Signal has announced new functionality in its upcoming beta releases, allowing users to transfer messages and media when linking their primary Signal device to a new desktop or iPad. This feature offers the choice to carry over chats and the last 45 days of media, or to start fresh with only new messages.
The transfer process is end-to-end encrypted, ensuring privacy. It involves creating a compressed, encrypted archive of your Signal data, which is then sent to the new device via Signal’s servers. Despite handling the transfer, the servers cannot access the message content due to the encryption.
With the introduction of a cross-platform archive format, Signal is also exploring additional tools for message transfer to new devices or restoration in case of device loss or damage. Users can begin testing this feature soon, with a wider rollout expected in the coming weeks.
Do they allow you to use it without a phone number yet?
You need a phone number to register but then you can create a username and choose to hide your number
Yes. For quite a while now.
Not when I created one a week or two ago. Still requested a phone number before moving to the next step.
Might be dependent on location?
Yeah looks like you still need a number to sign up for an account :(
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6829998083994-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames-Deeper-Dive
Ah, sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were asking if they had usernames that could be used in lieu of a phone number as a contact.