James Harper
How To Set Up Signal on a Secondary Device in 2025
Using Signal on a secondary device can be a real lifesaver, especially when you need to stay connected on a tablet or desktop without constantly grabbing your primary phone. But setting it up isn’t a super straightforward process, and sometimes things just don’t work as expected. Maybe the QR code won’t scan, or Signal keeps refusing the link. The goal here is to get Signal linked smoothly so your chats sync across devices, and you’re not stuck switching between apps all the time. This isn’t rocket science, but it’s a bit finicky — sometimes the simplest step can trip things up, especially if your app isn’t up-to-date or your network is acting flaky.
How to Fix Signal Multi-Device Linking When Things Go Wrong
Method 1: Double-check your Signal and device settings
This helps because Signal’s multi-device feature relies on your devices being in sync and your permissions being correct. Sometimes, the issue is just a permission glitch or outdated app version. First, make sure Signal is running the latest version on both devices. On Android or iOS, go to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for Signal, and tap Update if it’s available. Old versions can bug out or miss critical features.
- On your primary device: Open Signal, tap your profile icon, then go to Settings > Linked Devices. Check if the option to link new devices is enabled.
- On your secondary device: Open Signal, and see if the app is activated and can display a QR code. Sometimes, just closing and reopening the app fixes temporary glitches.
Furthermore, ensure both devices are connected to a stable internet connection — Wi-Fi or cellular. Signal’s linking process needs a live network to verify your account and sync chats. Because of course, Signal has to make it harder than necessary.
Method 2: Reset the linked devices list and try again
If you’ve attempted linking before, and it failed or got stuck, resetting the linked device cache could help. On your primary device, go to Settings > Linked Devices and then tap the three-dot menu (or gear icon) to find an option like Delete all linked devices. This clears out any corrupted data that might be blocking new links. After that, restart Signal — sometimes, a fresh start is all it takes.
- After relaunching Signal, try the linking process again: Tap Link New Device > Scan QR code on your secondary device.
On some setups, this steps helps the QR code scan work better — on others, it’s a no-go until you fully reauthorize the secondary device from scratch.
Method 3: Check permissions and disable VPNs or firewalls
This is kind of weird, but if your network boxes Signal’s access or your device’s camera permissions are off, QR scanning or connection establishing might stall. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Signal > Permissions and make sure the camera has all necessary access. On iOS, check Settings > Signal and toggle permissions accordingly.
If you’re using a VPN, firewall, or a restrictive network (like work Wi-Fi), that might block Signal from communicating with its servers or your device camera. Try disabling VPNs or switching to a more permissive network temporarily to see if that clears things up.
Extra tips & common issues to keep in mind
- Sometimes, Signal just gets stuck — in that case, uninstall and reinstall on both devices. Not sure why it works, but it’s a quick band-aid.
- Ensure your device’s date and time are correct — wrong settings can mess with Signal’s authentication.
- If the QR code won’t scan, try adjusting your device’s lighting, cleaning the camera lens, or increasing the screen brightness.
This stuff can be hit or miss — sometimes it’s just a matter of patience, or waiting a few minutes and trying again. Signal isn’t always the most stable, especially during updates or network hiccups, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a couple of tries.
Wrap-up
Getting Signal set up across multiple devices isn’t always smooth sailing, but those quick troubleshooting tricks tend to fix most of the common hiccups. Remember to keep apps updated, check permissions, and reboot both devices if things get stubborn. On one setup it worked immediately, on another… not so much, but persistence often pays off. Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone, or at least helps get the job done without pulling out extra hair.
Summary
- Make sure Signal is updated on both devices.
- Check permissions — camera and network access are critical.
- Restart and reset linked devices if needed.
- Try using a different network or disabling VPN/firewalls temporarily.