Signal Login is a new way to create a Signal account without handing over your phone number. It costs a one-time $2.99, it only works on the Android beta for now, and there is no way to recover the account if you lose your keys.
Quick facts
- Announced September 16, 2026, for the Android 8.28 beta, according to Privacy Guides.
- One-time fee of $2.99, which Signal says is meant to make mass spam sign-ups impractical.
- Your identity becomes a 32-character Account ID plus a 64-character Recovery Key.
- Android beta only. Existing accounts can’t drop their phone number yet.
If you only need the short version: it’s a real privacy upgrade for new accounts, but it’s a beta with sharp edges. Here’s how it works and who should care.
How Signal Login works without a phone number
Normally Signal ties your account to a phone number and texts you a code. Signal Login skips that. Instead, the app generates two long keys that act as your username and password.
The 32-character Account ID is your identity. The 64-character Recovery Key restores your message history and media from a backup. Per Signal’s support page, there is “no phone number fallback.”
You can also add TOTP two-factor protection after you register. Passkey support is planned, according to Privacy Guides, but it isn’t live yet.
Why Signal charges $2.99 to sign up
A phone number is a cheap spam filter. It costs real money to get hold of thousands of them. Remove the number and bots could create accounts for free, so Signal adds a small price tag instead.
Per It’s FOSS, the payment uses the same zero-knowledge proof setup as Signal’s donations. That means Signal says it can’t link your purchase to your new account. Signal’s support page lists Apple Pay and Google Pay, but the beta currently runs on Android and payment goes through Google Play Services.
That last detail matters. Privacy Guides notes that users on phones without Google Play Services, such as some GrapheneOS setups, can’t try it yet. The article also doesn’t say what Google itself can see about the purchase, so that question is still open.
What you can and can’t do with a Signal Login account
A numberless account behaves a little differently from a regular one. This table shows the main differences based on Signal’s support page and the reports above.
| Feature | Phone-number account | Signal Login account |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up cost | Free | One-time $2.99 |
| Identity | Phone number | 32-character Account ID |
| Recovery | Phone number plus PIN | 64-character Recovery Key only |
| Findable by others | Depends on your privacy settings | Not unless you set a username |
| Linked devices | Supported | Supported, and they show your Signal Login card |
| Platform | Android, iOS, desktop | Android beta only |
The username point is easy to miss. Without one, other people can’t find or message you, and you can only join chats you start yourself.
How to try Signal Login on Android
Because it’s in beta, you won’t find it in the regular Play Store build yet. Here’s the route It’s FOSS describes:
- Download the universal-release APK from the latest 8.28.x beta on Signal’s GitHub releases page.
- Install it and open the app, then tap Continue and pick “Register Without Phone Number.”
- Pay the $2.99 through Google Pay.
- Save your Account ID and Recovery Key in a password manager before you go any further.
Step four is the one people skip. If you lose both keys, Signal says it can’t recover the account for you.
Who should use it, and who should wait
Signal Login makes the most sense if you don’t want a messenger linked to your SIM, or if your country requires ID to buy one. Privacy Guides points out that many people object to this link for exactly those reasons.
If you’re happy with your current account, there’s little to gain. Existing users can’t remove their number, and Signal says it is still “thinking through the implications.” Casual users should probably wait for a stable release and iOS support.
Privacy is a theme across messaging apps right now. If you want another example, see our look at WhatsApp Restricted Chat and how it keeps private talks off your linked devices.
The privacy trade-offs worth weighing
Dropping the phone number removes one big link between your chats and your real identity. It doesn’t make you invisible. A payment still happens, and the app store you pay through still knows you made a purchase.
You also take on more responsibility. With a phone number, a forgotten PIN is an annoyance. With Signal Login, losing the keys means losing the account, so treat them like a crypto wallet seed.
Finally, remember it’s a beta. Features and pricing can change before a stable release, and the regional price may differ from $2.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Signal without a phone number now?
Yes, but only on the Android beta (version 8.28 or later) and only for a new account. You pay a one-time $2.99 and get an Account ID and Recovery Key.
Is Signal Login available on iPhone?
Not yet. It’s Android beta only, and It’s FOSS reports that iOS support isn’t expected soon.
What happens if I lose my Recovery Key?
Your account is gone. Signal has no phone number to fall back on, and its support team can’t restore it. Keep both keys in a password manager.
Can I remove my phone number from my existing Signal account?
No. Privacy Guides reports that existing accounts can’t drop their number, and Signal hasn’t said when that might change.
Signal Login is a smart option for people who’ve wanted a numberless messenger for years. My advice: try it on a spare account if you’re curious, but keep your main one until it leaves beta and your keys are safely backed up.
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