Multiple Accounts on Signal Desktop: Is it Possible?
Using the beta client is the simplest way to do it
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Many users want to use multiple accounts with Signal Desktop, and this might not be as easy as you think, but in this guide, we’re going to show you a few ways to do it.
How can I use multiple accounts on Signal Desktop?
1. Install the beta version
- Go to the Signal beta page.
- Download the Windows version and install it.
- Once you install it, connect the other account with the Signal Desktop Beta.
Beta and Standard versions are completely separate on your PC, so you can use them with two accounts with ease.
2. Create a new Signal profile folder and use the –user-data-dir parameter
- Press Windows key + R and enter %appdata%.
- Locate the Signal folder, but don’t open it.
- Create a new folder that you want to use for Signal, and name it Signal1 for example.
After that, we need to change the Signal shortcut by doing the following:
- Create a copy of your Signal shortcut.
- Right-click the copy and choose Properties.
- In the Target field add the following after the quotes:
--user-data-dir=" C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Signal1"
- Remember that you need to change <YourUsername> so it matches your actual username on the PC.
- Click Apply and OK.
- Run the new shortcut and you’ll be asked to set up a new account.
This isn’t the only Signal Desktop command line option, and we have a whole article dedicated to them, so you might want to check it out.
Can I use two accounts on Signal?
You can have just one account registered to a phone number, so if you want two or more accounts, you’ll need two or more SIM cards.
As you can see, it’s not possible to natively use multiple accounts on Signal Desktop but you can use these workarounds to achieve the desired results.
If nothing else works, you can create a new Windows 11 profile and install Signal there, or you can run a virtual machine with Signal on it in the background as a last resort.
This isn’t the only option that is missing, and many have been asking for the ability to change the phone number on Signal Desktop as well as the option to export messages on Signal Desktop.
If you want to know more about working with Signal accounts, we also have a new guide on how to log out on Signal Desktop, so feel free to check it out for more information. We also covered how to share screen on Signal Desktop, so don’t miss it.
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