In this article we will talk about how to Create Username and Hide Number on Signal. Finally, Signal users can now easily and privately talk to each other without giving out their phone numbers, as the app now supports usernames. If someone makes a nickname that is unique to them, they can build relationships with trustworthy people while still keeping their privacy.
Because users can share their username instead of their phone number, this cutting-edge technology gives everyone involved an extra layer of privacy and safety. Creating a username on Signal is easy and gives users control over their digital identity and how they want to interact.
You don’t have to worry about keeping your privacy or avoiding unwanted contacts when you use this feature, and it can be used for both personal and work reasons. When you use usernames on Signal, it makes conversation safer and more comfortable. In this way, an atmosphere is created that makes users feel safe using their chosen network while keeping their personal data safe.
How to Create Username and Hide Number on Signal
How to Get Your Own Signal Name
- Open the Signal app and tap the personal picture in the upper left corner.
- Tap on your name to access the Settings page.
- Navigate to your Profile settings.
- Choose “Username” at the bottom of the page.
- Type your new username into the text box.
- Click “Save” to confirm your new username.
- Note that your username will be accompanied by a number.
- Explore more sharing options available in your profile menu.
- Share your username with others by either scanning the QR code or clicking on the link.
- Inform others that your username is not used for logging into the app; the phone number is still required for account creation and login.
How to Make Your Signal Number Unknown
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Choose Privacy under Privacy.
- Make sure that Nobody is chosen under “Who can see my number?”
- Select Nobody under Who can find me by my number if you don’t want people to be able to use their contacts list to find you on the app.
- From then on, your handle will be the only way for other people to connect with you on the app.
- This also stops people from adding you to Signal when they allow the app to view their contacts. Instead, you will need to give them your username in order to join.
Importance of Privacy on Signal
- Encryption from End to End: Signal encrypts all texts, calls, and media by default, which is different from many other messaging apps. This encryption makes sure that only the sender and the receiver can read the message. This keeps governments, hackers, and even Signal itself from reading it.
- Minimal Data Collection: Compared to other apps, Signal doesn’t collect a lot of information about its users. It does not keep a copy of your messages, contacts, or call logs on its computers, and it does not keep track of what you do in the app. This cuts down on the amount of information that could be lost or stolen in a security breach.
- Open-Source Software: Signal’s code is open-source, which means that anyone can look it over and make sure it works. This makes it easy for security experts to find and fix any possible holes in the app’s code, which makes it even safer.
- Focus on User Control: Signal gives people a lot of privacy options. You can turn on features like screen security, which needs a PIN or fingerprint to open the app, and disappearing messages, which delete themselves after a certain amount of time.
Why You Might Want to Hide Your Phone Number
Increased Control:
- Who can find you: By hiding your number, you gain control over who can initiate contact with you on Signal. Only individuals with your unique username can message you, even if they have your phone number saved.
Reduced Exposure:
- Limits discoverability: Hiding your number prevents people you don’t know from finding you on Signal simply by searching for your phone number. This can be beneficial if you use Signal for sensitive communication or prefer to keep your personal and professional circles separate.
Enhanced Security:
- Mitigates potential risks: Sharing your phone number online can expose you to potential spam, phishing attempts, or unwanted calls. Hiding your number on Signal adds an extra layer of security by minimizing the personal information accessible to others.
User Choice:
- Flexibility and customization: Signal doesn’t force you to hide your number. You can choose the level of privacy that works best for you, balancing control over who can contact you with the ease of connecting with known contacts.
Additional Tips for Signal Users
Use Screen Lock and the Invisible Keyboard:
- Turn on Screen Lock. This adds a layer of security with a PIN or biometric authentication to Signal, keeping your messages safe from people who shouldn’t be able to see them if you lose your phone.
- Turn on “Incognito Keyboard.” This feature stops the keyboard app from learning how you type, which could reduce the amount of data that is collected.
Take care of previews of notifications:
- Turn off notification previews. This hides message text from your lock screen or notification bar, so you can keep your privacy even when your phone is locked.
Use Messages That Disappear:
- Set Times for Messages to Delete: This function deletes messages from both devices automatically after a set amount of time, so people don’t keep them for too long.
Make sure your contacts are real and use safety numbers:
- Verify Contacts: Compare your contacts’ unique safety numbers with each other in person or on a reliable site to make sure they are who they say they are and stop anyone from impersonating them.
How to download Signal app?
For Android phones:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Search for “Signal Private Messenger” or tap here: [Google Play Store Signal].
- Tap Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
For iPhones and iPads:
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Search for “Signal – Private Messenger” or tap here: [Apple App Store Signal].
- Tap Get and follow the on-screen instructions.
FAQs
If you set “Who can see my phone number” to “Nobody,” the only people who will see your phone number in Signal will be the people who have saved it to their phone’s contacts. If you set “Who can see my phone number” to “Everybody,” then your number will be visible to anyone who you chat with in Signal.
A user’s nickname is often a short form of their first and last name. For instance, the handle “site” could be made by putting together the first letter of a person’s first name and the first four letters of their last name or alias.
Signal is an instant messaging app that cares about its users’ privacy and safety. It recently added a new username feature that gets rid of the need to share phone numbers. The company said in a blog post that your phone number will no longer be shown to everyone you chat with by default.
