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PGP Encrypted Email on iPad Using Gmail + FlowCrypt
This guide explains how to add true end-to-end encrypted email (OpenPGP / PGP) to a Gmail account on an iPad using FlowCrypt.
FlowCrypt encrypts email on your device, so neither Google nor FlowCrypt can read your messages.
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What You Get
• True end-to-end encryption (OpenPGP) • Works with existing Gmail accounts • Messages and attachments encrypted locally on the iPad • Compatible with other PGP email clients (Thunderbird, Proton Mail, etc.)
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Requirements
• iPad (iPadOS) • Gmail account • FlowCrypt app from the App Store • Recipients who support PGP encryption
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Step-by-Step Setup
1. Install FlowCrypt
• Open the App Store • Install FlowCrypt – Encrypted Email • Launch the app
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2. Sign In to Gmail
• Tap Sign in with Google • Select your Gmail account • Approve access
Note: FlowCrypt uses Google OAuth. Your Gmail password is never shared.
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3. Create a PGP Key
When prompted:
• Choose Create a new encryption key • Select 4096-bit key (recommended) • Create a strong passphrase
Important:
• This passphrase protects your private key • If lost, encrypted email cannot be recovered
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4. Back Up Your Private Key (CRITICAL)
You must back up your private key to avoid permanent data loss.
Recommended backup locations:
• Encrypted password manager (e.g., KeePassXC) • Cryptomator vault • Encrypted USB drive
Backing up allows you to:
• Add FlowCrypt on another device • Recover access after reinstalling the app
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5. Share Your Public Key
To receive encrypted email, contacts need your public key.
You can:
• Email it to contacts • Attach it once in a normal email • Publish it on a public key server
FlowCrypt can automatically fetch public keys for many recipients.
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Sending Encrypted Email
• Tap Compose in FlowCrypt • Enter the recipient • If a public key is available, a lock icon appears • Write the message • Attach files if needed (attachments are encrypted) • Send
If no public key exists, FlowCrypt will warn you before sending.
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Receiving Encrypted Email
• Encrypted messages appear normally in FlowCrypt • Enter your PGP passphrase to decrypt • Decryption happens locally on the iPad
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Gmail App Behavior
• Encrypted messages cannot be read in the Gmail app • Gmail shows a placeholder such as:
“This message is encrypted”
• You must open FlowCrypt to read or reply securely
This is expected and normal.
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Attachments
• Fully encrypted • Only readable by intended recipients • Suitable for PDFs, images, documents, and text files
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Important Limitations
Recipient Must Support PGP
PGP works best with:
• FlowCrypt • Thunderbird with OpenPGP • Proton Mail (PGP mode)
It is not ideal for one-time or non-technical recipients.
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Subject Lines Are Not Encrypted
Avoid sensitive information in subject lines.
• Bad: Medical test results • Good: Document
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Search and Previews
• Gmail cannot index encrypted content • Message previews and search will be limited • This is the privacy trade-off for encryption
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Recommended FlowCrypt Settings
Go to Settings in FlowCrypt and enable:
• Face ID / biometric unlock • Auto-lock timeout • Disable lock-screen message previews
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When FlowCrypt Is the Right Choice
• Regular communication with the same people • Privacy-sensitive email and documents • Recipients already using PGP • You want encryption without changing email providers
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Related Topics
• Importing an existing PGP key • Sending password-encrypted messages to non-PGP users • Using FlowCrypt on macOS or Windows • Comparing FlowCrypt vs iPGMail or Canary Mail
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If you want, I can also:
• Optimize this for your existing DokuWiki structure • Add screenshots placeholders • Create a short checklist version • Add a key recovery & rotation section
Just tell me what you’d like next.