Reading Encrypted Outlook Email Messages

Overview

An encrypted message is delivered to a recipient’s inbox like any other email. Internal or external, if the recipient has a Microsoft 365 account and uses Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the web, Outlook for Android, and Outlook for iOS, they will be able to read the encrypted email message without taking any additional actions. This is regardless of whether or not the recipient is in the same organization.

Prerequisites

Encrypted email message.

Resolution

Outlook Users

Use Outlook to open and read encrypted emails.

Non-Microsoft 365 Users

Non-Microsoft 365 users (i.e. Google mail, Yahoo mail, Hotmail) will receive an email message with instructions for how to read the encrypted message similar to the image below.

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

If the encrypted message was sent to a Google or Yahoo Mail account, you can authenticate using your Google or Yahoo account or by using a temporary passcode that will be sent to you in email. 

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

You can learn more about message encryption by visiting Microsoft's webpages below.

Send, view, and reply to encrypted messages

Learn about encrypted messages

Still Need Help? 

Call the IT Solution Center

Print Article

Related Articles (3)

How to encrypt an email in Outlook.
What external recipients can expect when receiving an encrypted email.
A list of data considered to be confidential and restricted.