The process for decrypting a message is identical to encrypting in cryptography terms the mechanism is reciprocal. Your encrypted message is now printed on the paper tape.ДЇirst, turn the rotors back so your original message key letters are showing in the windows. For real machines without a printer there would usually have been two operators, one to press and hold the keys and the other to write down which letters lit up, but you don't need to do that. Type a short message using the keys in the lower part of the machine.

If you already have some letters printed on the paper tape, click on the tape and then select 'Clear' to tear it off and start again. These letters are your message key you should remember them or write them down so you will be able to decrypt your message. Turn each of the rotors so that a particular set of letters that you choose is showing. Only a few real Enigma machines had a printer, but we have included it so you can use it for some cool things in the simulator. The enciphered letter is also printed on a paper tape, shown just above the lamps. This shows the enciphered result of the letter you pressed.ДЈ. In the middle part of the machine one of the lamps marked with a letter lights up. In certain positions some of the other rotors may also move.Дў. The right-hand rotor moves round by one step.

Pressing and holding a key does three things:ДЎ. To change which letter is showing, push/drag the serrated wheel at the right of each letter up or down to rotate the ring and the scrambling wiring inside it. On smaller devices like phones, the layout is 'scrunched up' to make best use of the space available on bigger devices such as tablets, the spacing between the keys and indicators is more realistic. Designed to give the experience of using a real Enigma machine, as far as possible within the limitations of a flat screen.

Enigma simulator download