End-to-end encryption in chats
At Viber, we're committed to providing you with a secure place to chat.
How do we do this? With the latest end-to-end encryption technology.
IMPORTANT
End-to-end encryption is available from Viber version 6.0. To ensure that your chats are secure and that our latest security features are protecting you, please update to the latest version of Viber on all your devices.
What is end-to-end encryption?
End-to-end encryption means that only the sender and the intended receiver have access to the contents of a message. Neither Viber nor anyone or anything else can read encrypted messages. The encryption keys are stored only on your devices and no one has access to them. To learn more about Viber's encryption and privacy, follow this link.
How does end-to-end encryption work?
Each Viber account has a unique key. When you send a message using Viber, your messages are encrypted (locked) while they are in transit and then decrypted (unlocked) when they reach the intended recipient.
If the message doesn't reach the recipient immediately (for example, because their phone is switched off), it will remain encrypted on Viber's servers until it can be delivered. Viber can't decrypt any encrypted messages and doesn't hold onto messages once they have been delivered.
Notes
End-to-end encryption is an automatic process introduced in Viber version 6.0 on all devices (mobile, desktop, and tablet). For technical information, please review Viber's Encryption Overview.
What types of communication are end-to-end encrypted?
- 1-on-1 chats
- Groups
- 1-on-1 calls
Why aren't all chats end-to-end encrypted?
Some chats aren't end-to-end encrypted for functionality reasons. For example, Channels and Communities display the entire chat history to new members, which means that the intended recipient of a message remains undefined. These messages are protected by encryption-in-transit.
The following communication on Viber is not end-to-end encrypted:
- Communities
- Channels
- Chats with bots
- Chats with Business accounts
- Video calls
- Group calls
How to check if your chats are encrypted
To see if your chats are encrypted:
Phone
1-on-1 chat
- Open Viber on your phone
- Tap on Chats
- Select a 1-on-1 chat
- Tap Info
(Android) or the name of the chat (iOS) at the top of the screen
- Tap Chat info
- Look for the Encryption lock
underneath the contact's display picture
Group chat
- Open Viber on your phone
- Tap on Chats
- Select a group
- Tap Info
- Android: tap on Chat info
- Look for the Encryption lock
Desktop
- Open Viber on your desktop
- Click on a 1-on-1 or group chat
- Click on the Info
icon
- Look for the Encryption lock
You can also add contacts to a Trusted Contacts list which will allow you to verify if your connection is secure each time you chat or call them.
Notes
If you don't see the encryption lock, then either you or the person/people you are chatting with are using a Viber version older than 6.0. Please update Viber on your phone and ask the participants of your chat to update Viber as well.