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

# Logging In & Authentication

> Learn how to log in to Signal using passkeys or email one-time codes, set up your devices, and troubleshoot common authentication issues.

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.

## Authentication methods

### 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.

<Tip>
  Passkeys work on most modern devices including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. They are supported in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.
</Tip>

### 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.

## First-time login

<Steps>
  ### Open Signal

  Navigate to your school's Signal URL in your web browser.

  ### Enter your email address

  Type the email address your school administrator registered you with and click **Continue**.

  ### Set up your passkey

  Signal will prompt you to create a passkey on your device. Follow your browser's instructions to register your fingerprint, face, or device PIN.

  ### You're in

  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.
</Steps>

<Info>
  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.
</Info>

## Logging in with a passkey

<Steps>
  ### Open Signal

  Navigate to your school's Signal URL.

  ### Enter your email address

  Type your registered email and click **Continue**.

  ### Authenticate with your device

  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.
</Steps>

## Logging in with an email code

<Steps>
  ### Open Signal

  Navigate to your school's Signal URL.

  ### Enter your email address

  Type your registered email and click **Continue**.

  ### Choose email code

  If a passkey is not available, select the option to receive a one-time code by email.

  ### Enter the code

  Check your inbox for an email from Signal containing a six-digit code. Enter the code on the login screen to complete your login.
</Steps>

## Managing passkeys

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

### Adding a new device

<Steps>
  ### Log in on your new device

  Open Signal on the device you want to add and log in using an email one-time code.

  ### Register a passkey

  Once logged in, Signal will prompt you to set up a passkey on this device. Follow the browser's instructions to register.

  ### Done

  Your new device is now registered. You can use it to log in with a quick biometric scan or PIN in future.
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If you use a password manager that supports passkeys (such as 1Password or iCloud Keychain), your passkey may sync automatically across your devices.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion title="My passkey is not working">
  * 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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="I did not receive my one-time code">
  * 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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="I am using a mobile device">
  * 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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="I have a new device and cannot log in">
  * 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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="I need to remove or rename a passkey">
  * 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.
</Accordion>