But how is the app supposed to search for contacts on the app without access? I don't see contact access as unreasonable for a messaging application.
So does Signal IIRC.
Exactly.
I don't know what this is, and I don't care but you could have just said no.
You don't know what a contact list is? The phonebook you create as people call & text you that is contained on your phone and shows you the name you typed into your device when that particular person calls or texts you?
I don't give Signal access to my contacts, I'll copy and paste a phone # when I want to start new chats.