Export the secret key
From GnuPG: gpg --export-secret-keys --armor YOURKEYID > mykey.asc. From PGPony: export the key from the key details screen. Treat the exported file as the secret it is.
How to import a PGP key
Already living in the OpenPGP world? Keep your identity. CarrierPony imports a standard OpenPGP key (exported from GnuPG or PGPony) and uses it as your messaging identity, with passphrase protection preserved.
At a glance
- Export your key from GnuPG or PGPony
- Get the file onto your iPhone
- Import it in CarrierPony
- Enter the passphrase if protected
- You're you, same key
Prerequisites
- An existing OpenPGP key (from GnuPG, PGPony, or elsewhere)
Move it to the iPhone
AirDrop, the Files app, or any transfer you trust gets the .asc onto the device. Delete intermediate copies afterwards.
Import in CarrierPony
In the identity/keys area, choose to import a key and pick the file. CarrierPony reads a standard armored OpenPGP secret key with Ed25519 signing and a Curve25519 encryption subkey; RSA and other key types are declined with a clear message.
Unlock if protected
If the key carries a passphrase, you'll be asked for it. Protection stays in place. Importing never strips it.
Clean up
Once the app confirms the identity, remove the exported file from wherever it landed in transit. Your key now lives in CarrierPony, on-device.
Verify it worked
- CarrierPony shows your key's identity and fingerprint.
- The fingerprint matches what GnuPG reports with gpg --fingerprint.
- New pairings use the imported key.
Common questions
What key algorithms are supported?
CarrierPony is built for modern OpenPGP keys (Ed25519 signing and Curve25519 encryption) via PGPonyCore, the same engine as PGPony.
Does importing send my key anywhere?
No. Import is a local, on-device operation. The private key never leaves the phone afterwards except inside your own encrypted backup.
Can I keep using the same key in GnuPG too?
Yes. It's a standard OpenPGP key and remains yours everywhere. Just remember every device holding a secret key is a place it can be stolen from.
Next steps
Get CarrierPony
Free private messaging and file transfer for iPhone and Android. No accounts, no tracking, no phone numbers.