This is the reason you shouldn’t choose a chat platform that requires the using the mobile OS duopoly—get your friends off of LINE, WhatsApp, & Signal.

[–] helpmyusernamewontfi 17 points 8 months ago (1 children)

while I agree, signal is also on Linux and is a more polished alternative

[–] Wilzax@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

But it does require a cell phone number to get started, meaning your signal account is tied to your identity via your phone carrier

[–] PolarisFx@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 8 months ago (2 children)

There are many services that will give you a temp number to sign up with for these services. I have many verified discord accounts, none of which are my actual phone number.

[–] toastal@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 months ago

You still need an Android/iOS primary device… it’s not just a SIM situation IIRC

[–] Catsrules@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I don't think you can use another number that isn't the phone number tied to your device when you use Signal mobile app.

I have two phones and Signal refused to let ne sign in on phone a using phones b's number.

[–] PolarisFx@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 8 months ago

This isn't the site I normally use, but it's another one:

https://grizzlysms.com/signal

You get a unique phone number, signal sends the activation text, you confirm the account. And they add the number to a blocklist so no one else can use that number and screw your account up. I've done it for Discord, Telegram & Signal. I have Signal running in Waydroid right now, without my phone number attached to it

[–] wax@feddit.nu 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Got this update message in signal earlier this week. Nice to see them moving in the right direction, but I guess the initial signup still requires a phone number.

"Your phone number will no longer be visible to anyone on the latest version of Signal unless they have it saved in their phone's contacts. You can change this in Settings.

A new privacy setting lets you control who can find you by your phone number on Signal.

You can now set and share an optional username to let people chat with you without giving them your phone number. "