Apple has taken a significant step toward prioritizing user privacy by including the encrypted email service Skiff among the default email options on all iOS devices. While this addition does not replace Apple Mail entirely, it represents a notable development for secure email services aiming to encourage more users to switch from mainstream apps offered by big tech companies.
Skiff, founded by CEO Andrew Milich and CTO Jason Ginsberg in 2020, is built on the principle that privacy should be the default setting for online communication. The platform offers users greater control over the information they share by adopting a zero-trust privacy approach. Skiff does not store or collect sensitive user data, and everything is end-to-end encrypted and open-sourced.
Milich expressed that becoming a default iOS mail app was essential to Skiff’s mission, emphasizing that privacy protection online should be easy and accessible to all, rather than reserved for those who are willing to go through complex processes or acquire specialized knowledge.
Apple’s decision to include Skiff as a default mail app is a testament to the product’s value and marks a significant recognition of its capabilities. Milich mentioned that this achievement was the result of over a year of product improvements, including enhanced offline support, more secure sign-in options, and seamless compatibility with all email links on iOS.
While popular email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and Spark were already part of the default options, not all top encrypted email apps enjoyed the same privilege. Currently, ProtonMail, developed by the VPN provider of the same name, is among the default choices, but other encrypted email apps like Tutanota, SecureMyEmail, and PrivateMail are not yet included.
Milich expressed excitement about Apple’s focus on privacy and its collaboration to seamlessly integrate end-to-end encrypted email into iOS. To set Skiff Mail as the default email choice, users can download the app from the Apple Store and navigate to Settings > Skiff Mail to make the necessary selection.
As privacy concerns continue to gain prominence, Apple’s inclusion of Skiff as a default email app reflects the growing demand for secure communication tools and provides users with an additional option to safeguard their digital interactions.
