Signal for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)

Typing long messages on a phone keyboard is slow, and many people want their private chats on the big screen while they work. Signal — the messaging app known for strong privacy — has an official desktop app that mirrors your phone conversations onto your Windows PC.

This guide shows you how to download Signal for PC from its official website, install it on Windows 11 or 10, and link it to your phone. Requirements, key features, and clear answers about cost and privacy are covered below.

What Is Signal?

Signal is a free messaging app built by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, and developed by Signal Messenger LLC. It is famous for one thing above all: every message, call, photo, and file is protected by end-to-end encryption using the open-source Signal Protocol, so only you and the person you are talking to can read what you send.

The desktop app is a companion to the phone app, not a replacement for it. You register on your phone first, then link the Windows app by scanning a QR code. From then on, your chats sync between devices — start a conversation at your desk, finish it on your phone.

Key Features of Signal

End-to-end encryption everywhere: Messages, group chats, voice and video calls, and shared files are encrypted by default.
Phone linking: Pairs with your Android or iPhone in seconds by scanning a QR code.
Synced conversations: Chats, groups, and media stay in step across your phone and PC.
Voice and video calls: Clear one-to-one and group calls from your desktop, using your PC’s microphone and camera.
Disappearing messages: Set chats so messages delete themselves automatically after a chosen time.
Stickers, reactions, and stories: The everyday extras people expect from a modern messenger.
No ads, no trackers: Run by a nonprofit and funded by donations and grants, not advertising or data sales.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
Processor: Any modern dual-core Intel or AMD CPU
RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended for group video calls
Storage: Around 400 MB for the app and its local message database
Internet: Required to link the app and to send and receive messages
Account: A Signal account registered on your smartphone is required first
Phone app: Signal for Android or iOS, already set up with your number

How to Download Signal (Official Method)

Because Signal is a security app, copycat download pages are a real risk — a tampered copy would defeat the whole point of using it. Download Signal only from its official website, where the current Windows version is published free of charge.

Official Website: Download Signal from the official website

Step-by-Step Installation

First make sure Signal is installed and registered on your smartphone — the desktop app cannot create an account on its own.
On your PC, open the official Signal download page linked above and click the Windows download button.
Save the Signal Setup installer file, then double-click it to run setup.
Setup takes a few seconds and finishes without extra options or bundled extras.
Launch Signal from the Start menu; a QR code appears on the screen.
On your phone, open Signal and go to Settings → Linked devices → Link a new device, then scan the QR code.
Give the computer a recognisable name on your phone and tap Finish — your chats now appear on the PC.

Important note: The desktop app depends on your phone account. If you change your phone or unregister Signal on mobile, you will need to link the PC again — this is normal and takes less than a minute.

How to Link and Use Signal on Your PC

Open Signal Desktop and check that your contact list and recent chats have loaded.
Click a conversation to open it, or use the pencil icon to start a new one.
Type your message and press Enter to send; use the + button to attach photos, videos, or files.
To make a call, open a chat and click the phone or camera icon at the top.
Set disappearing messages for a sensitive chat via the chat settings menu at the top right.
Press Ctrl + K to search conversations quickly from the keyboard.

Is Signal Really Free?

Yes, completely. Signal is free to download and use, with no premium tier, no in-app purchases, and no features held back. It is run by a nonprofit foundation and funded by user donations and grants, which is also why it carries no advertising and collects almost no data about its users. If a website asks you to pay for Signal itself, close it and use the official website linked in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Signal safe to download and use?
Yes, from the official website linked above. Signal’s encryption protocol is open source, publicly audited, and used as the privacy benchmark across the industry. The risk comes from fake download pages, so always use the official source.

Can I use Signal on PC without a phone?
No. Signal accounts are registered through the mobile app, and the desktop app only works as a linked companion. You need an Android phone or iPhone with Signal set up before the Windows app can sign in.

Does Signal Desktop work when my phone is off?
Yes, once linked. The desktop app connects to Signal’s servers directly, so messages arrive on the PC even if your phone is switched off or out of battery — the two devices sync again when both are online.

Are my old phone messages copied to the PC?
When you link, your conversation list and recent message history appear on the desktop app. Very old media may stay on the phone only, but ongoing chats continue seamlessly on both devices.

Conclusion

Signal Desktop puts genuinely private messaging on your Windows screen: encrypted chats and calls, synced with your phone, and free without ads. Install it from the official website, scan one QR code, and your conversations are wherever you are working.

Download Signal from the Official Website

Signal for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)