With WhatsApp, the messaging application with millions of active users releasing its new privacy policy has led to several controversies and confusion amongst its users and has given rise to several of its alternatives such as Signal and Telegram.
Check out: Signal Vs Telegram: Which Is The Better Alternative To Whatsapp?
Everyone wishes to have complete privacy and even though WhatsApp promises to keep personal data and chats of the users protected, people do not want to take any chance. The Signal application is one of the most preferred options as it focuses on privacy and even has it as its tagline – “Say hello to privacy”.
In this article, we will focus on the various features of Signal and its provision that allows users to use Signal on desktop, PC, or laptop.
Signal privacy features
Along with privacy, the Signal app provides all the possible tools that a messaging application should have and the user needs. Some of them are:
Screen lock
The user can enable a screen lock to restrict unauthorized access. It provides the user with a built-in lock instead of any third party locks for protection.
Two-factor authorization
As a Signal user, you must have a 4-digit PIN added. This is not for the app lock but it acts as an additional layer for implementing the two-factor authorization. The recent update Signal has made, has it mandatory to set a PIN for the following purposes:
- Reinstallation
- Backup restore
- Identity verification
- If you want to change the PIN in simple and easy steps to ensure the encryption of your chats and data.
Notifications and chats
- Customize and manage notifications settings.
- The latest feature allows users to blur their faces to protect their identity by using the ‘Blur Faces’ option.
- The user can pin the chats on the top for easy access.
Disappearing messages
As a privacy-oriented messaging service, the Signal application has all the essential features the user needs to have an extremely private and secured conversation. One such feature is the ‘Disappearing Messages’, also called the – Self-destructing messages. So, as a user, you can set a timer as to when the messages will start disappearing but only after it has been read by the recipient.
Screen security
One of the best features that the Signal app provides and which is not provided in WhatsApp is that the user can block from others taking screenshots of chats, images, or other data from the application. This feature can be used by enabling the ‘Screen Security’ option in the application.
Other unique features
Some of the other features are:
- One time viewable image
- Write self-note
- Get the contacts verified
- Make calls through Signal’s IP address for protection and encryption of calls
- Old messages get deleted to ease the work of the user. When the messages exceed a specific length, they get deleted automatically by enabling the ‘Delete old messages’ option.
- Incognito keyboard can be used by the user if he or she doesn’t want the keyboard to personalize or remember the previously used phrases. This is another feature that reflects the importance the Signal application gives to the user’s privacy.
Also read about: Is Signal The New Communication Tool?
Now that we have a clear idea about what Signal is and why is it gaining popularity amongst messaging applications, let us move on to another feature that it provides, which is, its desktop version and how to use Signal on PC or desktop.
How to use Signal on your desktop computer?
Here is how you can use Signal on your desktop computer
Download Signal app on mobile
To use the Signal app on the desktop, first, it must be downloaded on the mobile by the user. The Signal app is compatible with the following:
- Windows
- Mac
- LINUX
- iPhones
- iPad
- Android
So you can install the Signal application on your device supported by any of these operating systems and software. Once you download the application from Google Play Store (for android) or Apple Store (for iOS) on your smartphone then follow the steps explained further to use it on the PC.
Signal Desktop app
Click here to get the Signal for Desktop from the official website. Once installed follow these steps:
- Make sure that your operating system supports Signal Desktop:
- Windows 64-bit: 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.
- macOS 10.10 and above.
- Linux 64-bit distributions supporting APT, like Ubuntu or Debian.
Link the mobile and desktop application
- Open the Signal Desktop version. A QR code would appear on the screen. This QR code connects your mobile device to your PC or laptop.
- Open the application on your mobile and click on the three dots option on the top corner. This will open the application settings.
- Now, go to the ‘Linked Devices’ option and click on the “+” button to add the new device and link it.
- In the case of the iPhone and iOS operating system, open the Settings menu from the top left corner and then select Linked Devices. Click on the Link New Device option to add the laptop or PC.
- Now, give Signal permission to access your camera by choosing the ‘Allow’ option on the dialogue box stating “Allow Signal to take pictures and record video?” to proceed further.
- Position your phone to scan the QR code on the Desktop application.
- The phone application will ask for confirmation whether you are sure that you want to link to the desktop app. To approve and proceed, tap on the “Link Device” option.
- Now the user can open their application on the desktop and add a username for the identification of the device.
- Finally, click on the ‘Finish linking phone’ option at the bottom of the screen to finish the linking process.
How to use the Signal desktop application?
The user’s contacts and messages from the phone would now be synced to the desktop application. The application would open such that all your contacts would be listed on the sidebar.
Each contact can be accessed by simply clicking on it. All the features that the application provides as a mobile application is available in the Desktop version also. For example:
- The user can make video calls and voice calls
- Send audio messages
- Attach and share – photos and videos
- Use stickers
Also, check out: How To Use Sticker Packs In Signal Messenger?
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered everything about the Signal application and listed the simple steps to use the Signal on desktop or laptop. Hope this article was useful to understand why Signal is being opted as the next best alternative to WhatsApp and its features that are unique and user-friendly.
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