You can now try Signal without a phone number, but only in the Android beta and only if you pay a one-time fee of about $3. The new numberless registration gives you an account ID and key instead of tying your account to a SIM.
It is a big step for privacy, and it comes with real trade-offs. Here is how it works and whether it makes sense for you.
Quick facts first:
- Available in Signal Android beta 8.28 (reported as v8.28.1), not the stable app yet.
- One-time fee of $2.99, paid through Google Play Services for now.
- You log in with an Account ID and Account Key, not an SMS code.
- Lose either one and there is no recovery.
- iPhone support has not been mentioned.
Those limits matter, so read the details below before you switch.
How Signal numberless registration works
When you start a new sign-up in the beta, you will see an option to register without a phone number. You pay the fee, and Signal issues an Account ID and an Account Key. Think of them as a username and password.
Signal says the payment uses the same zero-knowledge proofs as its donation system. In plain terms, Signal can’t link your payment to your account. That is the whole point of the design.
According to Privacy Guides, you can also add authenticator-app two-factor protection. Passkey support is planned.
Why Signal charges a fee
The fee is an anti-spam measure. If anyone could create unlimited accounts with no phone number, scammers could flood the network cheaply. A small payment makes mass sign-ups expensive.
Reports from Android Authority and Privacy Guides differ slightly, calling it “$3” and “$2.99”. They describe the same one-time charge.
Numberless account vs regular account
The two account types behave quite differently. This table shows what changes:
| Regular Signal account | Numberless account (beta) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up needs | Your phone number | A one-time fee of about $3 |
| How you log in | SMS verification | Account ID and Account Key |
| Recovery if you lose access | Re-verify your number | None, you are locked out |
| Can others find you? | Yes, via number or username | Only if you set up a username |
| Where it works today | Android and iPhone | Android beta only |
The big trade-off is discoverability. Without a username, nobody can find you. You can only chat with people you contact first.
Who should (and shouldn’t) try the beta
This option suits people who don’t want a SIM-linked identity. In many countries you need ID to buy a SIM, so your number can point straight back to you. A numberless account cuts that link.
It is a poor fit if you want a simple, forgettable setup. You must store the ID and key in a password manager. If you lose them, nobody can restore the account, including Signal.
A few practical limits apply today:
- Only Google Play payments work, so GrapheneOS users without Google Play Services can’t pay yet.
- You can’t remove the number from an existing account. Signal says it is still thinking through that.
- It is a beta, so expect rough edges and changes before any stable release.
Signal says more payment methods are planned, so the Play-only limit should ease over time.
If privacy is your goal, also read how WhatsApp guest calling works without an account. It solves a different problem, but it shows how messaging apps are loosening the phone-number link.
How to try Signal without a phone number
You need an Android phone and Google Play Services. Install the Signal beta from Google Play or from Signal’s GitHub releases page. Then start a new registration and look for the numberless option.
Before you pay, set up your password manager and be ready to save the Account ID and Account Key right away. Treat them like your only copy, because they are.
Signal’s own beta feedback thread on its community forum is the place to report bugs. If you already use Signal, your current account stays as it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Signal without a phone number on iPhone?
Not yet, as far as the reports say. The feature is in the Android beta only, and no iPhone timeline has been shared.
Is Signal’s numberless sign-up free?
No. There is a one-time fee of about $3 ($2.99 per Privacy Guides). Signal says this stops mass spam accounts.
What if I lose my Account ID or Account Key?
You are locked out for good. There is no recovery route, so save both in a password manager.
Can I remove my phone number from my existing Signal account?
No, not right now. Signal says it is still considering the implications. Signal usernames can already hide your number from contacts.
Will people be able to find me?
Only if you set a username. Without one, your account is unreachable and you can only join chats you start.
My take: if you have a real reason to keep your number out of the picture, this is worth a test on a spare account. For everyday chatting, the regular setup with a username is easier and still hides your number from contacts. Wait for the stable release before moving anything important.
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