Discord Now Supports End-to-End Encrypted Voice and Video Calls by Default

Discord now supports end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for voice and video calls by default across all platforms. Users can now rest assured that their calls are protected whether they are made on desktop, mobile, the web, or on PlayStation and Xbox.

In a blog post, Discord’s VP of Core Technology, Mark Smith, says that E2EE runs on DAVE. Smith explains that DAVE is an open and audited protocol introduced by Discord in September 2024. The E2EE security covers calls within direct messages, voice channels and Go Live streams.

Smith assures users that there is no opt-in function for E2EE for most functions. The encryption now spans most of Discord by default, so users won’t have to toggle anything or change their settings. The larger exception is that E2EE isn’t supported with Stage channels, as these are broadcasts to an audience rather than closed chats.

“We have no current plans to extend E2EE to text messages,” Smith also confirmed. It appears that many features in Discord were built “on the assumption that text isn’t end-to-end encrypted.” Smith explains that rebuilding them to function with E2EE would be a “meaningful engineering challenge.”

The E2EE support was built slowly and methodically, according to Smith. The company had to address complications in which a single Discord call could include voice and video and span devices such as PCs, laptops, smartphones, and consoles.

“Building an E2EE protocol that works seamlessly across all of those surfaces simultaneously is, to my knowledge, unlike anything else that’s been shipped,” Smith says. “DAVE is likely one of the internet’s most platform-diverse E2EE voice and video implementations.”  Currently, Discord is removing all remaining client code that enables unencrypted fallback. So, E2EE calls and DMs will be the only option moving forward.

Recently, Discord announced its new partnership with Xbox, offering a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass with Discord Nitro subscriptions. Those with Discord’s $13.99 subscription gain access to the base Xbox Game Pass benefits.