What end-to-end encryption on Messenger means and how it works

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When you log into Messenger on a new device, you need to restore your end-to-end encrypted chats in order to see all your messages.
Some products don't currently support end-to-end encryption, such as chats with businesses or accounts using business messaging tools, Marketplace chats and others.
On Messenger, Meta is in the process of securing personal messages with end-to-end encryption by default. To check if a chat is end-to-end encrypted, look for End-to-end encrypted in the chat settings.
End-to-end encryption ensures only you and the people you're communicating with can see or listen to what is sent in your messages and calls, and no one else, not even Meta, can do so. Remember that for reporting and optional features such as using Meta AI, you or someone in the chat may still choose to share messages with Meta.

How end-to-end encryption protects your conversation

Every device in an end-to-end encrypted chat has a special key. When you send a message in an end-to-end encrypted chat, your device locks the message as it's sending. This message can only be unlocked by a device that has one of the keys for that chat.
No one can access your messages or calls except the people with the keys. You and whoever you're talking to in end-to-end encrypted chats are the only people with unique, matching keys.
Check that your keys match to make sure your conversation is secure:

What to remember about end-to-end encrypted chats

  • You can't report video or audio calls on Messenger or Facebook chat.
  • If someone in an end-to-end encrypted chat chooses to share the message with someone else, they'll be able to see or hear its contents.
  • Messages shared with Meta AI can be accessed by Meta as described in the Meta Privacy Policy and Meta AI’s Terms of Service. All other messages in the chat remain end-to-end encrypted by default.
  • Chat customizations such as nicknames, chat themes and reactions aren't end-to-end encrypted.
  • If your chat wasn’t previously secured with end-to-end encryption, interactions with messages sent before Messenger upgraded the chat won’t be end-to-end encrypted. This includes reactions to messages.
  • Some actions may be unavailable for messages sent before Messenger upgraded the security of the chat, such as pinning or replying to messages.
  • When you use Play Together, no one outside the call can see or hear your audio and video. However, certain actions are communicated to third-party gaming servers for the game to work (example: playing a card in a game). Meta provides personalized recommendations based on game selections. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

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