Help Centre › eM Client › PGP Encryption in eM Client
This guide is a practical walkthrough of PGP Encryption in eM Client for UK users. Whether you are running eM Client on a Windows or Mac desktop for a UK business mailbox — Axigen via smartxhosting.uk, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or a self-hosted Plesk mailbox — the steps below apply. All eM Client Pro and Business features referenced here are available on licences purchased from smartxhosting.uk/email-client.
What Is PGP Encryption? · How PGP Works — Public and Private Keys · Generating a PGP Key Pair — Step by Step · Importing a Contact's Public Key · Sending an Encrypted Email · Tips and Best Practices · FAQ
Security best practice for UK users handling business or personal data:
- Enable TLS on IMAP (993) and SMTP (587 / 465).
- Use app-specific passwords on Google, iCloud and Microsoft accounts that require them.
- For sensitive correspondence, use S/MIME or PGP encryption supported natively in eM Client.
- Rotate passwords annually and whenever a security event occurs.
- Under UK GDPR, encryption of personal data in transit is considered a baseline technical measure.
- Keep a clean backup of encryption keys (private key material) separately from the device — lost keys mean lost access to encrypted mail history.
¶ How PGP Works — Public and Private Keys
Security best practice for UK users handling business or personal data:
- Enable TLS on IMAP (993) and SMTP (587 / 465).
- Use app-specific passwords on Google, iCloud and Microsoft accounts that require them.
- For sensitive correspondence, use S/MIME or PGP encryption supported natively in eM Client.
- Rotate passwords annually and whenever a security event occurs.
- Under UK GDPR, encryption of personal data in transit is considered a baseline technical measure.
- Keep a clean backup of encryption keys (private key material) separately from the device — lost keys mean lost access to encrypted mail history.
- Open eM Client and navigate to the relevant area (Menu → Settings or the feature’s dedicated pane).
- Follow the built-in wizard or configuration dialogue for pgp encryption.
- Enter the settings required (server addresses, credentials, preferences) — auto-detection handles most providers.
- Test the configuration with a simple send or sync to confirm it works end-to-end.
- Save changes. eM Client applies settings immediately; no restart is needed for most options.
- For UK business mailboxes from smartxhosting.uk, server settings auto-configure via autodiscover in most cases.
eM Client provides bulk import/export via File menu:
- File → Import (or Export) → choose the source or target format.
- Supported formats include MBOX, EML, PST (Outlook), VCF (contacts), ICS (calendar), CSV.
- Select the accounts or folders to include.
- Run the import / export; eM Client handles the conversion.
- For Outlook and Thunderbird specifically, use the dedicated migration wizard.
UK SMEs migrating from legacy Outlook setups should export a PST backup first before running the migration — gives a rollback path.
Security best practice for UK users handling business or personal data:
- Enable TLS on IMAP (993) and SMTP (587 / 465).
- Use app-specific passwords on Google, iCloud and Microsoft accounts that require them.
- For sensitive correspondence, use S/MIME or PGP encryption supported natively in eM Client.
- Rotate passwords annually and whenever a security event occurs.
- Under UK GDPR, encryption of personal data in transit is considered a baseline technical measure.
- Keep a clean backup of encryption keys (private key material) separately from the device — lost keys mean lost access to encrypted mail history.
¶ Tips and Best Practices
- Keep eM Client updated — Help → Check for Updates — to get the latest fixes and features.
- Back up your database regularly (File → Backup) so settings and mail are recoverable.
- Use a professional e-mail address on your own domain (for example
[email protected]) for better deliverability than free mail.
- Under UK GDPR, if you process customer data through eM Client, include it in your data-processing inventory and back it up.
- For teams, standardise settings and signatures across devices by exporting a settings file and sharing it with staff.
eM Client licences for UK businessesBuy eM Client Pro, Business or a team licence pack from
smartxhosting.uk/email-client — UK VAT invoices, GBP billing, lifetime and subscription options, supported in UK business hours.
Q: Do I need a paid licence to use pgp encryption?
A: eM Client Free allows two accounts and basic functionality. Pro and Business licences unlock unlimited accounts and advanced features. Licences from smartxhosting.uk/email-client include UK VAT invoices and UK-business-hours support.
Q: Does this work with smartxhosting.uk business mailboxes?
A: Yes. eM Client supports Axigen IMAP/SMTP used by smartxhosting.uk business e-mail. Auto-setup usually detects the correct server settings.
Q: Is this feature available on macOS as well as Windows?
A: Yes — eM Client is cross-platform. Feature parity is close; minor interface differences exist, but the steps above apply to both.
Q: Is my data processed under UK GDPR?
A: eM Client stores data locally on your device. Any mail server communication follows your mail provider’s policies. For UK SMEs using smartxhosting.uk business mailboxes, data is processed in EU-located servers consistent with UK GDPR.
Q: Can I use this on multiple devices?
A: eM Client Pro licences cover one user across multiple devices (desktop + laptop). Business licences scale by seat. Sync happens through your mail server (IMAP/Exchange), not through eM Client itself.
Q: How do I buy a licence for my UK business?
A: Order from smartxhosting.uk/email-client — Pro (per device), Business (per user, central admin), or team packs. GBP billing, UK VAT invoice, instant activation.