Signal has launched a beta version of its desktop messaging client packaged as an AppImage, aiming to make the privacy-focused platform officially available on all Linux distributions, not just those based on Debian.
The move is designed to simplify installation and use across the diverse Linux ecosystem, and testers are invited to try it out and provide feedback.
The beta release was announced by Signal staff member Ayumi on the platform's community forums earlier today.
Signal is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted messaging platform known for its strong privacy guarantees. Maintained by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, it has grown in popularity among journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users, offering features such as disappearing messages, encrypted voice and video calls, and minimal data retention. Its Linux client is particularly valued in communities that prioritize software transparency and open standards.
The official Signal Desktop app is only available through .deb packages, effectively limiting support to Debian-based systems like Ubuntu and Linux Mint. The AppImage format, by contrast, is a universal software packaging method that allows applications to run on most Linux distributions without installation or root permissions.
How to test Signal's AppImage
Linux users interested in testing the AppImage beta can do so by downloading the file from Signal's official update server, verifying its GPG signature, and launching it manually.
This beta AppImage is currently available for x86_64 architectures only and operates with a new data directory (~/.config/Signal Beta AppImage/). As a result, it can be run alongside the existing .deb-based Signal Desktop client without data conflicts. Signal recommends treating the AppImage as a new installation, linking it fresh to a mobile device rather than attempting to migrate existing data.
To ensure secure distribution, Signal signs its AppImage binaries with GPG. Users are advised to verify the authenticity of the downloaded file by importing the public key and checking the signature before execution. Once verified, the AppImage can be made executable with standard file permissions and launched directly. Optional steps include creating a .desktop file for integration with the system launcher.
Some distributions, such as Ubuntu 24.04, require additional configuration due to AppArmor restrictions and missing FUSE 2 support. Signal provides explicit instructions for installing libfuse2t64 and adding an AppArmor profile to grant necessary permissions. Similarly, users on Debian systems will need to install the same FUSE library.
Community response
Linux users in the Signal community welcomed the news and reported successful testing on Fedora 43, Debian, and other distributions.
However, others expressed concern over Signal's continued lack of an official Flatpak package, which is increasingly viewed as the de facto standard for universal Linux app distribution. According to Flathub statistics, nearly 1.5 million users already run an unofficial Signal Flatpak package, and many in the community consider official support for Flathub long overdue. This has created confusion among less technical family members who were unsure if the “unofficial” tag implied a lack of safety or trustworthiness.
Security-conscious users also pointed out that downloading both the AppImage and its GPG key from the same Signal-hosted domain reduces the value of the signature verification. They recommended hosting the signing key on a separate, independently verifiable platform such as GitHub.
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