Do you guys know Facebook Messenger has an end-to-end encryption mode? You can use it while chatting on Messenger and keep your messages safe, as in WhatsApp. But, unlike WhatsApp, you have to enable end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger manually for each individual chat.
WhatsApp already has an end-to-end encryption mode that is turned on by default for all WhatsApp chats and calls and even a few days back, the end-to-end encrypted backups for WhatsApp chats are also launched. But, in Facebook Messenger, it is not enabled by default. You have to activate it for each individual chat in Messenger. This article will guide you on how to enable End-to-End Encryption in Facebook Messenger.
Facebook Messenger did not have this feature till a long time ago, but later Facebook introduced the end-to-end encryption feature in Messenger, considering the privacy concerns of the users. Now, everyone can use it and keep the chats and calls safe and private on Facebook Messenger.
What is End-to-End Encryption Mode?
This is a kind of encryption mode where your messages and calls are encrypted in such a way that only the sender and receiver can access them. Let’s understand it smoothly. If you use any messaging app without activating the encryption mode, the messaging app or any third-party app can see, read, and listen to messages or calls.
But if there is an activated end-to-end encryption mode in the messaging app, the only receiver can read and listen to your messages and calls. Because all the messages and calls get converted into codes, no third-party app, even the messaging app, can access those messages or calls.
How to Enable End-to-End Encryption in Messenger?
Facebook allows you to activate end-to-end encryption for individual chats in Messenger. You can start a new end-to-end encrypted chat in Messenger in only 4 easy steps. Check out all the given steps and turn on end-to-end encryption mode on Messenger.
Start an End-to-End Encrypted Chat on Messenger
Step 1. Open the Messenger App and stay on the Chats section.
Step 2. Look at the top right corner and tap on the Pen icon.
Step 3. Here, you will have a search box. Find the person for whom you want to turn on end-to-end encryption mode. Also, you can create a group by adding multiple people here if you want to have an encrypted group chat.
Step 4. After adding the name, turn the end-to-end encryption toggle on, which you can see at the top right corner with a padlock icon. And then send a message to the person. This will be an end-to-end encrypted message.
All your messages and calls with this selected person or group will be end-to-end encrypted. All the end-to-end encrypted chats will have a padlock icon on the profile picture of the users and also a notification in the chat inbox that says “Messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption.”
Remember that you cannot enable end-to-end encryption for the entire Messenger app. You must have to activate end-to-end encryption for each individual chat. Moreover, Facebook Messenger doesn’t allow you to enable end-to-end encryption in any existing group.
Turn on End-to-End Encryption For Existing Chat
Step 1. Go to the Messenger app and stay in the Chats section.
Step 2. Open the chat box with your friend.
Step 3. Tap on the profile icon or name of the friend from the top of the chat box.
Step 4. Scroll down, look for the Go to secret conversation option, and tap on that.
As soon as, you will tap on that option, a new chat box will appear there with the end-to-end encryption notification and a padlock. All the chats and conversations done here will be end-to-end encrypted. And this chat box will be separate from the regular chat box of that friend. The receiver will also have a separate chat box, like you.
Let you know that you can access the end-to-end encryption mode of Messenger on Android, iPhones, and Web browsers as well. And the process to activate the end-to-end encryption in Messenger is exactly the same for Androids and iPhones’ Messenger app version.
Moreover, to enable the end-to-end encryption in Messenger on a desktop or web browser, log in to Facebook, open Messenger from the top right corner, and then follow the same steps as mentioned above.
How to Turn Off End-to-End Encryption in Facebook Messenger?
The only way to turn off the end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger is to delete the encrypted chat. As I mentioned, the encrypted chat will be separate from the regular chat. So, whenever you want to turn off end-to-end encrypted chat, then you have to delete that encrypted chat.
Once you delete that chat, end-to-end encryption with that person will be automatically turned off. In the future, if you want to do an encrypted chat with the same person, you will have to activate the encryption mode again by following the above steps.
