How to send an end-to-end encrypted message in Vaultr
Every Vaultr conversation is end-to-end encrypted by default. Just open a chat and type. Messages are encrypted on your device; servers relay ciphertext only.
Quick answer: Open any chat in Vaultr and just type. Every conversation is end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) by default — it is not a setting you turn on. Your message is encrypted on your device before it leaves, and Vaultr’s servers only ever relay ciphertext, so no one but you and your recipient can read it.
Vaultr messaging is built on Matrix, the open, federated protocol that no single company controls. Because encryption is always on, sending a private message is identical to sending any message: there are no extra steps, toggles, or “secret chat” modes to remember.
How do I send an encrypted message?
- Open Vaultr and tap the Messages tab.
- Select an existing conversation, or start a new one by choosing a contact.
- Type your message in the compose field.
- Tap Send. Your message is encrypted on your device and the server relays only the ciphertext.
That’s it. You never have to enable encryption — it protects the very first message you send.
What encryption does Vaultr use?
Vaultr applies different proven cryptography depending on the conversation type:
- 1:1 chats use the Signal protocol prekey model, the same approach trusted for private direct messaging worldwide.
- Group chats use MLS (Message Layer Security), a modern standard designed to keep large conversations secure and efficient as members join and leave.
In both cases, messages are encrypted on your device. Vaultr’s servers see only ciphertext, never plaintext.
Can Vaultr or a government read my messages?
No. Because encryption happens on your device and servers relay ciphertext only, a subpoena yields ciphertext — not readable text. There is no plaintext copy sitting on a server for anyone to hand over. This is a direct consequence of Vaultr being non-custodial: you hold the keys, not Vaultr.
What else can I do in a chat?
Encrypted messaging in Vaultr comes with the features you’d expect from a modern messenger, all protected end-to-end:
- Read receipts that progress from sent to delivered to read.
- Typing indicators and online presence.
- Emoji reactions to respond quickly.
- Encrypted attachments — images, video, audio, and PDF files up to 100 MB.
- User blocking to cut off unwanted contacts.
- Encrypted chat backups to services like Google Drive or iCloud, so your history stays protected even off-device.
Contacts are found through contact discovery by hashed phone number, so Vaultr can match you with people you know without exposing raw phone numbers.
Why does encryption-by-default matter?
Most messengers make private encryption an opt-in feature, which means most conversations are never actually protected. Vaultr removes that gap entirely. Since E2EE is on for every conversation, you can’t accidentally send something unprotected, and your contacts don’t need to know anything about cryptography to be safe. The protection is structural, not optional.
FAQ
Do I need to turn on encryption before a sensitive conversation?
No. Encryption is on by default for every conversation. The first message you ever send to someone is already end-to-end encrypted.
Does the other person need a special app or setting?
No. As long as you’re both messaging within Vaultr, encryption is automatic on both ends with no configuration.
What happens if Vaultr receives a subpoena for my messages?
The servers only hold ciphertext, so a subpoena yields ciphertext — not readable content. Only you and your recipient hold the keys to decrypt.
Can I send files securely?
Yes. Attachments including images, video, audio, and PDFs up to 100 MB are encrypted just like text messages.
Learn more about Vaultr messaging.
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