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Signal uses passwordless authentication to keep your account secure. There are no passwords to remember, reset, or share. Instead, you log in using a passkey on your device or a one-time code sent to your email.

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Authentication methods

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Passkeys (primary)

Passkeys are the recommended way to log in. They use a technology called WebAuthn to verify your identity through your device’s built-in security — such as a fingerprint sensor, facial recognition, or device PIN. When you log in with a passkey, your device proves who you are without sending a password over the internet. This makes passkeys both more convenient and more secure than traditional passwords.
Passkeys work on most modern devices including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. They are supported in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.

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Email OTP (fallback)

If you cannot use a passkey — for example, on a shared computer or a device without biometric support — you can log in with a one-time code sent to your registered email address. The code is valid for a short time and can only be used once.

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First-time login

1
Open Signal
2
Navigate to your school’s Signal URL in your web browser.
3
Enter your email address
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Type the email address your school administrator registered you with and click Continue.
5
Set up your passkey
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Signal will prompt you to create a passkey on your device. Follow your browser’s instructions to register your fingerprint, face, or device PIN.
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You’re in
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Once your passkey is registered, you are logged in and taken to your dashboard. Future logins will only require a quick biometric scan or PIN entry.
If your device does not support passkeys, Signal will automatically send a one-time code to your email instead. Enter the code to complete your login.

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Logging in with a passkey

1
Open Signal
2
Navigate to your school’s Signal URL.
3
Enter your email address
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Type your registered email and click Continue.
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Authenticate with your device
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Your browser will prompt you to verify your identity using your registered passkey — typically a fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN. Confirm to log in.

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Logging in with an email code

1
Open Signal
2
Navigate to your school’s Signal URL.
3
Enter your email address
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Type your registered email and click Continue.
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Choose email code
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If a passkey is not available, select the option to receive a one-time code by email.
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Enter the code
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Check your inbox for an email from Signal containing a six-digit code. Enter the code on the login screen to complete your login.

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Managing passkeys

You can register passkeys on multiple devices so you can log in from your laptop, tablet, and phone.

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Adding a new device

1
Log in on your new device
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Open Signal on the device you want to add and log in using an email one-time code.
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Register a passkey
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Once logged in, Signal will prompt you to set up a passkey on this device. Follow the browser’s instructions to register.
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Done
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Your new device is now registered. You can use it to log in with a quick biometric scan or PIN in future.
If you use a password manager that supports passkeys (such as 1Password or iCloud Keychain), your passkey may sync automatically across your devices.

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Troubleshooting

  • Make sure you are using the same browser you registered your passkey with.
  • Check that your device’s biometric sensor (fingerprint reader or camera) is working correctly.
  • Try restarting your browser and attempting to log in again.
  • If the problem persists, log in using an email one-time code and re-register your passkey.
  • Check your spam or junk folder.
  • Make sure you are entering the same email address your school registered you with.
  • One-time codes expire after a few minutes. If yours has expired, request a new one.
  • Contact your school’s DSL or Signal administrator if the problem continues.
  • Signal works in your mobile browser — there is no separate app to install.
  • Passkeys on mobile devices typically use your phone’s face recognition or fingerprint sensor.
  • If you are switching from a computer to a phone for the first time, log in with an email code and then register a passkey on your phone.
  • Use the email one-time code option to log in on your new device.
  • Once logged in, you can register a new passkey for that device.
  • Your old device’s passkey will continue to work unless you remove it.
  • You can manage your own passkeys directly from your account settings. Open your account settings to view all registered passkeys, where you can delete or rename them as needed.