Signal is a closed messenger with maximum privacy (end-to-end encryption). It requires a phone number as the only verification method (email is not used). For those who value anonymity in communication and need multiple accounts (different projects, clients, teams), a virtual number is a standard tool.

Signal Features

What you need to know

  • Number = account: Signal uses a phone number as a unique identifier. Email is not required.
  • Encryption: all messages are encrypted end-to-end, Signal cannot see message contents.
  • Open source: Signal is a non-profit project funded by donations, with no hidden tracking.
  • Number requirement always: Signal requires an active number during registration.

When Signal requires verification

  • During registration (always, mandatory)
  • When changing a number (if switching to a new number)
  • When restoring a backup on a new device
  • On first login from a new device (sometimes)

Choosing a number for Signal

What Signal accepts

  • Any numbers: Signal accepts numbers from any country (190+ countries).
  • Virtual numbers: work without problems. Signal doesn't worry about virtual numbers because it contradicts the platform's privacy philosophy.
  • One-time numbers: work perfectly (Signal is compatible with privacy-oriented services).

Optimal country selection

For Signal, the country choice doesn't matter. No restrictions. We recommend:

  • USA (+1): standard, stable
  • Europe: Germany, France, Netherlands — all work perfectly
  • CIS: Russia, Belarus — work
  • Asia: India, Indonesia — work

On turbon.rent, choose by price ratio (for example, India is cheaper but SMS arrives slightly slower).

Step-by-step instructions: creating a Signal account

Via app (recommended)

Step 1: Download the Signal app (iOS from App Store or Android from Google Play).

Step 2: Open the app. Click "Create Account" or "Create Account".

Step 3: On turbon.rent, order a virtual number for Signal in the selected country.

Step 4: In Signal, select a country from the dropdown and enter the number (without country code).

Step 5: Click "Register" or "Register". Signal will send an SMS with a confirmation code.

Step 6: In the turbon.rent personal account on the number page, an incoming SMS with the code will appear within 10–30 seconds.

Step 7: Copy the code (usually 6 digits) and enter it in Signal.

Step 8: Signal will ask you to set a PIN code (optional, but recommended for security). PIN is needed to restore registration on a new device if you lose the number.

Step 9: Set a profile name (can be anything, doesn't have to be real, visible only to contacts).

Step 10: Upload a profile photo (or skip).

Step 11: Done! Account is created. Start adding contacts.

Via Desktop version (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Step 1: Download Signal for Desktop from signal.org.

Step 2: Open the app. Click "Link your phone".

This requires Signal to be installed on your phone. If not, install the app on iPhone/Android first, create an account there, then link Desktop (no need for a number again).

Case: launching a Signal group for a team or organization

Scenario: a company creates a private communication channel for a team (10 people) to discuss confidential projects. You need several "system" accounts for administration, notifications, message archive.

Infrastructure:

  • 5 Signal system accounts (for different purposes: administration, notifications, archive, testing, backup)
  • 5 virtual numbers (approximately $0.30 each, total $1.50)

Process:

  1. Day 1: creating 5 accounts on different numbers.
  2. Day 2: creating a group in Signal, adding team (10 real members + 5 system accounts).
  3. Day 3: setting privacy rules (who can send, who can see archive, etc.).
  4. Day 4+: team work (discussions, documents, video calls — all encrypted, visible only to members).

Benefits for the company:

  • Complete privacy (no one, including Signal, can read messages)
  • No tracking (Signal doesn't collect metadata about contacts like Telegram or WhatsApp)
  • Backup accounts (if the main admin loses access, others can manage the group)
  • Very cheap ($1.50 for infrastructure, everything else is free)

Signal vs other messengers

Signal vs Telegram

  • Encryption: Signal encrypts EVERYTHING by default, Telegram only "Secret Chats"
  • Metadata: Signal doesn't collect, Telegram collects and stores (IP addresses, send time, contacts)
  • Number: Signal requires, Telegram requires
  • Usability: Telegram is more convenient (bots, channels, documents), Signal is minimalist

Signal vs WhatsApp

  • Encryption: both end-to-end, roughly the same
  • Owner: Signal — non-profit, WhatsApp — Meta (Facebook)
  • Metadata: Signal doesn't collect, WhatsApp collects (contacts, IP)
  • Scale: WhatsApp 2 billion users, Signal 40+ million (but growing)

Nuances and risks

Risk 1: Losing the number = losing the account

Description: if the number expires on turbon.rent and you don't renew it, recovery will be difficult (requires the PIN code you set during registration).

Solution: always save your PIN code in a safe place (1Password, KeePass). If you lose a number, Signal will allow you to recover using PIN.

Risk 2: SMS doesn't arrive (very rare)

Probability: very low (Signal is very reliable).

Solution: order a new number on turbon.rent and try again.

Risk 3: No one to send the first message to

Description: Signal requires at least one contact for full use (or you need to know someone's number).

Solution: add an existing Signal number to contacts (your other account or a friend). Or just create a group, and contacts will be added when they join.

Alternatives

  • Telegram: requires number, but less private (collects metadata).
  • Wire: requires email, can create multiple accounts; less popular than Signal.
  • Briar: requires only internet (no number); completely private; more technically complex.
  • WhatsApp: requires number, less private (Meta collects data).

Conclusion

Signal is the ideal tool for private communication. A virtual number from turbon.rent works well with Signal, it's cheap and reliable. Signal doesn't require email, doesn't collect metadata, encrypts everything.

The main thing: save your PIN code when registering (use a Password Manager), keep the number active for at least 7 days, add contacts for using the app.

Signal is ideal for:

  • Private teams (startups, consultants, lawyers)
  • Confidential negotiations
  • Protection from surveillance (political activists, journalists)
  • Security testing (testing communication systems)

Start with one account, make sure it works, add contacts, then scale. Signal is not about mass — it's about quality and privacy.