Articles in this section

See more

Signal Beta

Want to live life on the bleeding edge and help out with testing? If so, join Signal's beta!

Join and Get Started with the Beta

The beta is for users who do not mind discontinuity in service and are willing to work with us to understand and test issues.

Android 

iOS

Desktop 

  • Install directly using the links or steps for:
    • macOS 10.11 and above
    • Windows 64-bit: 8, 8.1, 10 and 11
    • Linux
      Note that these instructions only work for 64 bit Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Mint etc. 
      # 1. Install our official public software signing key
      wget -O- https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt/keys.asc | gpg --dearmor > signal-desktop-keyring.gpg
      cat signal-desktop-keyring.gpg | sudo tee -a /usr/share/keyrings/signal-desktop-keyring.gpg > /dev/null

      # 2. Add our repository to your list of repositories
      echo 'deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/signal-desktop-keyring.gpg] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main' |\
      sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list

      # 3. Update your package database and install signal
      sudo apt update && sudo apt install signal-desktop-beta
  • This is a new install with no message history. It is separate from the production version of Signal Desktop and will not replace it. 

Update to the Latest Beta

Android 

  • Automatically
    To set up automatic updates for Signal Beta and your other apps:
    1. Open the Google Play Store app
    2. Select Settings
    3. Tap Auto-update apps
    4. Select an option:
        - Auto update apps at any time to update apps using either Wi-Fi or mobile data
        - Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only to update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi
  • Manually
    1. Visit the Signal store page for your Android phone
    2. If a new version is available to you on your phone, you will see the option to update. Tap update and open Signal. 

iOS 

You will be notified by email from TestFlight or by notifications from the TestFlight app if it is enabled in iOS Settings > TestFlight.

  • Automatically
    To set up automatic updates for Signal Beta:
    • Open the TestFlight app
    • Select Signal
    • Tap Automatic Updates
  • Manually
    1. Open TestFlight
    2. If a new version is available to you on your phone, you will see the option to update. Tap update and open Signal. 
  •  

Desktop 
When an update is available, a blue banner will appear above the chat list.

  • Select “Click to restart Signal” or "Click to download update" from the blue banner to launch the latest version.
    desktop_update_banner_international_blue_click_to_restart_x_on_inside_edge.png
  • Select “X” to dismiss the alert and see a blue indicator dot in Signal Settings. To update, go to Signal Settings profile_avatar.png  > update_signal_arrow_circle.png Update Signal or quit and reopen the app.
    desktop_update_blue_dot_on_profile_for_update_menu_item.png

 

Provide Feedback

We incorporate beta feedback quickly to make these versions more stable and usable before they are available to everyone.

Manage Beta Notifications

Android 
Open the Play Store app > Settings > Notifications

iOS 
Open the TestFlight app > Signal > Notifications

Desktop
Update prompts will appear in Signal Desktop automatically.

Leave the Beta

Android 
Unsubscribe directly from the beta channel on Google Play.

iOS 

  1. Open TestFlight > Select Signal > scroll to the bottom and select Stop Testing.
  2. Compare your current version number (Signal Settings profile_avatar.png > Help) to the one listed in the App Store.
    • If your current version is the same or lower, then install directly from the store.
    • If your current version is higher, wait until it is the same or lower than the version listed in the App Store. 

Desktop
Delete Signal Desktop's Beta. This will clear your message history. 

Related articles