Your photo keys
Where photo protection is on. Go to: Profile → Photo keys.
Your photo key opens protected photos. It's made automatically the first time you open Vaultime on a phone or computer, and kept in that device's secure storage.
Your other devices:
| On | How it gets your key |
|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad or Mac with the same Apple account | Automatically, through iCloud Keychain (Automatic backup on) |
| Android, set up from your Google backup | Automatically, if Backup by Google and a screen lock are on |
| Any other device | Approve from my other device: open Vaultime on a device that's unlocked, check the six words match and hold to approve (then Face ID, Touch ID or fingerprint) |
| A web browser | See Unlock photos in a browser |
Ways back in (Profile → Photo keys):
- Recovery Kit: 24 words to print or save in a password manager. Anyone with them can open your photos, so keep them private.
- Backup file: your key in a small file, locked with a password you choose.
- Unlocked devices: every device and browser that can open photos, with Remove.
- Replace my photo key: if a device was lost or someone saw your Recovery Kit. Your old Recovery Kit, backup files, passkeys and photo password stop working.
Your own photos after a new key: each photo keeps a copy of its key for you. After you replace your key (or set one up for the first time), a key holder's device quietly restores those copies the next time they open Vaultime. Until then, Photo keys says 12 of your photos are being restored, and those photos show a lock for you. Managers can see them all along.
Security code: six words, shown on this screen, that a key holder checks before giving you access.
Approving a device: the request shows both devices linked by a moving line, the six words as numbered tiles, and a fingerprint button. Hold it for a second (a ring fills), then confirm with your Face ID, Touch ID or fingerprint. A quick tap won't approve, so an accidental tap can't let a device in. Decline if you didn't just sign in somewhere, then replace your photo key.
Example: Kim gets a new phone. She signs in, opens Profile → Photo keys → Approve from my other device, and on her laptop checks the six words match and holds to approve.