Encrypted Emails Now Available to Some Business Customers of the Gmail Phone App
We all love to nail. If you use Gmail in a business setting, especially if your work involves sensitive information, you probably like it even more. Some users of the Gmail app on iOS and Android phones can now send and receive encrypted emails from within the app itself — no add-ons required.
Previously, Gmail users could only send emails with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on their desktops. Google’s announcement said “there is no need to download additional applications or use mail portals.” Customers can simply write and read encrypted emails from the Gmail app itself on their iOS and Android phones.
An example of an encrypted email in the Gmail app.
But not all Gmail users will be able to use the new feature. Only available to Enterprise Plus subscribers with the Assured Controls or Assured Controls Plus add-on. Enterprise Plus is a subscription plan, one of several within Google Workspace. Plus is aimed at large enterprises and other organizations and offers superior data security and client-side encryption, which the less expensive Enterprise Standard lacks.
Certified Controllers and Integrated Certified Controllers are designed to maximize digital sovereignty, data retention and compatibility.
More from ZDNET: Best Email Encryption Software 2026: Expert Tested
Google said the feature is designed to allow users to “interact with your organization’s sensitive data from anywhere on their mobile devices while ensuring data remains compliant.”
With the new feature, users of the Gmail app can send encrypted emails to anyone, even if they don’t use Gmail. If the recipient uses the Gmail app, the encrypted email will appear like any other email in their inbox. If the recipient isn’t using the Gmail app, they can still read the encrypted email and reply to it in their browser — along with the entire encrypted conversation.
Example of an email from a Gmail app client sent to a recipient outside of the Gmail app.
For example, say a client of the Gmail app sends an encrypted message to someone using an iPhone through the native iPhone email app. That person using the iPhone will still be able to read the encrypted email and reply with an encrypted message.
Enterprise Plus customers can use the new feature now, regardless of whether they are in the Rapid Release or Scheduled Release domains. To encrypt an email, click the lock icon and choose additional encryption. Then create your message.
Business and organization administrators should enable Android and iOS clients in the CSE admin interface in the admin console to grant access to their Gmail users.
Proton is one of the businesses and consumers
Proton Workspace, a business solution launched last monthand has end-to-end email encryption but with the added benefit of being based in Europe (Switzerland), which must comply with the US CLOUD Act and, thus, transfer data to the US government.
For the everyday consumer, Proton Mail has end-to-end email encryption and is available for free or with paid plans, some of which include integrated privacy and security apps, such as a VPN and password manager.
