Can non-Proton Mail users respond to encrypted messages?
People that aren’t on Proton Mail(new window) can reply securely to encrypted messages you send them if you use our Password-protected Emails(new window) feature.
When you send a password-protected email to a non-Proton Mail user, the recipient will receive an email that invites them to view your secure message.
![Password-protected email showing message — You have received a secure message](https://res.cloudinary.com/dbulfrlrz/images/w_791,h_681,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1714636569/wp-pme/you-have-received-secure-message-1_31661fc485/you-have-received-secure-message-1_31661fc485.png?_i=AA)
They can only access the message using a password you have both previously agreed on (for example, in person or using a secure messaging app(new window)).
The password hint can also be used to reference something only the two of you will know.
![Box to enter the message password to decrypt a password-protected email](https://res.cloudinary.com/dbulfrlrz/images/w_469,h_354,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1714637388/wp-pme/decrypt-message-password-box_31543e1b1f/decrypt-message-password-box_31543e1b1f.png?_i=AA)
Once the recipient has entered the password, they can read the message in a secure Proton Mail mailbox.
From here, they can reply to the message by clicking Reply securely. When they reply in this way, the new message is sent end-to-end encrypted(new window).
![Reply securely button to reply to a password-protected email](https://res.cloudinary.com/dbulfrlrz/images/w_823,h_588,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1714636579/wp-pme/reply-securely-button-1_3165854681/reply-securely-button-1_3165854681.png?_i=AA)
They can use the Proton Mail composer editing tools to format the reply and include attachments (which are also end-to-end encrypted) by clicking the paper clip icon.
![Reply to a Password-protected Email showing formatting tools and Attachments button](https://res.cloudinary.com/dbulfrlrz/images/w_809,h_531,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1714636560/wp-pme/reply-to-password-protected-email_3166257ad6/reply-to-password-protected-email_3166257ad6.png?_i=AA)