How to Use Signal on Your Mac

February 18, 2021 / By

This guide will take you step by step through the process of installing and setting up the privacy-focused messaging app Signal to use on your Mac.

First things first, you do need to be using Signal on your smartphone (or iPad) before you can use it on your Mac. You’ll also need to have that same smartphone nearby when you set up Signal on your Mac. With that out of the way – let’s jump in!

  1. Head over to the Signal download page (link opens in a new tab/window). Find the section titled Download Signal for YOUR DESKTOP and click the Signal for Mac download link/button. Once the download has completed, double-click the .dmg file and drag Signal.app to your Applications folder to install it. Once that’s done, double-click Signal from your Applications folder to launch it.

    2. Signal.app in Finder for macOS

  2. A window with a large QR code will appear. Now it’s time to grab your smartphone. Open the Signal app on it and then select the Settings ‘cog’ icon (see screenshot below).

    3. an arrow pointing at a cog icon

  3. Scroll down to the Linked Devices option and select it.

    4. the Signal Settings screen for iOS

  4. Tap the Link New Device item.

    5. an arrow pointing to a Link New Device line

  5. If Signal hasn’t already asked for access to your devices camera, it will now. Tap OK or Accept to grant it permission.

    6. Permission request window in iOS

  6. Now hold up your phone and ‘scan’ the QR code on your Macs screen with the camera in your smartphone.

    7. a QR Code as viewed through the Signal app

  7. Once it’s successfully scanned the QR code a confirmation message will appear – tap Link New Device

    8. an arrow pointing to a Link New Device button

  8. At this point you can put your smartphone down and turn your attention back to your Mac.

    9. the Naming a Device window in iOS

  9. The window that used to have the QR code will now ask for you to give Signal a ‘name’ on your Mac. The default is probably fine but anything will do.

    10. naming Signal on a Mac

  10. Signal on your Mac will now copy the contacts and contact groups from Signal on your smartphone.

    11. Signal on a Mac syncing with Signal on a mobile

  11. That’s it – you’re done! You can now begin using Signal on your Mac to securely communicate with your friends.

    12. the Signal app running on a Mac

  12. If you ever need to ‘unlink’ Signal from your Mac, simply return to the Settings on your smartphone, select Linked Devices again and from there you’ll be able to edit/remove any of your linked devices.

    13. a list of Linked Devices

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3 thoughts on “How to Use Signal on Your Mac”

  1. blanche james

    Thank you for VERY helpful tutorial…. I have searched everywhere for how to be able to select and delete more than one signal message at a time on my MacBook Air Big Sur.. my only option is to click on EACH message , click delete, and then click delete again..3 clicks per delete for EVERY message! Is there no way to select multiple messages to delete at one time…I can on my phone but not laptop…..it’s very annoying and time consuming….

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