How to link Signal to my desktop without a cellphone? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Zeon@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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To my understanding, Signal requires that you have a physical phone to use the desktop version. Is there any way to scan the QR code without a physical device? I'm trying to make an anonymous Signal account.

My idea:

1.) Set up Android VM on Linux laptop

2.) Use laptop camera to scan the QR code on my desktop

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[-] GaumBeist@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 months ago

Because privacy is a spectrum, and it makes a good stepping off point for the people that still use text messages and social media chat clients to stay in touch. I can't convince half of my nerd friends to leave Discord for literally anything less shit, but I can convince even my tech-averse mother to use Signal instead of FaceTime.

this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2026

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