Signal is testing usernames for chatting without sharing phone numbers

Signal is experimenting with usernames on its platform. This no longer requires users to share their phone numbers with other users in order to chat with each other. A general release will follow in early 2024.

The test feature has been announced on the Signal forum. The platform currently calls the feature a ‘prebeta’ and warns of bugs, such as service crashes and push notifications that may not work. Signal expects to make the feature available to everyone early next year, says Signal president Meredith Whittaker on Reddit.

According to screenshots on social media users can share their username with each other via a QR code. After setting a username, it also becomes possible to hide your phone number from other users. This way, Signal users can still chat with each other, even if they want to keep their phone number private. This is currently not possible.

The feature is currently available in test builds of Signal. Android users can download it via Google Firebase. Desktop users can compile the source code or download precompiled builds via Signal’s blog post. iOS users can the Signal code for iOS clone and run in the XCode simulator.