Frequently asked questions
A short, honest list. If your question is not here, the docs page has a longer answer.
What is Signal?
Signal is a temporary, nearby-intent radar. You choose a short intent, stay visible for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and see what other people nearby are open to — without sharing your exact location.
Is Signal a dating app?
No. Signal is not a dating app. There is no profile, no match queue, no swipe, no inbox. It is a temporary radar for nearby intent.
Does Signal show my exact location?
No. Distance is rounded to whole metres. Direction is quantized to a coarse sector. Exact coordinates never leave the device.
How long am I visible?
15, 30, or 60 minutes. You pick when you start. You can end the session early at any time.
Can I use Signal without being visible?
No. Your own active session is required to see other participants. There is no "view only" mode and no lurking.
Is Signal a chat app?
No. Signal has no chat, no inbox, and no threads. If you want to talk to someone you see on the radar, you do it in person or through a channel you already trust.
What is an intent?
An intent is a short, plain-text sentence of what you would be open to doing in the next little while. It is not a profile. It disappears when the session ends.
What does the radar show?
The radar shows the active participants in your current cell, with whole-meter distance and a quantized direction. It is not a map. It does not show streets, addresses, or pins on a real geography.
Can I turn visibility off?
Yes. You can stop the session at any time, and the session also ends automatically when the timer runs out. There is no way to be visible after the timer ends.
Is Signal an emergency service?
No. Signal is not an emergency service and not a personal safety tool. Do not use it to request urgent assistance. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.