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.

⸻

•	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.)

⸻

•	iPad (iPadOS)
•	Gmail account
•	FlowCrypt app from the App Store
•	Recipients who support PGP encryption

⸻

•	Open the App Store
•	Install FlowCrypt – Encrypted Email
•	Launch the app

⸻

•	Tap Sign in with Google
•	Select your Gmail account
•	Approve access

Note: FlowCrypt uses Google OAuth. Your Gmail password is never shared.

⸻

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

⸻

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

⸻

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.

⸻

•	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.

⸻

•	Encrypted messages appear normally in FlowCrypt
•	Enter your PGP passphrase to decrypt
•	Decryption happens locally on the iPad

⸻

•	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.

⸻

•	Fully encrypted
•	Only readable by intended recipients
•	Suitable for PDFs, images, documents, and text files

⸻

PGP works best with:

•	FlowCrypt
•	Thunderbird with OpenPGP
•	Proton Mail (PGP mode)

It is not ideal for one-time or non-technical recipients.

⸻

Avoid sensitive information in subject lines.

•	Bad: Medical test results
•	Good: Document

⸻

•	Gmail cannot index encrypted content
•	Message previews and search will be limited
•	This is the privacy trade-off for encryption

⸻

Go to Settings in FlowCrypt and enable:

•	Face ID / biometric unlock
•	Auto-lock timeout
•	Disable lock-screen message previews

⸻

•	Regular communication with the same people
•	Privacy-sensitive email and documents
•	Recipients already using PGP
•	You want encryption without changing email providers

⸻

•	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

⸻

Here are clear, DokuWiki-formatted instructions for viewing and sharing your public key in FlowCrypt on an iPad.

You can paste this directly into your wiki.

⸻

Your public key is what others need in order to send you PGP-encrypted email. It is safe to share publicly and does not expose your private key.

⸻

•	Open FlowCrypt on your iPad
•	Tap the ☰ menu (top left)
•	Go to Settings
•	Tap Encryption Keys
•	Select your active key
•	Tap Public Key

You can now:

•	View the full public key text
•	Copy it to the clipboard
•	Share it via email or other apps

⸻

FlowCrypt can automatically send your public key to a contact.

•	Open FlowCrypt
•	Tap Compose
•	Enter the recipient’s email address
•	If they do not already have your key, FlowCrypt will prompt:
•	Send your public key
•	Confirm and send

This sends a normal (unencrypted) email with your public key attached.

⸻

If you want to include your public key with other information:

•	Open FlowCrypt
•	Go to Settings → Encryption Keys
•	Select your key
•	Tap Export Public Key
•	Attach the exported file to an email or message

⸻

A public key is plain text and begins and ends like this:

-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
...
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----

Anyone can have this key. Only you have the private key.

⸻

You may publish your public key so others can find it automatically.

Options include:

•	PGP public key servers
•	Personal website
•	Wiki page
•	Email signature (link or attachment)

FlowCrypt can automatically discover keys published on common key servers.

⸻

•	Sharing your public key is safe
•	Never share your private key
•	Protect your private key with:
•	Strong passphrase
•	Secure backup (password manager, encrypted vault)

⸻

•	Can’t see the key?
•	Make sure a key exists under Settings → Encryption Keys
•	Multiple keys listed?
•	Use the one marked Active
•	Recipient can’t encrypt to you?
•	Confirm they imported your public key correctly

⸻

Short answer: Yes, but with important limitations. FlowCrypt supports password-encrypted messages (shared secret) instead of public-key (PGP) encryption, but this is not the same as true PGP and works differently.

Below is a DokuWiki-formatted explanation you can paste directly into your wiki.

⸻

FlowCrypt primarily uses public-key (PGP) encryption, but it also supports password-encrypted messages for recipients who do not use PGP.

This method uses a shared secret (password) instead of a public key.

⸻

•	You choose a shared password
•	The message is encrypted using that password
•	The recipient receives:
•	An email with a secure FlowCrypt link
•	They enter the password in their browser to read the message
•	No PGP software is required for the recipient

⸻

•	Recipient does not use PGP
•	One-time or infrequent secure messages
•	You can safely share a password out-of-band
•	Phone call
•	Text message
•	In-person

⸻

•	Not true end-to-end PGP
•	Relies on FlowCrypt’s secure message portal
•	Less suitable for long-term or repeated communication
•	Password must be shared securely ahead of time

⸻

•	Open FlowCrypt
•	Tap Compose
•	Enter recipient email address
•	If no public key is found, FlowCrypt will prompt:
•	Send a password-encrypted message
•	Choose a strong password
•	Send the message
•	Share the password with the recipient via a different channel

⸻

•	Recipient receives an email with a link
•	Clicks the link
•	Enters the shared password
•	Reads the message in a secure web page
•	Can reply securely using the same password

⸻

•	Use a long, unique password
•	Never send the password in the same email
•	Avoid reusing passwords
•	Set expiration dates if offered

⸻

⸻

•	Subject lines are not encrypted
•	Gmail cannot index encrypted content
•	Password-encrypted messages may expire depending on settings

⸻

•	Use PGP public keys for regular, privacy-critical communication
•	Use password-encrypted messages only when PGP is not feasible

⸻