How to change your phone number on the Signal messaging app on an iPhone or Android device

You can't change your phone number in the Signal app directly, but you can deregister your old number and then update the app as if it were new.
Signal is a secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption that relies on your phone number to identify you and your contacts.
On an iPhone, you need to uninstall and then reinstall the app, but on an Android you can tap a banner to set up your new phone number.
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Signal is a highly secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption. The app relies on phone numbers for identifying and communicating with users, so if your phone number changes, you need to update Signal with your new contact information.

Signal doesn't allow you to change your phone number in a single step. Instead, you need to deregister your old number within the app and then set the app up a second time with your new phone number.

How to change your phone number on Signal on iPhone

1. Open the Signal app on your iPhone.

2. Leave any groups you are a member of so that people don't continue to send messages to your old phone number. To do that, tap a group chat in your inbox, and then tap the name of the group at the very top of the screen. Then, on the Chat Settings page, tap "Leave Group" at the bottom of the screen.

How_to_change_your_phone_number_on_Signal 1 — Tap "Leave Group" at the bottom of the group page to make sure people don't send messages to your old number.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. Tap your profile avatar at the top left of the screen. In the Settings menu, tap "Advanced."

4. Tap "Delete Account" and confirm you want to do this by tapping "Proceed" in the pop-up window.

How_to_change_your_phone_number_on_Signal 2 — You'll need to delete your existing account to clear out your old phone number.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. If you have a new phone number on the same phone, uninstall the Signal app. Then go to the App Store and reinstall Signal.

6. Start the Signal app and follow the instructions to set up the app as if it were new, using your new phone number. If you are switching to a new phone, install Signal from the App Store and then start the app. Follow the directions to set up a new account using your new phone number.

How to change your phone number on Signal on Android

1. Open the Signal app on your Android.

How_to_change_your_phone_number_on_Signal 3 — Be sure to leave any groups so people don't continue to text your old number.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. Tap your profile avatar at the top left of the screen. In the Settings menu, tap "Advanced."

4. Turn off Signal messages and calls by swiping the button to the left. Confirm you want to do this by tapping "OK."

How_to_change_your_phone_number_on_Signal 4 — Turning off Signal messages and calls removes your phone number from Signal.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. If you have a new phone number on the same phone, return to the app's main inbox screen and tap "Enable Signal message and calls." Then follow the directions to enter your new phone number and complete the setup.

If you are switching to a new phone, install Signal from the Google Play store and then start the app. Follow the directions to set up a new account using your new phone number.