How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (2024)

How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (1)

Your eligible messages and their attachments, such as photos and videos, will be end-to-end encrypted. End-to-end encryption is a security method that keeps your communications secure. With end-to-end encryption, no one, including Google and third parties, can read eligible messages as they travel between your phone and the phone that you message.

To use end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, you and the person or group that you message must both:

  • Use the Google Messages app.
  • Have RCS chats turned on.
  • Use data or Wi-Fi for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages.

Tips:

  • Text messages are dark blue in the RCS state and light blue in the SMS/MMS state.
  • End-to-end encryption is automatic in eligible conversations.
  • You’ll get a banner that says 'How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (2)Chatting with [contact name or phone number]' when end-to-end encryption is active in a conversation. Your messages willalso include a lock How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (3)on the send button. The timestamps of end-to-end encrypted messages also have a lock How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (4).

Important: End-to-end encryption isn't available for SMS/MMS messages.

How end-to-end encryption works

When you use the Google Messages app to send end-to-end encrypted messages, all chats, including their text and any files or media, are encrypted as the data travels between devices. Encryption converts data into scrambled text. The unreadable text can only be decoded with a secret key.

The secret key is a number that’s:

  • Created on your device and the device that you message. It exists only on these two devices.
  • Not shared with Google, anyone else or other devices.
  • Generated again for each message.
  • Deleted from the sender's device when the encrypted message is created and deleted from the receiver's device when the message is decrypted.

The Google Messages delivery server, and any person or third party who might gain access to data for messages and content sent between devices, won't be able to read end-to-end encrypted messages because they don't have the key.

Each end-to-end encrypted conversation has a unique verification code. This code must be the same for you and your contact to verify that your messages are end-to-end encrypted.

Tip: As an added measure, you can make sure that you and your contact have the same verification code.

You can learn more in the Google Messages end-to-end encryption technical paper.

How to tell when end-to-end encryption is on

If you have a lock How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (5)on the send button when you compose a message and next to the message's timestamp, end-to-end encryption is used.

How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (6)

If you or your contact lose RCS chats, end-to-end encryption is no longer possible for messages that you send or receive. If that happens, you won't have a lockHow end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (7) next to the timestamp of the conversation's latest message or on the send button when you compose a message.

Learn how to control the way that messages are sent when end-to-end encryption isn't available.

You’re in control

Conversations default to end-to-end encryption

Once a conversation becomes end-to-end encrypted, it won’t revert to SMS messages unless you or your contact lose or disable RCS, or switch to a new phone or operating system. End-to-end encrypted messages can only be delivered over data or Wi-Fi. If you or the person you’re messaging lose data or Wi-Fi, you’ll also lose RCS.

You can send an SMS instead or wait until you or the person who you’re messaging gets RCS again.

Note: SMS/MMS messages are not end-to-end encrypted.

Use smart features with end-to-end encryption

End-to-end encryption is automatic in eligible conversations, so Google Messages won't disable other features that help with your message experience, like Google Assistant suggestions, spam detection and automatic previews.

Note: Automatic previews and link previews work with end-to-end encrypted messages, but your privacy is protected by decoupling the previewed content from user identifiers like your name or phone number. You can change your Google Messages settings and notifications.

Manage message storage and access

With your permission, some Google and third-party apps can access your messages to provide seamless companion experiences like when you restore your messages to a new phone or app, or when you send message notifications to your home device, smartwatch or car.

When end-to-end encrypted messages are received on your phone, they’re also included in Android backup and accessible to apps you’ve granted SMS or notifications permissions to. You can manage which apps can access your messages.

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How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security (2024)

FAQs

How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security? ›

When you message someone who also has RCS

RCS
Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats provide an upgraded, rich messaging experience. RCS chats: Show you when someone is typing. Offer read receipts, which show when someone has read or received your message. Read receipts also show your contact when you read their message.
https://support.google.com › messages › answer
chats turned on in Google 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.

How end-to-end encryption in messages provides more security? ›

This means that when sending texts between two Android devices, including in group chats, outside actors won't be able to view or monitor your messages. Encrypted messaging is already the default on services like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Apple's iMessage.

How secure are Google Messages? ›

Also: How to enable read receipts for texts on Android

Now, all Google Messages will have an extra layer of privacy because end-to-end encryption prevents third parties from accessing your messages, ensuring that the only person who views your message is the intended recipient(s).

How safe is end-to-end encryption? ›

Since the server cannot access the decryption keys, it can never decrypt the data which means that criminals and nosy third parties cannot see the data either. Therefore, it offers individuals and businesses a powerful way to exchange information and store sensitive data without sacrificing privacy or security.

Why would someone turn on end-to-end encryption? ›

This means that nobody, including Meta, can see what's sent or said, unless you choose to report a message to us. End-to-end encryption gives people more secure chats in Messenger.

Is end-to-end encryption hackable? ›

The end-to-end encryption paradigm does not directly address risks at the communications endpoints themselves. Each user's computer can still be hacked to steal their cryptographic key (to create a MITM attack) or simply read the recipients' decrypted messages both in real time and from log files.

Who can see end-to-end encrypted messages? ›

With end-to-end encryption, no one can read the content sent between you and the other person.

Does Google Messages use end-to-end encryption? ›

How end-to-end encryption works. When you use the Google Messages app to send end-to-end encrypted messages, all chats, including their text and any files or media, are encrypted as the data travels between devices. Encryption converts data into scrambled text. The unreadable text can only be decoded with a secret key.

Can anyone see my Google chat messages? ›

The content you share in Chat is private to you and those you chat with.

What is the advantage of Google Messages? ›

Google Messages has become the default app for text messaging on Android . Despite being intended to work primarily for SMS-based messaging, the app also facilitates sharing multimedia through a modern protocol called RCS, similar to Apple's iMessage. Alongside text messages, RCS allows you to send media in real time.

Is end-to-end encryption 100% safe? ›

There is no 100% security. Nothing where "if you do X" then you are safe from all possible harm. Security controls exist to counter threats. E2E encryption is not designed to counter threats on the device itself...

Should we turn on end-to-end encryption? ›

This makes sure that only you and the person you're talking to can read or listen to them. With end-to-end encrypted backup, you can add that same layer of protection to your iCloud and Google Account backups.

Does end-to-end encryption delete messages? ›

In FB Messenger Secret (E2EE) Conversations, original messages are removed in quoted text after a message is deleted or disappears. However, the message does stay past its auto-delete timer if neither user types or leaves the chat.

Why would someone use encrypted messaging? ›

Encrypted text messaging is a method of secure communication that converts your messages into code. This means that only the recipient with the correct decryption key can read it. It's a way to keep your conversations private from prying eyes, whether they're hackers, advertisers, or even government agencies.

Why is using an encrypted messaging platform more secure? ›

Encryption converts data into scrambled text. The unreadable text can only be decoded with a secret key. The secret key is a number that's: Created on your device and the device you message.

How encrypting messages helps to prevent? ›

Encryption is used to protect data from being stolen, changed, or compromised and works by scrambling data into a secret code that can only be unlocked with a unique digital key.

How does end-to-end encryption work and why is it a safe method for security and privacy? ›

In the case of end-to-end encryption, encrypted data is only viewable by those with decryption keys. In other words, E2EE prevents unintended users, including third parties, from reading or modifying data when only the intended readers should have this access and ability.

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