μthosch

As an Apple user, I prefer using iMessage for instant messaging because it’s better integrated into the system. Signal is my go-to for cross-platform communication.

I occasionally use a Google Pixel alongside my iPhone. My goal was to use the same Signal account simultaneously on both devices. This isn’t normally possible since only the most recently activated phone remains active. While the official Signal apps allow linked devices like iPads¹ and desktop clients to one smartphone, connecting additional smartphones isn’t supported.

This is where Molly comes in. Molly is an enhanced, security-focused fork of Signal for Android. For me, it’s less about the security features or the Google-free FOSS version: the key feature is Molly’s ability to link smartphones as linked devices to a Signal account.

To use both an iPhone and an Android smartphone simultaneously with Signal, follow these steps:

1. The iPhone must be set up as the primary device through the standard Signal setup process.
2. Launch the Molly app on the Android smartphone.
3. During setup, do not use the transfer or account restore function.
4. On the screen for entering or confirming your phone number, select Link to existing device.
5. Follow the remaining instructions.

Now I run the original Signal iOS client on my iPhone and the Molly app on my Pixel.