Signal now lets you link a second Android phone or tablet to your existing account without needing a separate phone number, closing one of the app’s longest-standing usability gaps. The feature ships in Signal for Android v8.20 and Signal for iOS v8.22, and builds on the linked-device system that previously supported only Desktop and iPad.
Setup works via QR code: install Signal on the second device, tap the menu, select “Link device,” and scan the code displayed on your primary phone. You can optionally transfer your message history and the last 45 days of saved media during the process. Signal notes the sync “may take a few minutes” and runs entirely under end-to-end encryption.
Why This Matters for Android Users
The practical use case is straightforward — managing a personal and a work phone on one Signal account, or keeping a tablet in sync without juggling separate numbers. Signal’s own blog describes the update as “a major step toward broader multi-device support.”
Android tablet and foldable owners also get a redesigned layout in this release. Signal has dropped its legacy single-screen navigation on larger displays in favor of a proper two-pane interface that takes advantage of the extra screen space. The blog acknowledges this is still a work in progress — settings screens, the in-app camera, and full keyboard shortcuts are not yet optimized for tablets.
How to Link a Second Android Phone to Signal
- Install Signal on your second Android phone or tablet and open it.
- On the setup screen, choose the option to link the device to an existing account.
- On your primary phone, open Signal, go to Settings > Linked Devices, and tap “Link a device.”
- Scan the QR code shown on your second device with your primary phone.
- Optionally choose to transfer your message history and recent media.
- Wait for the sync to complete — it runs under end-to-end encryption and may take a few minutes depending on your history size.
Signal Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) continues to work as a linked device alongside the new phone and tablet support. iPhone users can similarly link a second iPhone starting with iOS v8.22, in addition to the existing iPad support.
The update is rolling out now through the Google Play Store. If you do not see v8.20 yet, check for updates manually — staged rollouts can take a day or two to reach all devices.
Source: Signal Blog
