Apple Mail: encrypt emails - how it works

This article shows you how to encrypt your emails at Apple Mail and make your mailbox more secure.

Encrypt emails in Apple Mail - that's what you have to do

You need additional software to encrypt your emails:

1. First download the "GPG Suite" software from the manufacturer's website and install the tool.
2. If you have successfully installed the software, you have to create a so-called key pair to send encrypted emails. You create the key pair with the "GPG Keychain" program, which is included in the GPG Suite.
3. Click the "New" button in the GPG keychain. Then enter your name and the corresponding email address and click the box next to "Upload key after generation". This will upload your key to the key server.
4. After clicking on "Create key", you will be asked to make certain entries on the keyboard or to move the mouse to generate enough random values ​​for the key.
5. The next step is to enter a personal passphrase. This should have as many different words as possible and, unlike the normal password, may also contain spaces. Note: This passphrase cannot be changed - so make sure to remember or write it down!
6. To compose an encrypted message, start Apple Mail as usual. GPG Mail is automatically integrated so that you can start composing the mail. If the recipient is on the key server, you do not need to do anything else. If this is not the case, you have to import the recipient's key into the GPG keychain.

• Note: File attachments are automatically encrypted. If you have received an encrypted email, you must enter your passphrase before you can read the email. All emails are encrypted using the "Pretty Good Protection (PGP)" procedure.

Tip: Be sure to encrypt your emails on your smartphone!