In today’s world of cyber threats and privacy concerns, it’s more important than ever to secure your digital communications. One popular method is to use PGP encryption, which stands for Pretty Good Privacy. While there are many PGP apps available for Android devices, finding the best one can be a daunting task. In this article, we’ll explore the top contenders and help you choose the best Android PGP app for your needs.
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10 Best Android Pgp App
Below is a compiled list of 10 Best Android Pgp App for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
1. andOTP – OTP Authenticator
Additional details can be checked on GitHub for the currently unmaintained andOTP app. The app is designed to generate 6-digit codes for Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP) based on the RFC 6238 specification. Its features include minimal permissions, encrypted storage, sleek Material Design with three different themes, and compatibility with Google Authenticator. There are backup options for plain-text, password-protected, and OpenPGP-encrypted files. The encrypted data files can be stored either in the Android KeyStore or in a Password/PIN. Beta testing for the app is available on Github. The app is open-source and is a fork of the OTP Authenticator app.
2. Conversations (Jabber / XMPP)
A free and open source Jabber/XMPP client for Android is available. It is easy to use, reliable, and battery-friendly, with built-in support for images, group chats, and end-to-end encryption. The design principles include being as beautiful and easy to use as possible without sacrificing security or privacy, relying on existing well-established protocols, not requiring a Google Account or specifically Google Cloud Messaging (GCM), and requiring as few permissions as possible. The features include end-to-end encryption with either OMEMO or OpenPGP, encrypted audio and video calls, sending and receiving images, intuitive UI that follows Android Design guidelines, pictures/avatars for contacts, syncs with desktop client, conferences, address book integration, multiple accounts/unified inbox, and very low impact on battery life. The XMPP features support various extensions, such as SOCKS5 Bytestreams, Personal Eventing Protocol for avatars, blocking command, stream management, message carbons, roster versioning, message archive management, client state indication, and HTTP file upload. The XMPP server is not limited to Conversations, and it is recommended to switch to an XMPP server that supports these extensions to get the most out of Conversations.
3. FairEmail, privacy aware email
FairEmail can be easily set up and is compatible with most email providers. If privacy is important to you, FairEmail might be a good choice. The app is straightforward to use, but it may not be the best option if you want a very simple email app. FairEmail is solely an email client, so you must bring your email address. FairEmail does not support non-standard protocols or functions like calendar/contact/task/note management. Most features are free to use, but some pro features require payment. The app is open-source, privacy-oriented, and efficient in terms of data usage and battery life. It also has various privacy, security, and efficiency features. FairEmail provides support through email if you encounter any issues.
4. K-9 Mail
An open source email client called K-9 Mail works with any email provider and has various features, including support for multiple accounts, a Unified Inbox, privacy protection, automatic synchronization or push notifications, and OpenPGP email encryption. Users can install the app OpenKeychain: Easy PGP to encrypt/decrypt emails. For support, individuals can ask for help in the support forum, and for those interested in improving the app, K-9 Mail is a community developed project with a bug tracker, source code, and wiki available on their website. New developers, designers, documenters, translators, bug triagers, and friends are always welcome.
5. mail.de Mail
Mobile freedom and independence can be experienced with mail.de mail. The e-mail account can always be used on the mobile device with the available application optimized for Android smartphones and tablets. The app combines important communication functions such as sending and receiving e-mails, receiving SMS and fax, and worldwide shipping of real postcards. The app also provides secure access to the address book, overview of all appointments in the calendar, and automatic synchronization of various functions. Safety is prioritized with encryption technology and PIN protection. The app allows for suggestions, questions, or criticism through the contact form or email. The monthly free quota for SMS and fax can be used within the app, with the option to charge more credits for additional services.
6. OpenKeychain: Easy PGP
OpenKeychain is a tool that enables private and secure communication through encryption. Messages can only be read by the intended recipients, making communication more secure. OpenKeychain uses the OpenPGP standard, ensuring encryption compatibility across different devices and systems. The app stores and manages digital keys on Android smartphones and helps users exchange keys with others. OpenKeychain integrates with different apps such as K-9 Mail and Conversations and is open-source, with its source code available for anyone to examine. The app underwent an independent security audit, with no critical issues found. Permissions required by the app are listed and validated for their intended features.
7. Oversec
Any text in any app can be transparently encrypted and decrypted by Oversec. Private encrypted messages can be exchanged and notes can be stored on a phone. Oversec is agnostic of the app and can work with any chat app, including Snapchat and Instagram, and also supports PGP encrypted messages with email apps. Oversec introduces Eye-to-Eye encryption where data is only decrypted on screen and not persisted. The app also does not require internet access, ensuring that no decrypted information leaves the device. The app constantly monitors the text on the screen and encrypts or decrypts it as needed. Additionally, Oversec uses invisible characters to encode encrypted messages. The app is now open source and uses Accessibility services.
8. Password Store
The Android client for Password Store is a complete client that implements most of its capabilities. Features include the ability to clone or initialize a new repository, list passwords, handle categories, decrypt password files, add new passwords, and push changes to the remote repository. Remote repository information can also be changed. The client requires OpenKeychain for encryption and decryption. However, it does not support multiple password stores. If there are issues, users are encouraged to send an email instead of leaving a poor rating. The Password Store is open sourced on GitHub and contributions for translations can be made through Crowdin.
9. PGPAuth
A PGP-verified request app is used in HackerSpace ChaosChemnitz (Germany) to open and close the door without a physical key. The app sends requests over the internet to a specified server and the request type is configurable. Additionally, the request includes a timestamp to ensure that the owner of the gpg-key sent it and not someone else. The app is currently undergoing open alpha testing and is free software. You can modify and redistribute it under the terms of the MIT license. The source code and more information are available on GitHub. It is also now translatable.
10. PhotoPGP Full Edition
PhotoPGP Full Edition supports secure image decryption and public key encryption. The phone’s camera stores image files in public shared storage, making them accessible to other apps. PhotoPGP integrates encryption into the process of capturing an image using the OpenPGP framework, never exposing intermediate image data to public shared storage. Using your private-key, the PhotoPGP viewer automatically decrypts your photos securely with nothing shared. You can allow others access to specific photos by selecting their PGP public-keys when encrypting. PhotoPGP is used to take photos of sensitive, private, or confidential information such as health, financial, and personal identity records. It enables you to store your encrypted images safely anywhere and keeps your private data private. Installing OpenKeychain is a prerequisite. Camera and Write-External-Storage permissions are required for capturing photos and writing encrypted photos, notes, and folders located in shared external directories. PhotoPGP allows you to create folders, supports ZIP-files, and provides various encryption, preview, and cache features. Visit photopgp.com for more information.