This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

Set up OpenPGP and use it with a contact

All topics · 03 · Encryption & protection · Deutsch

Where to find it

Preferences → Encryption → OpenPGP → choose account

OpenPGP is a separate option alongside OMEMO. If methods or keys do not match on both sides, simply switching the chat lock will not help. First agree which OpenPGP variant the contact’s application uses.

What to do

Choose your account and create a key or import an existing one in key management.
Select the appropriate own key for this account. Keep the private key and its backup confidential.
Agree the mode with the contact. With OpenPGP for XMPP, publish your public key using the provided action.
Inspect the discovered or assigned key in the contact’s encryption details. Compare the complete fingerprint.
Then choose OpenPGP using the chat lock and follow the displayed status.

What do the choices mean?

Legacy OpenPGP · XEP-0027

Compatibility mode for older XMPP applications. Key association and retrieval differ from the newer method and may involve a keyserver.

OpenPGP for XMPP · XEP-0373/0374

Publishes public keys through the XMPP account and uses the corresponding message format. The server and contact must support the required features.

Import, export, delete and revoke

Import loads a key; export writes a file. A public export may be shared; an export including a private key is a confidential backup. Local deletion is not revocation. Revocation declares a key invalid and must be deliberate.