• Android
  • iOS
  • macOS
  • Windows

Backup Your Sync Key

Codebook uses a secure, randomly generated Sync Key for encrypting all of your data during sync. This 32-byte key is completely separate from your Codebook Master Password.

Why should I backup my Sync Key?

Your Sync Key is needed to encrypt and decrypt your data when syncing your devices. If a device is lost or destroyed, your Sync Key is needed to retrieve your data from your remote copy of your data (i.e. Google Drive or Dropbox or Codebook Cloud).

Options to Backup Your Sync Key

There are 3 methods to backup your Sync Key: Print Backup Code, Write Down Word List or Save as File. Codebook for iOS also has the option to backup your Sync Key to your Apple Wallet.

  1. Print Backup Code: Preferred Option One or two QR codes that contain your Sync Key are generated for you to print. They will be encrypted with your current master password. Remember to write down the Codebook Master Password of the device you are printing from in the space provided on the print out. This is convenient but should only be used if you are able to print through a hard wired connection or your printer is on a secure network. Be sure to save your printed Codebook Backup Code in a secure location. (Like a safe).
  2. Write Down Word List: Codebook's Sync Key Word List feature is designed to be used for backing up your Sync Key offline, without printing over a network. In addition, it can also be used when adding your Sync Key to a new device to enable syncing between the devices. If you choose the Word List option to backup you Sync Key, be sure to write it down and store it in a safe place.

    The Word List itself is a representation of your Sync Key encoded in a list of 20 words. Codebook displays the Word List as four lines of five words. When entered in the same order, these words allow you to reestablish your Sync Key. Carefully, write down these words as many of the possible words are very similar. The words need to be entered in the same order when trying to sync using a word list. These words do not contain any of your personal data. They are used to generate the same encryption key that is stored in your Sync Key.

    DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH or screenshot the Word List! Saving a digital copy of your Word List is NOT secure! The Word List is a representation of the Sync Key used to secure your data during Sync, and unlike the printed backup code, it is not encrypted with your Master Password. If an attacker were to get access to your photo or screenshot (from a cloud service or photo stream) and access to your sync data on a cloud service, they could use your Word List to decrypt your stored data. The Word List is only meant to be written down and stored in a safe place, offline.

  3. Save As File: A file that contains an encrypted copy of your sync key will be saved on your device. It is saved in a file called Codebook for iOS and Android or Codebook.synckey for macOS and Windows. It can also be used to Setup your Sync Key on a new device to enable syncing with the new device. This file along with your Master Password is to used to generate your Sync Key.

    If you choose the Save As File option to backup your Sync Key, please note that you need to remember your Master Password because it is needed to decrypt the file. You will also want to save a copy of the file on another device because we all know devices break.

Print Backup Code is the preferred option because your printed page contains your Sync Key QR code and your Master Passsword. Having your Master Password documented may come in handy. Suppose you are on a sabbatical and you do not access Codebook for a while. You return and realize you forget your Master Password, you have a record of it on your printed backup code.

On macOS

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to access this feature: enter the Master Password for this device, or authenticate with Touch ID when prompted.

    authenticate

  3. Click on Print Backup Code

    Prnt Backup Code Option

  4. Print the Codebook Backup QR Code that is displayed.
  5. Write down the Codebook Master Password of the device you are printing from in the space provided on the print out. Save this paper in a secure location.

    Print QR Code

On Windows

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to access this feature: enter your Master Password for this device. Click on OK

    Authenticate

  3. Select Print Backup Code and click Next
  4. Print the Codebook Backup QR Code that is displayed.

    Print QR Code

  5. Write down the Codebook Master Password of the device you are printing from in the space provided on the print out. Save this paper in a secure location.

    Print QR Code

On iOS

  1. Tap Sync > Backup Sync Key
  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID or Face ID, if setup for this device).

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  3. Tap on Print Backup Code
  4. Print the Codebook Backup QR Code that is displayed.
  5. Write down the Codebook Master Password for this device on the same sheet as the QR Code(s). Save this paper in a secure location.

    Backup Sync Key screen Backup Sync Key screen

On Android

  1. Tap on Home > Sync
  2. Tap Backup Sync Key
  3. You must authenticate to access this feature: enter your Master Password for this device, or authenticate with Fingerprint Authentication when prompted.

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  4. Tap Print Backup Code
  5. Tap Next
  6. Print the Codebook Backup QR Code that is displayed.
  7. Write down the Codebook Master Password for this device on the same sheet as the QR Code. Save this paper in a secure location.

    Backup Sync Key screen Backup Sync Key screen

On macOS

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID, if setup for this device).

    authenticate

  3. Click on Write Down Word List.

    Write World List Option

  4. Your Sync Key Word List will be displayed. Write down the 4 rows of 5 words (20 in total) and store it in a secure place, like a safe.

    World List Example

  5. Click on Done to close the window.

On Windows

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to access this feature: enter your Master Password for this device. Click OK

    Authenticate

  3. Click on Write Down Word List. Click on Next. Your Sync Key Word List will be displayed.

    Write Down Backup Word List Option

  4. Write down the 4 rows of 5 words (20 in total) and store it in a secure place, like a safe.

    Backup Word List

  5. Click on Done to close the window.

On iOS

  1. Tap Sync > Backup Sync Key
  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID or Face ID, if setup for this device).

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  3. Click on Write Down Word List. Your Sync Key Word List will be displayed.
  4. Carefully write down the 4 rows of 5 words (20 in total) and store it in a secure place, like a safe.
  5. Click on Done to close the window.

    Backup Sync Key Word List Option Backup Sync Key Word List

On Android

  1. Tap Home > Sync
  2. Tap Backup Sync Key
  3. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password. Tap Submit

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  4. Tap Write down Backup Word List
  5. Tap Next. Your Sync Key Word List will be displayed.
  6. Write down the 4 rows of 5 words (20 in total) and store it in a secure place, like a safe.
  7. Tap Done to close the window.

    Backup Sync Key Word List Option Backup Sync Key Word List

On macOS

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID, if setup for this device).

    authenticate

  3. Click on Save As File.

    Write World List Option

  4. The Saving Sync Key File screen will be displayed along with a popup window allowing you to specify where you would like to save your Codebook.synckey file.

    Click on Save to save the file.

    Sync Save File options

  5. To close the Saving Sync Key File screen click Done.

    NOTE: You will need to remember your Sync Key when using the Codebook.synckey file.

    Sync Save File options

On Windows

  1. Click on the Sync Menu > Backup Sync Key

    Sync options menu

  2. You must authenticate to in order to display the Backup your Sync Key options. Enter your Maser Password and click OK

    Authenticate

  3. Click Save Sync Key to file. Click Next

    Select Save as File Option

  4. You must enter your Master Password to export the Sync Key to a file. Click on OK

    Authenticate for Sync Key File export

  5. A popup window allowing you to specify where you would like to save your Codebook.synckey file will be displayed. Enter the file location and click Save

    Select Sync Key file save destination

  6. The Preparing Sync Key file will be displayed and you will be returned to the Codebook main window when after the file has been saved.

    Preparing backup Sync Key File

On iOS

  1. Tap Sync > Backup Sync Key
  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID or Face ID, if setup for this device).

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  3. Click on Save As File. Encrypting Sync Key File for Backup will be displayed.
  4. Follow the prompts to specify where you would like to save the file. The default file name is Codebook - notice the "key" icon.
  5. When your backup file has been saved - Sync Key file save completed successfully - will be displayed. Click on Done to return to the Sync Menu.

    Sync Backup Menu Sync Save File options Sync Save File Done

  1. Tap Sync > Backup Sync Key
  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID or Face ID, if setup for this device).

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  3. Click on Add to Apple Wallet. Creating Passes is displayed.
  4. Your Backup Sync Key is stored as 2 QR Codes. Click on Add All to save the passes to your Apple Wallet.

    Sync Backup Menu Sync Save File options Sync Save File Done

    Apple Wallet Sync Key backups are automatically synced to iCloud assuming you have iCloud Enabled and there's space available on your iCloud. You can verify this setting is enabled by visiting iOS Settings > Tap your Name at the Top > iCloud > Apps Using iCloud > Ensure the switch next to Wallet is on.

    Sync Save File Done

On Android

  1. Tap Home > Sync
  2. Tap Backup Sync Key
  3. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password. Tap Submit

    Sync screen Sync screen Authentication

  4. Tap Save As File. Tap Next. Encrypting Sync Key File for Backup ... will be displayed as the file is being created.
  5. Follow the prompts to specify where you would like to save the file.
  6. Tap Save to save your backup sync key file. Unless you change the name, it will be saved a Codebook.synckey.

    Sync Backup Menu Sync Save File options