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flowcrypt [2026.01.07 14:11] – [Quick Troubleshooting] Steve Isenbergflowcrypt [2026.01.07 14:15] (current) – [Recommendation] Steve Isenberg
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  • Use PGP public keys for regular, privacy-critical communication  • Use PGP public keys for regular, privacy-critical communication
  • Use password-encrypted messages only when PGP is not feasible  • Use password-encrypted messages only when PGP is not feasible
 +
 +
 +This is a known and intentional behavior in FlowCrypt, not something you’re doing wrong.
 +
 +Short answer:
 +👉 On iOS (iPad/iPhone), FlowCrypt does NOT support password-encrypted (“shared key”) messages.
 +That’s why you only see “Send unencrypted” or “Cancel.”
 +
 +Below is a DokuWiki-formatted explanation you can paste into your wiki.
 +
 +
 +
 +====== Why FlowCrypt on iPad Does Not Offer “Shared Key” Messages ======
 +
 +When composing an email in FlowCrypt on iPad, you may only see:
 + • Send unencrypted
 + • Cancel
 +
 +and no option to send a password-encrypted (shared secret) message.
 +
 +This is by design.
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Platform Limitation (Important) =====
 +
 +FlowCrypt features differ by platform:
 +
 +^ Platform ^ PGP (Public Key) ^ Password / Shared Key ^
 +| Chrome extension (desktop) | Yes | Yes |
 +| Web app (desktop) | Yes | Yes |
 +| Android | Yes | Limited |
 +| iOS (iPad / iPhone) | Yes | No |
 +
 +👉 iOS FlowCrypt only supports PGP public-key encryption.
 +
 +Password-encrypted messages are not implemented in the iOS app.
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Why FlowCrypt Disabled Shared-Key on iOS =====
 +
 +FlowCrypt has stated (and demonstrated by behavior) that:
 + • Password-encrypted messages rely on a secure web portal
 + • This requires browser-based flows that are:
 + • Less reliable on iOS
 + • Harder to secure consistently
 + • FlowCrypt’s security model on iOS is:
 + • PGP only
 + • Or plaintext
 +
 +So if no recipient public key is found, FlowCrypt will only offer:
 + • Send unencrypted
 + • Cancel
 +
 +
 +
 +===== What This Means Practically =====
 +
 +On an iPad:
 + • You cannot send encrypted email to non-PGP users using FlowCrypt
 + • There is no hidden setting to enable shared passwords
 + • Reinstalling or changing settings will not help
 +
 +This is a hard limitation, not a configuration issue.
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Your Available Options =====
 +
 +==== Option 1: Use PGP Only (Best Security) ====
 + • Ask recipient to install:
 + • FlowCrypt
 + • Thunderbird
 + • Proton Mail (PGP mode)
 + • Exchange public keys
 + • Communicate securely end-to-end
 +
 +
 +
 +==== Option 2: Use Desktop FlowCrypt for Shared-Key Messages ====
 +
 +If you occasionally need password-encrypted messages:
 + • Use FlowCrypt Chrome extension on a desktop
 + • Send the password-encrypted message there
 + • Continue PGP communication on iPad
 +
 +
 +
 +==== Option 3: Use a Different Tool for Shared Password Messages ====
 +
 +If your use case is mostly shared-secret messaging:
 + • Proton Mail (password-protected emails)
 + • Secure file sharing + separate email
 + • Encrypted notes + link sharing
 +
 +FlowCrypt on iOS is not designed for this scenario.
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Summary =====
 + • FlowCrypt on iPad cannot send shared-password encrypted messages
 + • Seeing only “Send unencrypted” is expected behavior
 + • PGP public-key encryption does work fully
 + • Shared-key encryption requires desktop FlowCrypt
  
  
  
flowcrypt.txt · Last modified: by Steve Isenberg