Setting Up a Virtual Signal Device using Corellium

This can be helpful if you need to use Signal, but do not wish to share your primary phone number or use your primary device.

Prerequisites to follow along with this tutorial:

• You have an Android device created. If you haven't yet, check out our Quickstart for Android article.

• You must have OpenGApps installed on that Android device. Check out Installing Apps with OpenGApps for instructions.

Note: OpenGApps is available for all firmware versions from Android 7 through Android 12.

Data Privacy​

Before you get started, we suggest you read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

The short version is that we do not collect any information from inside virtual devices. When a virtual device is deleted, all device data is immediately erased. Device metadata, such as the name of the device and the OS version, is stored in backups, which are regularly deleted every 90 days.

Step 1: Download Signal for Android​

To install the Signal messaging app without signing in to the Google Play Store, use your own browser and:

1. Navigate to https://signal.org/android/apk/
2. Click Download and note where you save the file.

Step 2: Install Signal on Your Android Device​

1. Click on Apps in the menu to the right of your virtual device, then Install. apps page
2. Select the Signal file you downloaded, then click Open.
3. Click on the Android device and move your mouse upwards to get to the main menu. You can then search for the Signal app and open it.

Step 3: Set Up Your Signal Profile​

You’re free to set up your Signal profile in whatever way works for you. Here’s one example:

1. Launch Signal and click Continue to create a new profile.
2. Click Continue to allow Signal to access the contacts.
3. Click Allow to confirm this one more time.
4. Click Allow allowing Signal to make and manage phone calls.
5. Enter your phone number to get started (e.g. a Google Voice number).
6. Click OK to confirm the phone number.
7. Enter the verification code using the virtual keypad.
8. Set up your profile with a first name (required), last name (optional), and photo (optional).
9. Create a PIN with at least 4 digits, click “Next,” confirm the PIN, and “Next” again.

You’re all set! You can now send and receive Signal messages, just like you would on your physical device. You can pause and restart your virtual Android device as needed.

Note: if you skipped Step 2, Android and Signal may display messages saying your device is missing Google Play Services. You may also be presented with a CAPTCHA to confirm that you are a human.

Once you set up your Signal profile, you can check if sending and receiving messages works as expected.

To test receiving messages, send a Signal message from a physical device to the phone number you registered with. In this example, the external account is “Maria Fox” and the Signal account registered on the Corellium device is “Azeria.”

To test sending messages, reply to the message you received on your Corellium device. In this example, the “Azeria” account on the left is sending a message to “Maria Fox.”

Works like a charm! You are ready to go.

Step 4: Delete Your Signal profile​

To delete your Signal account, profile photo, and all your messages, follow the steps below.

1. Launch Signal and click on your icon in the top left corner.
2. Select “Account” and “Delete account.”
3. Select your country and enter your phone number.
4. Click “Delete account” and then once more to confirm.

Step 5: Delete Your Android device​

1. To delete your Android device, click on the trash can icon in the top right corner of the page, then click "Delete" to confirm in the modal.

When a virtual device is deleted, all device data is immediately erased. Device metadata, such as the name of the device and the OS version, is stored in backups, which are regularly deleted every 90 days.

Discover how Corellium's virtualization platform can revolutionize your approach, especially when working with signal devices. Book a meeting today and explore tailored solutions for your unique challenges.