Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA)
Turn on 2FA using an authenticator app (like Aegis or Google Authenticator). This prevents anyone from logging in even if they have your password.
Privacy Toolkit · Step 3
Take back your inbox.
Proton Mail is a secure email service with end‑to‑end encryption, zero‑access encryption, and no tracking. Your emails, contacts, and calendar are protected by Swiss privacy laws and open‑source cryptography.
Why use Proton Mail?
Email that isn’t read by advertisers or governments.
Email was never designed for privacy. Most providers scan the contents of your messages to build advertising profiles, share metadata with third parties, and comply with broad data requests—often without your knowledge.
Proton Mail puts you back in control. All messages are encrypted on your device before they ever reach Proton’s servers. This means that even Proton cannot read your emails. They have zero access to your data. The service is based in Switzerland, where strong privacy laws protect you, and it’s funded by users, not by selling your information.
In addition to email, Proton offers an integrated calendar and cloud storage (Proton Drive), all with the same end‑to‑end encryption. The code is open source and has been independently audited.
How to set up Proton Mail
Start with an account.
Proton Mail works on the web, on your phone, and on your desktop. The easiest way to begin is to create a free account.
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1
Create your free account
Go to the Proton Mail sign‑up page and choose a username. You can use your own domain or a @proton.me address.
Create a Proton Mail account → -
2
Set a strong password and recovery options
Choose a unique, strong password. Proton Mail also offers two‑factor authentication (2FA) and recovery email or phone options to keep your account secure.
For extra protection, you can set a mailbox password that adds another layer of encryption to your local mailbox.
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3
Install the mobile app (optional but recommended)
Download the official Proton Mail app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It gives you secure push notifications and offline access.
Download the mobile app → -
4
Use Proton Mail on the web or desktop
You can access your inbox directly at mail.proton.me from any browser. For a dedicated desktop experience, you can also use Proton Mail’s Bridge app (paid plans) with your favorite email client like Outlook or Thunderbird.
The web and mobile apps are fully featured, so you don’t need a separate desktop app unless you prefer it.
Our recommended starting settings
Simple tweaks for stronger privacy.
Proton Mail is secure by default, but a few settings can make it even safer and easier to use.
Set a mailbox password
A mailbox password encrypts your local email data with an extra key. It’s especially useful if you share a device or want to protect against physical access.
Use encrypted contacts
Import your contacts securely and store them with the same end‑to‑end encryption as your emails. Proton Mail can also automatically encrypt messages to other Proton users.
Turn on “expiring messages” for sensitive emails
For non‑Proton recipients, you can send self‑destructing messages that automatically delete after a set time, even after they’ve been read.