Multiple Accounts on Signal Desktop: Is it Possible?

Many users want to use multiple accounts with Signal Desktop, and this might not be as easy as you think, but in this guide, we’re going to show you a few ways to do it.

How can I use multiple accounts on Signal Desktop?

1. Install the beta version

1. Go to the Signal beta page.
2. Download the Windows version and install it.
   
3. Once you install it, connect the other account with the Signal Desktop Beta.

Beta and Standard versions are completely separate on your PC, so you can use them with two accounts with ease.

2. Create a new Signal profile folder and use the –user-data-dir parameter

1. Press Windows key + R and enter %appdata%.
   
2. Locate the Signal folder, but don’t open it.
3. Create a new folder that you want to use for Signal, and name it Signal1 for example.

After that, we need to change the Signal shortcut by doing the following:

1. Create a copy of your Signal shortcut.
2. Right-click the copy and choose Properties.
   
3. In the Target field add the following after the quotes: --user-data-dir=" C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Signal1"
   
4. Remember that you need to change so it matches your actual username on the PC.
5. Click Apply and OK.
6. Run the new shortcut and you’ll be asked to set up a new account.

This isn’t the only Signal Desktop command line option, and we have a whole article dedicated to them, so you might want to check it out.

Can I use two accounts on Signal?

You can have just one account registered to a phone number, so if you want two or more accounts, you’ll need two or more SIM cards.

As you can see, it’s not possible to natively use multiple accounts on Signal Desktop but you can use these workarounds to achieve the desired results.

If nothing else works, you can create a new Windows 11 profile and install Signal there, or you can run a virtual machine with Signal on it in the background as a last resort.

This isn’t the only option that is missing, and many have been asking for the ability to change the phone number on Signal Desktop as well as the option to export messages on Signal Desktop.

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.