How to Send an Encrypted Email on Android

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 4, 2018 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to encrypt your email messages with a unique message password, using the ProtonMail app on Android. ProtonMail is a free, encrypted email service with over 2 million users. You can download it from the Play Store.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Setting Up ProtonMail

1
Download and install the ProtonMail app on your Android. ProtonMail is free, third-party email service that allows you to send encrypted emails.
- Tap the
  icon to open the Play Store.
- Search "ProtonMail" in the search bar at the top.
- Tap the green INSTALL button next to the ProtonMail app.
- Tap ACCEPT to begin the installation.
2
Open the ProtonMail app on your Android. The ProtonMail icon looks like a white lock icon in a blue box. You can find it on your Apps menu.

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3
Tap the Create Account button. This is a white button on the app's welcome page.
- If you already have an account, tap the Sign in button to open the login form.
4
Tap the + icon next to the FREE account option. This will expand a list of all the features you get with the free account.
- If you want to purchase one of the paid memberships, you can find a list of all the premium features you receive with the PLUS and the VISIONARY accounts here.
5
Tap the SELECT button below the FREE option. This will open the sign-up form, and prompt you to create your new email address.
6
Enter a username for your new account. Tap the Username field, and type in the username you want to use.
- The username is also the first part of your email address before the "@" sign.
7
Select an email server. You can select between "@protonmail.com" and "@protonmail.ch".
- Tap the @protonmail.com field.
- Select the server you want to use.
8
Tap the Create Account button. This is a purple button at the bottom of the page. It will confirm your email address, and allow you to create a password.
9
Create a secure account password for your email. Your password is used to encrypt and decrypt your email messages, and allow you to login to your mailbox.
- Enter your password into the Password field.
- Re-enter the same password into the Confirm Password field.
10
Tap the Set Password button. This is a purple button at the bottom of the page. It will confirm and save your new account password.
11
Select a security level for your email encryption. You can select between "High Security (2048 bit)" and "Extreme Security (4096 bit)."
- Check the box next to High Security or Extreme Security.
- Tap Continue.
12
Select a verification method. You will have to verify you're a human and not a malicious bot by completing a captcha task, or verifying a security code with another email address or a phone number.
- Tap CAPTCHA, Email Verification or Phone Verification.
- Complete the captcha task, or enter an email or phone to receive a verification code and enter your code.
- Tap Continue.
13
Tap the Go to my inbox button. You'll see the "Congratulations" page when your new email account is set up and ready to use. This will redirect you to your mailbox.
- Optionally, you can create a Display Name or save a recovery email address here.
14
Tap the CLOSE TOUR X button on the top-right. This will close the welcome pop-up, and open your mailbox.
- If you want to read more about ProtonMail's tools and features, you can swipe left on the welcome pop-up and go through the list.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Sending an Email

1
Tap the
icon on the top-right. It's in the upper-right corner of your screen. This button will open a new, blank email message for you to fill out and send.
2
Write your email message. Finish up your email before encrypting your message.
- Tap the To field, and enter your contact's email address.
- Write your message into the email's body field.
- Optionally, enter a subject line above the message.
3
Tap the lock icon above your email message. This button is located in the upper-left corner of your email's body field. It will encrypt your email message with a password.
4
Set a password to encrypt your email. Your contact will have to use this message password in order to open and read your encrypted email.
- Enter a password into the Message Password field.
- Re-enter the same password into the Confirm Password field.
- Optionally, enter a password hint into the bottom field.
5
Tap the APPLY button. This will save your message password for this email, and encrypt your message.
- Make sure to let your contact know what the message password is. Otherwise, they won't be able to decrypt and read your message.
6
Tap the
icon. This button is in the upper-right corner of your screen. It will send your encrypted email message to your contact.

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