How to Open a GPG File
Open a GPG or PGP encrypted file with GnuPG or a compatible OpenPGP application and the required private key or passphrase. The extension alone does not reveal whether it contains an encrypted message, a key or a signature.
Choose what you need
Identify the OpenPGP object
Ask the sender whether the file is encrypted data, a key or a signature. An armored file may show a BEGIN PGP header in a text editor; binary OpenPGP files require a compatible parser. Do not import an unfamiliar private key or publish secret material just to identify an attachment.
Decrypt a file you are authorized to read
In GnuPG, a typical workflow is gpg --output recovered.bin --decrypt message.gpg. Choose a new output filename and allow the application to prompt for the required secret. Public-key encryption needs the corresponding private key; password-based encryption needs the correct passphrase.
After successful decryption, identify and open the recovered content using its actual format. Preserve the encrypted original until the output has been checked.
No secret key, bad passphrase or signature instead of content
No secret key means the required decryption key is unavailable in the current setup; importing only a public key does not solve that. A detached signature needs the original document for verification and is not an encrypted copy of it.
For a transferred public key, verify its fingerprint independently before trusting it. GPG, PGP and ASC filenames may represent related OpenPGP objects, but changing the extension does not decrypt or repair them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open GPG without a key?
An encrypted file requires its corresponding private key or password. A generic file converter cannot provide missing credentials.
Are PGP and GPG files related?
They can contain OpenPGP objects used by compatible applications. Determine the object type and encryption requirements rather than relying on the suffix.
Sources and further reading
Opening routes checked against the references below on October 11, 2026. Device menus, software support and protection policies can change.