Add a single contact is critical missing feature

[rlaferla]

• I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates

Bug Description

A critical missing feature is the ability to add a single contact by email/phone instead of importing all contacts. I frequently here other people complain about this.

Steps to Reproduce

NA

Actual Result:

NA

Expected Result:

Screenshots

NA

Platform Info

Signal Version:

Operating System:

macOS Big Sur (but likely applies to any and all)

Linked Device Version:

macOS 11.0.1

Link to Debug Log

NA

[Genis-Sage]

hey @rlaferla
Signal does not know anything about email-adresses, and will probably never do

if you want to start a new conversation from desktop:
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007060212-Send-a-message#desktop_send_message
simply enter the phone number of the person you want to contact and click on new conversation

(with that it would be a duplcate of #4660 )

Or am I misinterpreting your request?

[rlaferla]

In Signal for macOS, I see a list of Signal contacts, above it a search field, and to the right a "Welcome to Signal" view that says "Select a contact or group to start chatting." There is no way to add a new contact. The menus have nothing either. Perhaps, doing a search on a phone number starts a new conversation and then you can add them? If so, that is horrendously bad UI/UX. There needs to be a way to manage your contacts inside Signal desktop.

[nobodyinperson]

Due to other reasons (3rd-party client and me messing up my registration) my contact list on Signal Desktop is completely empty, rendering the desktop app useless as no contact can be added manually. Adding a contact by phone number would make the Signal Desktop app useable.

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

To add a contact, enter their phone number in the top-left search box. You should be presented with that contact if Desktop already knows about them, or the option to start a new conversation.

[nobodyinperson]

Right, but there are no contacts nor chats at all. A possibility to **add** contacts from the desktop app is needed.

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

@nobodyinperson The search box not only searches - it also allows you to start a new conversation.

[nobodyinperson]

I see. If you type in a full number it indeed suggests starting a new conversation. I must have missed that somehow. Thanks for the hint 👍

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[stale]

This issue has been closed due to inactivity.

[rlaferla]

Typing in a person's # in a search field is non-intuitive UI/UX. Moreover, it doesn't work on the desktop app. Only on the mobile app (iOS), does it also ask if you want to invite them via SMS. Furthermore, you should be able to enter an email address and have it send an email invitation -- where the user can then enter their phone #.