# Encryption notices on messages

> What the small symbols next to the time (i, question mark, lock) and grey notices like "Waiting for this message" or "You don't have access to this message" mean in Rasum, and what you can do.

Source: https://doc.rasum.chat/en/nachrichten/verschluesselungs-hinweise/

Rasum encrypts messages end to end. Most of the time you do not notice this. Sometimes, however, the app shows a notice on a message. There are two kinds:

- a small **symbol next to the time** – the message is readable, but something about its encryption is unusual;
- a **grey notice instead of the text** – the message cannot be read on this device (yet).

[Encryption](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/verschluesselung/) explains what end-to-end encryption is.

## Symbols next to the time

A small symbol can appear next to a message's time. It is grey or red. Red means: this is more important. With a red symbol, the time is red too.

Tap the time, and the app explains the reason in a window. **Android:** The symbol and the text also appear when you long-press the message.

| Symbol | Text in the app | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| [Icon: circle with small i] | **"The authenticity of this encrypted message can't be guaranteed on this device."** | Rasum cannot check on this device whether the message really comes from the sender shown. |
| [Icon: question mark in a filled circle] | **"Encrypted by an unknown or deleted device."** | The device the message came from is unknown or has been signed out. |
| [Icon: question mark in a filled circle] | **"Encrypted by a device not verified by its owner."** | The sender has not confirmed this device. |
| [Icon: question mark in a filled circle] | **"Encrypted by an unverified user."** | You have not confirmed this person. |
| [Icon: question mark in a filled circle] | **"Encrypted by a previously-verified user."** | You had confirmed this person, but their digital identity has changed since then. |
| [Icon: question mark in a filled circle] | **"The sender of the event does not match the owner of the device that sent it."** | The sender and the sending device do not match. Be especially careful here. |
| [Icon: crossed-out lock] | **"Not encrypted."** | This message was sent without encryption. |

**iPhone:** You close the window with **"OK"**.

## What should I do about a question mark or an i?

A grey symbol is usually no reason to worry. It only means that Rasum could not check something with certainty. What to do:

1. Tap the time and read the text.
2. Check whether your own device is confirmed. See [Confirm device](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/geraet-bestaetigen/).
3. If the symbol is red or the content seems strange to you, ask the person in another way, for example with a call, whether the message really is from them.
4. Do not send confidential information while you are unsure.

## What does it mean when someone has shared a message with me?

If you joined a chat later, another member can give you access to older messages. Rasum marks such messages.

**iPhone:** Next to the time there is a grey "i" [Icon: circle with small i]. If you tap it, the app explains this. **"Learn more"** opens further information.

**Android:** The app shows the notice **"… shared this message since you were not in the room when it was sent."** with the person's name.

You do not need to do anything.

## Grey notices instead of the message text

If your device cannot decrypt a message, Rasum shows a grey notice with a symbol instead of the text. The same texts can also appear as a preview in the chat list.

| Symbol | Text in the app | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| [Icon: clock] | **"Waiting for this message"** | The key is still missing. It may still arrive. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"You don't have access to this message"** | The message was sent before you joined the chat. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"Sender's verified digital identity was reset"** | The sender has reset their digital identity. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"Sent from an insecure device"** | The sender sent it from a device they have not confirmed. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"Historical messages are not available on this device"** | An older message for which the key is missing on this device. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"You need to verify this device for access to historical messages"** | Your device is not confirmed yet. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] | **"This message was blocked either because you did not verify your device or because the sender needs to verify your digital identity."** | The message was held back for security reasons. |
| [Icon: crossed-out circle] (iPhone) / [Icon: circle with exclamation mark, not filled] (Android) | **"Unable to decrypt message"** | The sender withheld the key from you. |

If you long-press such a message, the menu shows only a few entries, for example **"Copy link to message"**.

## What does "Waiting for this message" mean?

"Waiting for this message" with a clock [Icon: clock] means: the message has arrived, but your device does not have the key to read it yet. Often the key arrives shortly afterwards, and the message becomes readable by itself.

If the notice stays:

1. Keep Rasum open and connected to the internet so that missing keys can arrive.
2. Check whether your device is confirmed. See [Confirm device](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/geraet-bestaetigen/).
3. If the chat list says **"Your chat backup is out of sync"**, tap **"Enter your recovery key"**. See [Recovery key](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/wiederherstellungsschluessel/).
4. If this does not help, ask the sender to send the message again.

## What does "You don't have access to this message" mean?

"You don't have access to this message" means: the message was written in the chat before you joined. You did not receive a key for it. This is intended. If you need the content, ask someone in the chat to send it to you again.

## What does "Historical messages are not available on this device" mean?

"Historical messages are not available on this device" appears on older messages for which this device has no key. This happens mainly on a new device. Check under **"Settings"** → **"Encryption"** whether Rasum asks you to enter your recovery key. With the right key, Rasum can open the chat backup and make older messages readable. See [New phone or additional device](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/konto/neues-geraet/).

## What does "You need to verify this device for access to historical messages" mean?

This notice means: your device is not confirmed yet. Only then can it read older messages. Confirm the device with another signed-in device or with your recovery key. See [Confirm device](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/geraet-bestaetigen/).

## What does "Sent from an insecure device" mean?

"Sent from an insecure device" means: the sender sent the message from a device that they have not confirmed themselves. That is why Rasum does not show it to you. Ask the person to confirm their device and send the message again.

## What does "Sender's verified digital identity was reset" mean?

This notice means: you had confirmed the sender, but they have reset their digital identity since then. That is why Rasum holds back the message. Ask the person in another way whether they did this themselves. See [Confirm device](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/sicherheit/geraet-bestaetigen/).

## What does "This message was blocked either …" mean?

The notice "This message was blocked either because you did not verify your device or because the sender needs to verify your digital identity." means: the message was not passed to your device for security reasons. First confirm your own device. If the notice stays, the cause is on the sender's side.

## What does "Unable to decrypt message" mean?

"Unable to decrypt message" means: the sender did not release the key for this message to you. You cannot read it on this device. Ask the person to send the message again.

## Warning: a contact's digital identity was reset

If a person you had confirmed resets their digital identity, Rasum warns you in the direct chat.

**iPhone:** The header shows a filled circle with an "i" [Icon: filled circle with i]. In the chat, **"…’s digital identity was reset."** appears with the button **"Withdraw verification"**.

**Android:** The header shows a red exclamation mark in a circle [Icon: red exclamation mark in a filled circle].

This can be harmless, for example after getting a new phone. Still, ask in another way whether the person did this themselves. Only then should you send them confidential messages again.

## Message was not sent because of verification

If Rasum does not send your **own** message for security reasons, it is marked red. What you can do then is explained under [Message status](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/nachrichten/status/).