Short answerUse your app's recovery method: a recovery phrase or key (VaultBolt uses 12 words), a recovery email, or a security question. If the vault encrypts with keys only you hold and you have no recovery phrase, the developer cannot get your files back.
First, try the obvious
- Biometrics. If Face ID was enabled, it may still open the vault even if you forgot the code.
- Old codes and patterns. People often reuse a pattern from an older phone.
- Your app's recovery screen. Look for "Forgot code", "Use recovery phrase" or "Reset".
Recovery methods, from safest to riskiest
| Method | Who can use it |
|---|---|
| Recovery phrase or key you wrote down | Only you |
| Encrypted export file plus its password | Only you |
| Recovery email | You, and anyone who controls your email |
| Security question | Anyone who can guess the answer |
| Developer reset | The developer, and anyone who tricks support |
In VaultBolt
- On the unlock screen, tap Use recovery phrase.
- Enter your 12 words.
- Set a new pattern, PIN or passphrase.
If you have lost both your code and your phrase, nobody can decrypt the vault. That is the price of a vault that no one else can open.
Make sure it never happens
- Write the phrase on paper and store it with other important documents.
- Use an unlock you can remember; a long passphrase can be easier to remember than a random PIN.
- Let VaultBolt's periodic reminders ask you to check your phrase.
Frequently asked questions
Can VaultBolt support reset my code?
No. There is no account and no back door. Enter your 12-word recovery phrase on the unlock screen to set a new code.
Will deleting and reinstalling the app reset the password?
For encrypted vaults, reinstalling usually deletes the local vault. Never do this unless you have a backup and a way to restore it.
