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How to verify encryption in Google Messages

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Security should be a top concern for you. To that end, you’ve probably secured all of your accounts with multi-factor authentication and started enabling end-to-end encryption (E2E) on every service that offers the feature.

What does E2E mean? In simplest terms, it means any message you send from Google Messages is encrypted the second it leaves your phone and isn’t decrypted until it reaches the recipient’s device. That means no one in the middle (even your ISP) can read the message. This is especially important for anyone who might be transmitting text messages of a sensitive nature. 

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Even if you’re not sending data that might be of significance, it’s still wise to maintain your security and privacy. To that end, E2E should be a priority for your messages.

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Google rolled out E2E to its Messages app some time ago. With this feature, anyone you communicate with who has Chat features enabled within the app will enjoy end-to-end encryption for your chats. Every time you send a message to that person, you’ll notice a small lock icon at the bottom right of the Send button to indicate the message is encrypted.

<!–> The Google Messages Send button with the encryption lock showing.

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The lock icon attached to the send button indicates E2E is enabled for that chat.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

But how can you be certain the E2E is working as expected? 

Fortunately, the developers added a handy little feature for that very reason. This verification relies on both parties, so you’ll have to share these instructions with the person with whom you want to verify. 

Also: How to set up Google Alerts to keep tabs on topics that interest you

Let me show you how this is done.

How to verify E2E on Google Messages

What you’ll need: The only things you’ll need are the Google Messages app (with Chat features enabled) and another person who has the same app with the same feature switched on. Unless both parties have the feature enabled, this won’t work.

The first step is to unlock your phone and open the Messages app. Once the app is open, locate and open a conversation with a contact that also has Chat features enabled.

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From within that chat, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and then tap Details.

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<!–> The Google Messages menu.

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Accessing the Details page from the main menu.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET