10 Essential Proton Mail Privacy Hacks You Need to Know
Maximize your email security with these expert tips for Proton Mail users.
1Unlock Extra Storage
Proton Mail's free plan offers 500MB storage, but you can double it to 1GB by completing their onboarding checklist within 18 days of signing up. Look for 'Get more storage' in the sidebar and follow the tasks. Paid Plus subscriptions provide 15GB, matching Google's standard offering. This upgrade path helps users manage attachments without immediate financial commitment.
2Reserve Future Emails
Secure email addresses for your children by reserving usernames through Proton Mail. For just $1 donation to the Proton Foundation, you can lock in a preferred address that remains available for 15 years. This proactive measure ensures your kids will have private email options even if common name variations get taken in the interim period.
3Migrate Existing Accounts
Proton's Easy Switch feature lets users import emails, contacts, and calendars from Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or any IMAP-compatible service. The tool maintains copies in both systems during transition and enables end-to-end encryption for messages between Proton users. Access it through Settings > Import via Easy Switch for a seamless migration process.
4Adjust Send Delays
Customize Proton Mail's Undo Send timer from 0-20 seconds (default is 10) to recall emails with errors. Found in Settings > Messages and Composing, this feature helps prevent sending regrets from typos, forgotten attachments, or emotional messages. The flexibility accommodates different user preferences for email safety nets.
5Create Email Aliases
Generate unlimited plus-address aliases ([email protected]) for filtering or privacy. Paid users can create random aliases through the security shield icon's 'Hide-my-email' feature, while free accounts get 10. These help organize incoming mail and protect primary addresses from exposure when signing up for services.
6Password-Protect Emails
Encrypt messages to non-Proton users by clicking the padlock icon when composing. Set a password and hint (shared separately) with optional expiration dates. While replies remain encrypted, subsequent responses require re-enabling protection. This adds crucial security layers for sensitive communications outside Proton's ecosystem.
7Auto-Delete Messages
Set expiration timers (hourglass icon) to automatically remove sent/received emails after chosen periods. Available for Proton-to-Proton messages and password-protected external emails, this prevents indefinite data retention. Paid accounts can also auto-delete received messages, enhancing control over digital footprints.
8Secure Image Sharing
Proton Mail automatically strips location data and other metadata from attached images when prompted. This prevents accidental exposure of sensitive photographic details while maintaining visual content. The feature appears as 'Remove metadata' when attaching files, balancing convenience with privacy protection.
Original article: Lifehacker — 10 Essential Proton Mail Privacy Hacks You Need to Know