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Signal works on iPadOS 15 or later. For most people, the right setup is to link the iPad to Signal on their primary phone: it uses the same account and can optionally sync chats and recent media. Registering the iPad separately is a different setup that needs access to the phone number’s verification SMS or call. A linked iPad is an additional device, not a replacement for the primary phone.
Can you use Signal on an iPad?
Yes. Signal’s installation guidance and Apple’s App Store listing specify iPadOS 15 or later. Check the iPad’s installed version in Settings > General > About, and confirm the current requirement on the App Store listing before installing.
There are two setup paths: link the iPad to the Signal account already on your primary phone, or register the iPad separately using a phone number that can receive a verification code. Choose based on whether you want to use the existing account or establish a separate registration.
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Choose between linking and separate registration
| Setup choice | What it does | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Link the iPad | Adds it to your existing Signal account as a linked device; chat synchronization is offered during setup. | Access to your primary phone to scan the iPad’s QR code. |
| Register separately | Sets up Signal on the iPad as a separate device registration rather than linking it to the phone’s account. | Ability to receive an SMS or phone call at the number used for registration. |
Signal’s installation instructions cover both routes. The registration choice matters: a separately registered iPad is not simply another screen for the account on your phone.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
How to link an iPad to your phone
- Install Signal from the App Store and open it on the iPad.
- Choose Continue, then Add as New Device. Signal displays a QR code on the iPad.
- On your primary phone, open Signal and go to Settings > Linked devices > Link a new device.
- Authorize the action using the phone’s device-unlock method, then scan the QR code shown on the iPad.
- Choose whether to synchronize chats and available recent media, then finish the linking flow.
- Send a message from the iPad to confirm it is working.
These are the steps in Signal’s Linked Devices instructions. The iPad displays its QR code; no separate QR accessory is needed.
What happens to messages and media?
Linking does not guarantee that every old message or attachment will appear on the iPad. Signal’s installation guidance describes chat history as not transferred, while its linked-device instructions offer an optional sync of chats and the last 45 days of media. Treat that as an available synchronization option, not a promise of a complete archive transfer.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
If you need a particular conversation or attachment, check whether it appears on the iPad after setup rather than assuming it was copied. The setup choice is made during linking, so review the prompt before proceeding.
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- Device limit: Signal allows up to five linked devices on an account.
- Primary-phone connection: The primary phone must come online at least once every 30 days or linked devices become unlinked.
- Linked-device inactivity: A linked device becomes unlinked after 45 days of inactivity.
- Review linked devices: Use Settings > Linked devices on the primary phone to review the devices associated with the account.
Signal Support states that “All Signal communication on linked devices is private, just like your smartphone.” See its Linked Devices page for the current account-maintenance details.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Why can’t you link your iPad?
If the QR code will not scan, first adjust the distance between the iPad and the phone, then increase the iPad display brightness. If linking still fails, work through Signal’s recommended checks:
- Update Signal on the phone.
- Confirm the Signal account on the phone is registered and working.
- Check whether the account has already reached the five-linked-device limit; remove an unneeded linked device from the phone if necessary.
- If a VPN or firewall is involved, check that it allows
*.signal.organd TCP port443. Signal notes that its underlying IP addresses change, so allowing a fixed list of IP addresses may not work.
Signal’s multiple-device troubleshooting guide provides these checks for failed linking.
Rank #4
- Smart Connector. 3.5 mm headphone jack. Stereo speakers. On/Off - Sleep/Wake. Home/Touch ID sensor. Dual microphones. Volume up/down. Nano-SIM tray (cellular models). Lightning connector
- A10 Fusion chip.
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor,
- 8MP back camera, 1. 2MP FaceTime HD front camera.
- Stereo speakers.
Using Signal on the iPad after setup
Once linked, open Signal on the iPad and send a test message to confirm the connection. The iPad is an additional linked device on the account; keep the primary phone available for account maintenance, including the required periodic connection. Signal’s 2019 iPad announcement described a landscape inbox and conversation view, but current installation and account rules are best checked in its support guidance.
