May 28, 2023
How do use encrypted
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When you message someone who also has RCS chats turned on in Messages, your chat conversations automatically upgrade to end-to-end encryption. With end-to-end encryption, no one can read the content sent between you and the other person.
Check if a conversation is end-to-end encrypted End-to-end encrypted conversations have:
- A banner that says “
Chatting with [contact name or phone number].”
- A lock
next to message timestamps.
- A lock
on the send button when you compose a message.
If messages don’t have locks, make sure you and the person you message both have:
- If your device came with the Carrier Services app installed, update to the latest version of the app.
Your conversations are encrypted end-to-end with a key that only you and other conversation participants can access. When you ask them if they have the same code you have, you can verify end-to-end encryption for your individual and group conversations.
To verify end-to-end encryption for individual conversations:
- Open the Messages app .
- Open a conversation or create a new message with a contact you want to verify.
- In the conversation, all participants must have RCS chats turned on. If RCS chats are turned off, end-to-end encryption can’t be verified.
- At the top right of the conversation window, tap More
Details
Verify encryption.
To verify end-to-end encryption for group conversations:
- Open the Messages app .
- Open a group conversation you want to use.
- In the conversation, all participants must have RCS chats turned on. If RCS chats are turned off, end-to-end encryption can’t be verified.
- At the top right of the conversation window, tap More
Group details.
- Select a conversation participant you want to verify.
- Tap More
Verify encryption.
Tips:
- You can call your contact and read your verification code aloud to make sure your codes match.
- It's optional to confirm a verification code. Messages will be end-to-end encrypted even if you don’t take this step.
Important:
- End-to-end encryption may not work on certain Android Go phones.
- End-to-end encrypted messages only work when you communicate with another Messages user. If you or your contact change messaging apps or operating software, Messages may not immediately detect when a conversation is no longer eligible for end-to-end encryption. Initially, some messages may not appear or they may be delivered in an unreadable, encrypted format.
If you get an unreadable, encrypted message:
- If your device came with the Carrier Services app installed, update to the latest version of the app.
- Ask your contact to resend the message.
If you changed messaging apps and aren't receiving messages, you may need to turn RCS chats off.
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