---
title: "Linking the Signal Mobile and Desktop Applications"
slug: "linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications"
updated: 2026-05-12T09:42:05Z
published: 2026-05-12T09:42:05Z
canonical: "docs.smarsh.com/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.smarsh.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Linking the Signal Mobile and Desktop Applications

> **Applicable to End Users**

You can link the CM for SGNL app on your mobile device to the Signal desktop application for MAC or PC.

> **Note**
> 
> - A linked Signal Desktop app automatically unlinks after *30 days of inactivity* and must be re-linked to the mobile app. If you continue messaging on the unlinked desktop app without re-linking it, message history is lost.
> - Signal does not support a web application.

To link Signal Capture mobile and desktop applications:

#### Install the Signal desktop application.

1. On your desktop browser, [download and install](https://signal.org/download/) the Signal desktop application. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-rrlabcos.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)
2. Open the application. If this is the first time that you have downloaded the app, you will see a QR code. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-9uifmg0w.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)

#### Link the Mobile and Desktop Apps

1. On your mobile phone:
  1. Open Signal Capture.
  2. Tap the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-pvb3jikz.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D) icon **> Settings > Linked Devices**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-mhdcwthb.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-yj876f9v.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-eh5ab5wi.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)
  3. Scan the QR code displayed on the desktop application. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-qh6mx9lp.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)
  4. Tap **Link Devices**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-kf7oynqj.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)
2. On your desktop application, enter a name for the device and click **Finish linking phone**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-tqyxbhib.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)

After your mobile and desktop apps are successfully linked, the desktop application is synchronized to your mobile app. Messages from both applications are archived.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/20248637-fef6-4111-82b6-c3bf43c0155e/Images/Documentation/linking-the-signal-mobile-and-desktop-applications-image-fwdrf0h3.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-10T16%3A44%3A29Z&se=2026-11-10T17%3A44%3A29Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=w4ToDgDQj5h%2F9sSjLwjXn2VIpyWqxUleGW9AFvKTCn0%3D)