully setup as a linked device, and your chats and messages are synchronized across devices.

Availability

Signal’s support for linked Android phones is now available in Signal for Android beta version 8.20. After the beta testing period, it will roll out to all users through Google Play.