A message that is encrypted by Microsoft 365 Message Encryption is delivered to a recipient’s inbox just like any other email message. If the recipient has an Microsoft 365 email account and new Outlook, they'll see an alert about the item's restricted permissions in the Reading pane. After opening the message, the recipient can view the message just like any other.
Messages that have the encrypt-only policy applied can be read directly in Outlook on the web, in Outlook for iOS and Android, Outlook for Windows versions 2019 and newer, and Microsoft 365. If you're using another mail service, you'll see a message with a link. That link will take you to either to Outlook on the web if you're a Microsoft 365 subscriber, or you'll be prompted to get a one-time passcode to read the message in a browser window.
View and reply to an encrypted message with Microsoft 365
If you're in a Microsoft 365 organization, you can read messages encrypted with the encrypt-only or do-not-forward policies, or custom protection templates.
To reply to an encrypted message
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Choose Reply or Reply All.
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On the page that appears, type a reply and choose Send. An encrypted copy of your reply message is sent to you.
View and reply to an encrypted message in Outlook without Microsoft 365
If you're using Outlook without Microsoft 365, your encrypted message will contain a link in the message body.
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Select Read the message.
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Select how you'd like to sign in to read the message. If your email provider is Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft, you can select Sign in with Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft respectively. Otherwise, select sign in with a one-time passcode.
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Once you receive the passcode in an email message, make a note of the passcode, then return to the web page where you requested the passcode and enter the passcode, and select CONTINUE.
Tip: Each passcode expires after 15 minutes. If that happens, or if you can’t open the message for any reason, start over by opening the attachment again and following the steps.
See also
Send encrypted email messages in Outlook
Secure messages by using a digital signature
Find digital ID or digital ID services
Send a digitally signed or encrypted message for Mac
Advanced Outlook.com security for Microsoft 365 subscribers
