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Can I use Signal on my computer if I have a push-button phone? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 years ago by clemy@lemmy.world to c/signal@lemmy.ml

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Good evening,

I'd like my group of high school friends to use Signal to chat, but one of them uses a push-button phone on a daily basis. Nevertheless, she has a computer at home, and with this computer she previously communicated in the Instagram group. Hence my question: since she has a push-button phone capable of receiving SMS, can she use Signal with the desktop application for PC ? Thanks a lot! :)

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[–] habitualTartare@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Their website says you need a phone with the iOS or Android app to link a desktop. There may be a workaround if you have an iPad or old android without the sim or something you can do with emulating the app on desktop.

If you're looking for another encrypted messenger, telegram should let you create an account with just a phone number.

https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360008216551-Installing-Signal/

[–] KLISHDFSDF@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'd personally recommend Element/Matrix over Telegram for secure/encrypted messaging.

Telegram doesn't do end-to-end encryption for anything unless you opt into it, negating any claims about privacy as everything is accessible to any Telegram engineer with enough admin rights by default (or hacker/state actor who might breach the network). Additionally, Telegram's end-to-end encrypted messaging is incredibly limited, almost by design to discourage it's use 🤔, as it doesn't work across multiple devices or even group messaging.

Lastly, Matrix/Element doesn't require a phone number, just an email, and works across Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and the web. I'll admit the UI isn't as "nice/polished" as Signal/Telegram, but its 99% there, improving all the time and does a whole lot more while actually being private.

[–] clemy@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Thanks for your complete answer ! I'm aware of Telegram's limitations, and that's why Signal appears to be a compromise between a private messaging service and an application that can be used by the general public. While I personally don't mind using tools like Matrix, my friends don't necessarily have a computer culture, so I'm afraid of losing them a little 😅 But thank you very much for your help! :))

[–] clemy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Hum... I don't think she has an old Android smartphone or tablet which can make the thing, but I don't want to use Telegram... not so private as Signal is (thanks @KLISHDFSDF@lemmy.ml) It seems that it will be impossible for her to create a Signal account. However, thanks for your answer :)