Keep your phone number private with Signal usernames

Signal is rolling out three features that make users' phone numbers more private: a new default that hides the number from people who don't have it saved in their contacts, an optional setting that stops others from finding an account by phone number, and optional usernames for starting conversations without sharing a number. The features are in beta and are expected to reach everyone in the coming weeks, and both parties need the latest app version to use them. Signal says all of these options are optional, and users still need a phone number to sign up. Usernames must be unique and end in two or more numbers, and Signal does not provide a searchable directory of them.