Differences

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--- signal_install_burner [2026/05/28 10:27] – usera
+++ signal_install_burner [2026/05/28 17:00] (current) – [Procedure to link your new account to signal-desktop] usera
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Install Signal without a smartphone ======
-Imagine you do not want to have a smartphone for some reasons, but still need to have a little bit of privacy. Well, there is a way to use a desktop version of Signal on a computer (MacOs, Windows or Linux). You just need to be able to receive a One Time Password by SMS.
+Imagine you do not want to have a smartphone for some reasons, but still need to have a little bit of privacy.
+Signal is considered one of the most secure and private app for messaging, using a very advanced end to end encryption technology, and being open source and developed by a Foundation caring for our privacy and not an evil corporation. Besides, it is super user friendly and easy to use. However, most people consider that it requires the use of a smartphone.
+Well, good news: this is not True ! there is a way to use a desktop version of Signal on a computer (MacOs, Windows or Linux). You just need to be able to receive a One Time Password by SMS.
 This can be done on a regular "brick" phone, a burner or a Virtual Phone.
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
  you can verify the download in the following way:
   - download the signature signal-cli-*.tar.gz.asc
-  - Download the public PGP key: gpg –recv-key FA10826A74907F9EC6BBB7FC2BA2CD21B5B09570
+  - Download the public PGP key: <code>gpg --recv-key FA10826A74907F9EC6BBB7FC2BA2CD21B5B09570</code>
+  - Verify it: <code>gpg --verify [filename.asc] [filename]</code>
+  - Check the "Good Signature" appearing
+==== Procedure to register ====
+  *  Remove all VPNs if you have any active, and possibly deactivate anti tracking addons on your browser temporarily
+  * go to [[https://signalcaptchas.org/registration/generate|this website]], and solve the captcha. If proposed to automatically open a link with signal, refuse it, then right-click and copy the link associated with the new "Open Signal" text on the page
+{{::captcha_generation.png?400|}}
+{{::captcha_generation_2.png?400|}}
+  * Open a terminal, and go to the repository where you uploaded signal cli, using the <code>cd</code> command, then enter the bin repository
+  * Enter the command <code>./signal-cli -u [PHONE NUMBER STARTING BY +] register --captcha [PASTE THE COPIED LINK HERE]</code>
+  * If everything goes well, you should see no error, and then receive a SMS with a One Time Password on your phone.
+  * Enter then <code>./signal-cli -u [PHONE NUMBER STARTING BY +] verify [RECEIVED ONE TIME PASSWORD]</code>
+==== Procedure to link your new account to signal-desktop ====
+  * You can now open the signal-desktop client with <code>signal-desktop</code>. Note that if you already are using signal and want to create a new separate signal account, create a repository on your computer and enter:<code>signal-desktop --user-data-dir=[PATH_TO_YOUR_REPOSITORY]</code>
+  * You should see a QR Code appearing. Take a screenshot of it and save it as a picture for example.
+  * download [[https://schmich.github.io/qr-code-offline-tools/qr.html|this file]] and open it
+  * Click on open file, browse to the QR code.
+{{:qr-code-1.png?400|}}
+{{:qr-code-2.png?400|}}
+  * You should see a link starting by sgnl appearing. Copy it.
+  * Go back to your terminal and enter <code>./signal-cli -u [PHONE NUMBER STARTING BY +] addDevice --uri "tsdevice:/[PASTE THE COPIED LINK HERE]"</code>
+  * Then everything should work. If Signal hangs at "syncing contacts" you can turn it off then on.
+==== Final Signal configuration ====
+  * Final setup: go to preferences
+{{:signal_setup_1.png?400|}}
+{{:signal_setup_2.png?400|}}
+  * click on your name and set up a name and a username. Note down your username: this is what you are going to give to people so they can contact you.
+{{:signal_setup_3.png?400|}}
+{{:signal_setup_4.png?400|}}
+  * Go to Privacy/Phone Number (Change) and set both option to "Nobody"
+{{:signal_setup_5.png?400|}}
+{{:signal_setup_6.png?400|}}
+{{:signal_setup_7.png?400|}}
+  * You can now use Signal !