When a vault is created you get a recovery key: a long code that opens the vault without the passphrase. It is shown once.
- Keep it with Print (a sheet with the key and a QR code), Save as text, or Copy.
- Tick I have stored this key somewhere safe and offline.
- Type the last 6 characters of the key to confirm you have it right, then continue.
Store it away from the computer: a printed sheet in a drawer or safe, or a USB stick kept offline. Anyone holding it can open the vault, so treat it like the passphrase.
The fingerprint printed with the key identifies which sheet belongs to this vault; it reveals nothing about the key itself. You can see the current fingerprint in Settings → Security.
To replace a key that may have been seen, see Issuing a new recovery key. If you have forgotten your passphrase, see If you forget your passphrase.