How to download and install Signal on Mac

Before you download

Signal on a Mac works only together with Signal on your phone: install Signal on the phone and register your number there first, then link the Mac to it. The download on Signal’s website is one disk image for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Signal for Mac needs macOS 13 Ventura or later. Download it only from signal.org.

How to install Signal

1. Open the downloaded Signal .dmg in your Downloads folder.
2. In the window that opens, drag Signal to the Applications folder.

3. Eject the Signal disk: click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar.
4. Open Signal from Applications and click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet.

Link Signal to your phone

1. Open Signal on your Mac: it shows a QR code.
2. On your phone, open Signal, go to Settings › Linked devices and choose to link a new device.
3. Point the phone’s camera at the QR code on the Mac screen.
4. Give the Mac a name when asked and wait until your chats appear.

Signal may offer to transfer recent messages from the phone. Without that, the Mac shows only the messages that arrive after linking.

What to set up after the first launch

macOS asks for each permission the first time Signal needs it. If you clicked Don’t Allow by mistake, turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security:

• Microphone and Camera: turn on Signal for voice and video calls.
• Screen & System Audio Recording: turn on Signal to share your screen in a call, then quit and reopen Signal.
• Opening at login. If you want Signal to start with your Mac, or don’t, change it in System Settings › General › Login Items.
• The installer. Move the .dmg from Downloads to the Trash once Signal runs.

If Signal won’t install or open

• «Signal is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete it and download it again from Signal’s website.
• Signal doesn’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS version in About This Mac: it needs macOS 13 or later.
• The phone won’t read the QR code. Turn up the screen brightness and hold the phone straight in front of the screen.
• Nothing helps. Remove Signal completely and install it again, then link it once more: see how to uninstall Signal on Mac.

Alternatives to Signal

• WhatsAppThe same kind of encryption, more of your contacts are there.
• TelegramLarge groups, channels and a native Mac app.