When I first started using the signal, I will connect with friends using my phone number. Now, I use the signal to find people to interview people for stories, which is why some of my social media posts and articles include a note that tells people how they can bring me to the app.
Needless to say, I will not plaster my phone number all over the Internet. So it is a relief that the signal lets you make a user name to keep your phone number private. Others can find you on the app using that user name, and they will not see your phone number. (By the way, if you are a current or former worker for a federal science agency and want to connect, you can reach me at the signal on BQE210.91.) Even if you are not a reporter, it can be easy to exchange a small user name with someone instead of a phone number.
You can keep it mysterious and call yourself what you want
In the signal, you actually use two different names: a profile name and a user name. As we have discussed, the user name finds what the app finds on the app to find you. Once you start messaging each other, they will see your profile name. If your user name is usually very different from the people who call you, you can take this opportunity an opportunity to use a surname or real name. Or you can keep it mysterious and call yourself what you want.
Here are some ways by which you can use the signal most effectively. (And if you want to know more about whether the signal is a more safe way to connect with people, RuckusAlison Johnson broke it into another guide,
Change your profile name and user name
When you create a signal account for the first time, you will be motivated to set a profile name and photo. If you want to change it later:
- Tap on your profile icon to navigate on settings.
- Tap again on your profile icon, and then to change the profile name to the person icon.
You can also choose edit photos to add an image.
- Using Android device, tap on your profile icon. This will bring you to the settings. Tap your profile icon again.
- Using an iOS device, navigate on settings and then tap your profile icon again.
- Then, tap on the “@” symbol to edit your user name.
Once you set a user name, people can still find you using your phone number, until you change a different setting. If you do not want people to be able to find you from your phone number:
- Navigate on privacy settings. On Android, tap three dots on the upper right, and go Settings> Privacy> Phone NumberOn iOS, from your personal icon to the upper left, go to Settings> Privacy> Phone Number,
- Once you get there you can make it everyone Or nobody You can meet your number.
- You can also choose who will be able to see your number (again, it is not everyone or anyone.)
You still need a phone number to register for the signal. But last year, signal Announced Users’ phone numbers will no longer be visible to those they chat with default.
Message and call others
When you open the app, there is an icon that looks like a speech bubbles similar to the signal logo. Tap on it to see your messages.
To chat with a new person, tap on the button that looks like a pencil writing on a square. From there, you can search for their user name or phone number contact. You can also tap new group To start a group chat (which you can also name).
I also like to make voice calls on the signal – this is a great option if you do not want to leave any message behind as evidence.
- To call, tap on an old school phone receiver -like icon.
- Then tap on the icon that looks like a phone receiver, which is with a plus sign next to it to find contacts by the user name or phone number.
- To organize the group calls, you can tap on the “Call Link”, and then copy and share that link with others.
Share a QR code with your user name
Similar to Venmo, signal can generate a QR code that you can share to make people easier to find on the app. To pull it:
- From settings, tap on your profile icon
- tap on QR Code or Link,
Set surnames for other users
If it becomes easy to remember who is who is on the app, you can also set nicknames for your contacts. Just navigate on a person’s profile, and tap Surname Next to an icon of a pencil. When you message that person, the name you see will set you, and there is also a field for any note you want to tell about this person.
It is good digital hygiene to remove messages after a certain time, and the signal automatically lets you do this. Under settingtap on Secrecy And then DisappearThis allows you to determine a default time period for the disappearance of messages whenever you start a new chat with someone.
You can also create separate settings for each person or group with which you chat.
- Click on the profile icon on your message history.
- Tap again Disappear To determine a specific time period.
Options ranging from 30 seconds to 4 weeks from the time of sending to the signal. It also lets you determine a custom time to remove the message.
For an additional layer of safety, I locked a screen on my phone and set my signal app to reduce the risk of someone other than watching my messages. To set the screen lock on the app, navigate Settings> Privacy> Screen LockThis option is available only on screen lock phones, not on the desktop version.
Transfer your account between equipment
It is said that you want to use your phone and your signal account on a computer or iPad, the signal lets you link many devices to the phone number – but there are limitations. You can link five devices to the same phone, but you cannot link to another phone. You cannot even link Android Tablet.
From settings, tap Connected equipment To add a new device. You have to download the signal app on the device you want to link and draw a QR code that you will then scan using your phone.
Once you add a new device, you can choose You want to sink your chat for the last 45 days and call history. Keep in mind that every device linked by you can get another opportunity for someone to get into your messages, so proceed with caution.
