# Frequently asked questions > This page gives short answers on sign-in, mail apps, your own domain, encryption, privacy, prices, switching and the VPN. Each answer starts with the result and names the page that has the details. ## Account and sign-in ### Do I need a phone number? No. privymail.eu asks for no phone number and sends no SMS codes. More under [Sign-in](https://privymail.eu/en/sign-in.md). ### Is a second factor mandatory? No, it is optional. The options are passkeys (WebAuthn) and one-time codes (TOTP). More under [Security](https://privymail.eu/en/security.md). ### What happens if I forget my password? You set a new one with a recovery code; you receive the codes when the account is set up. We have no master key: without the password and without a code, we cannot restore access either. More under [Sign-in](https://privymail.eu/en/sign-in.md). ## Mail apps ### Can I keep using my mail app? Yes. privymail.eu speaks IMAP and SMTP and therefore works with Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Outlook and any other app that speaks these protocols. This applies in all paid plans; more under [Mail apps and open standards](https://privymail.eu/en/standards.md). ### Do I need extra software? No, not in the default Compatible mode: the server delivers mail to any IMAP app over TLS. An ordinary mail app does not open Sealed folders directly, however. The limits are under [Mail apps and open standards](https://privymail.eu/en/standards.md). ### Do I enter my main password in the mail app? No. Each device gets its own app password, which can be revoked individually. More under [Sign-in](https://privymail.eu/en/sign-in.md). ### Can I synchronise calendar and contacts? Yes, over CalDAV and CardDAV, in all paid plans. More under [Calendar and contacts](https://privymail.eu/en/calendar.md). ## Your own domain ### Can I use my own domain? Yes, from the Pro plan upwards. It includes 3 domains, the Team plan an unlimited number; more under [Your own domain](https://privymail.eu/en/domains.md). ### What does Domain Autopilot handle? It generates the DNS records for MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, MTA-STS and TLS-RPT, keeps checking them and monitors DNSSEC and DANE. What these records do is explained under [SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained](https://privymail.eu/en/email-authentication.md). ### Do I have to enter the DNS records myself? Yes. Your zone is hosted by your DNS provider. The Autopilot displays the records and checks them from outside; it cannot change anything there. The limits are under [Your own domain](https://privymail.eu/en/domains.md). ## Encryption ### Can privymail.eu read my mail? In the default Compatible mode, temporarily yes: mail is stored encrypted on the server, but during delivery and while you are signed in the server processes plain text. In Sealed folders no, because decryption there happens on your device. The [Encryption](https://privymail.eu/en/encryption.md) page explains both levels. ### Is that end-to-end encryption? In Compatible mode, no; it is not zero access either. Sealed folders are encrypted with OpenPGP (RFC 9580), and the private key never leaves your device unencrypted. More under [Security](https://privymail.eu/en/security.md). ### Can I choose the level of protection myself? Yes, for each folder separately: Compatible or Sealed. [Mail apps and open standards](https://privymail.eu/en/standards.md) shows the difference. ### How is mail protected in transit? With TLS: version 1.3 preferred, 1.2 as the minimum. When sending to other servers, privymail.eu uses DANE and MTA-STS where the other side supports them. More under [Security](https://privymail.eu/en/security.md). ## Privacy and authorities ### Who operates privymail.eu? patchletter UG (haftungsbeschränkt) in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, represented by its managing director Kolja Sagorski. The address and register entry are in the [imprint](https://privymail.eu/en/legal.md). ### Are there ads or tracking? No. The business model is subscriptions; advertising and analysing your mail are not part of it, not in the Free plan either. This website also works without JavaScript, cookies or tracking, see [Privacy](https://privymail.eu/en/privacy.md). ### How long does privymail.eu keep logs? Login logs with IP address for 7 days at most, SMTP logs for 14 days at most. Message bodies and subject lines appear in no log. The full table is under [Privacy](https://privymail.eu/en/privacy.md). ### Where is my data stored? For email, calendar and contacts the principle is: customer data exclusively in the EU, with verified EU providers. The [Europe](https://privymail.eu/en/europe.md) page shows what is backed by evidence. ### What happens when authorities ask for data? privymail.eu reviews every request legally and notifies the people affected where that is permitted. The service cannot read the content of Sealed folders and therefore cannot hand it over. More under [Transparency](https://privymail.eu/en/transparency.md). ## Prices and payment ### What does privymail.eu cost? The Free plan costs nothing. Personal costs 2.50 euros a month, Pro 4 euros and Team 5.50 euros per person, each billed yearly; the [Pricing](https://privymail.eu/en/pricing.md) page shows what each plan includes. ### What does the free plan include? 1 GB of storage, no ads, no tracking and the export free of charge. More under [Pricing](https://privymail.eu/en/pricing.md). ### Which payment methods are there? SEPA direct debit and bank transfer, through European payment providers. privymail.eu never stores card data itself; more under [Pricing](https://privymail.eu/en/pricing.md). ## Switching and cancelling ### Can I keep my current address? Only if it is on your own domain. An address with another provider stays there; whether that provider forwards mail depends on its features. More under [Switching](https://privymail.eu/en/switch.md). ### Can I bring my old mail with me? Yes. privymail.eu imports existing mail over IMAP; this requires your current provider to allow IMAP access. More under [Switching](https://privymail.eu/en/switch.md). ### Can I get my data out again? Yes. Every plan includes a complete export free of charge: mail, contacts, calendars and keys in open formats. [Leaving privymail.eu](https://privymail.eu/en/leaving.md) explains how. ### What happens to my data after I cancel? Mail, attachments, contacts and calendars stay stored for 30 days after cancellation and are then deleted. privymail.eu removes the keys first, which ends access, so export beforehand. All periods are listed under [Leaving privymail.eu](https://privymail.eu/en/leaving.md). ## VPN ### Does privymail.eu include a VPN? It is planned for December 2026. Details are under [VPN](https://privymail.eu/en/vpn.md). ### What does the VPN include in each plan? The Free plan is planned with one connection, three countries and 10 Mbit/s at most. The paid plans are planned with more countries, up to five devices and 1 Gbit/s at most. More under [VPN](https://privymail.eu/en/vpn.md). --- - This page as HTML: https://privymail.eu/en/faq/ - Deutsche Fassung: https://privymail.eu/faq.md