How to Hide Your Phone Number on Signal

Signal is a free and open-source messaging app known for its focus on privacy and security.

Signal uses end-to-end encryption for all your communication, including text messages, voice calls, and video calls. This means that only you and the recipient(s) can read or listen to your messages. Even Signal itself cannot access the content of your conversations.

Signal has recently introduced usernames as a privacy feature, allowing you to hide your phone number from your contacts and when searching for others on the platform. Here’s how to hide your phone number on Signal:

Using the Signal App:

1. Open the Signal app on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
2. Tap on your profile picture or initials circle in the top left corner.
3. In the menu that appears, select “Privacy.”
4. Under the “Phone number” section, you’ll see two options:
   • “Who can see my number” – This controls who can see your phone number in your profile.
   • “Who can find me by my number” – This controls who can find you on Signal using your phone number.

Hiding Your Phone Number from Your Profile:

1. Tap on “Who can see my number.”
2. Choose the option you prefer:
   • “Everyone” – This keeps the default setting where everyone you chat with can see your phone number in your profile.
   • “Nobody” – This hides your phone number from your profile entirely. Only people who already have your number saved in their contacts will see it.

Hiding Your Phone Number from Search:

1. Tap on “Who can find me by my number.”
2. Choose the option you prefer:
   • “Everyone” – This keeps the default setting where anyone with your number can find you on Signal by searching for your number.
   • “Nobody” – This prevents anyone from finding you on Signal using your phone number. You’ll need to share your username with them to connect.

Additional Notes:

• Even if you hide your phone number from your profile, people who already have your number saved in their contacts will still see it when they chat with you.
• Signal uses usernames as an alternative way to connect with people. You can create a unique username in your profile settings, and share that with others instead of your phone number.
• This feature is currently rolling out in phases, so you might need to update your Signal app to the latest version if you don’t see the username option yet.

By following these steps, you can control your phone number visibility on Signal and prioritize your privacy when using the platform.