Keep a recovery copy you control.

A saved encrypted backup and its separate recovery code can recover the files in that snapshot if the source device or key is lost. There is no automatic cloud backup or account reset.

Backup type

Manual encrypted snapshot

Later changes

Require a new snapshot

Recovery code

Unique to each backup

Received files

Excluded

Before you start

Choose somewhere outside the source device for the encrypted backup, and a separate safe place for its code. Anyone with both can recover the saved files. Keep important originals until you have checked the destination copy. Finish other file operations and make sure the source and destination have enough free space.

Create and save an encrypted backup

1. Open Encrypted backup

   On iPhone, go to Settings → Encrypted backup. On Mac, go to About your vault → Encrypted backup….

2. Prepare the backup

   Choose Prepare an encrypted backup. Vault displays a newly generated recovery code.

3. Store the complete code separately

   Save the full code somewhere separate from the future .vaultbackup file. Then turn on I saved this code separately from my backup and enter its last six characters in the confirmation field.

4. Create and verify the snapshot

   Choose 2. Create and verify backup. Keep Vault open while it checks every saved file. Wait for Backup verified.

5. Save the verified file

   Choose 3. Save encrypted backup… and select a destination that remains available if the source device is lost. Creating the temporary snapshot is not the same as completing this save.

Check the file you actually saved

1. Choose the destination copy

   Under Check a saved backup, choose Choose a backup… and select the file from its saved destination.

2. Enter its complete recovery code

   Use the full code generated for this exact snapshot, then choose Verify backup.

3. Read the verification result

   Look for Every saved file verified, together with the file count, folder count, size and snapshot date.

Verification reads every saved file without changing the current vault. It helps catch an incomplete destination copy or a code stored for a different snapshot.

Restore into a fresh vault

Restore is available before setting up a vault. It does not merge into or replace an existing vault, including an empty or damaged one.

1. Choose Restore an encrypted backup

   Use the welcome screen on a fresh installation or another device.

2. Select the backup and enter its full code

   Choose the retained .vaultbackup file, enter the matching recovery code and select Verify and restore.

3. Let Vault verify and re-encrypt

   The snapshot is checked and files are re-encrypted under the destination device’s local key before the new vault is installed.

4. Check the recovered library

   After Restored into a new device-protected vault, open sample files and decide where to keep the next recovery pair.

When backup or restore fails

• Enter the whole recovery code, not only the six-character creation confirmation.
• Verify that the code belongs to the selected snapshot.
• An existing vault cannot be replaced; preserve it and use the fresh-vault route.
• Check free storage and keep provider files downloaded and accessible.
• Vault cannot reset a lost recovery code.
• Received shares are intentionally absent after restore; reopen the original package using its sender’s code.