Signal, the encrypted messaging app, has rolled out a significant privacy feature. Users can now create a unique username to share with others, allowing them to connect without revealing their phone number. This change makes it harder for people to find a Signal user by simply knowing their phone number.

How the New System Works

The new feature is optional. Users can create a Signal username from the app's settings. This username is not the same as a display name. It serves as a private, unique identifier. To start a conversation, a user must share their exact username. Others can then search for this username within Signal to initiate contact. The phone number remains the core account identifier for technical purposes, but it is no longer the primary way to connect and be discovered.

A Shift Toward Phone Number Independence

This update is a strategic move for Signal. The app has long been a leader in end-to-end encryption, but it relied on phone numbers for account registration and discovery. This requirement created a vulnerability. A phone number is a piece of personal information that is often exposed through data breaches or public directories. By decoupling the discovery process from the phone number, Signal gives its users stronger control over their privacy. This change aligns Signal more closely with other privacy-focused tools that have moved away from phone-based identities.

Why This Matters

This update directly benefits Signal's user base of over 40 million monthly active users. For journalists, activists and privacy-conscious individuals, the ability to control who can find them based on their phone number is a major step forward. For everyday users, it reduces the risk of unsolicited contact from someone who simply has their number saved in their contacts. It also removes the social friction of asking someone for their phone number when a simple username will do. This is a practical improvement that makes a private tool more convenient to use.

Competitive Positioning

Signal is the last major end-to-end encrypted messaging app to introduce usernames. WhatsApp, which Signal's founder has criticized, has offered usernames for some time. Signal's implementation is more privacy-focused. Usernames on Signal are not searchable by default. A user must explicitly share their username for others to find them. This prevents random discovery or spam. The move strengthens Signal's position as the gold standard for private communication, offering a feature that balances privacy and usability.