Recovery code

The recovery code is a long random phrase. It opens your workspace on a new device when none of the old ones are left.

The workspace is encrypted with a key that exists only on your devices. Access can't be reset "by email". Without the code and without your devices the data can't be read: neither by you nor by the author of MindDuck.

How to create it

1. Open Settings, expand the Recovery code step and click Open recovery.
2. In the Emergency access block click Set up recovery, then Create recovery code.
3. Keep the code outside this device (Copy code copies it).
4. Enter the code again in Enter the code again to confirm and click Confirm saved code.

You're done when you see Recovery code confirmed on this device. An unconfirmed code doesn't work: if the window closed too early, MindDuck shows The previous code was not confirmed; click Create a new code.

You can't view the code again, only replace it.

Where to keep it

• Good: a password manager; paper in a safe place.
• Bad: a note on the same device; a screenshot in a cloud photo gallery; an email to yourself.

After creating it

• If you use sync, click Sync now: the code starts working through Google Drive and on other devices.
• Make a new backup. Backups made earlier can't be restored with this code.

How to recover with the code

Through Google Drive

1. On the start screen of the new device click Connect existing workspace → I have no other device - use my recovery code.
2. Enter the code in Recovery code and click Recover from Google Drive.
3. Sign in to the same Google account that was used for sync.

From a backup file

1. On the start screen click Recover from a backup file.
2. Choose the .mindduckbackup file and enter the code and a device name.
3. Click Recover workspace.

This file cannot be recovered with a code means the backup was made before the code was confirmed. You need a newer one.

Replacing the code

If the code may have fallen into someone else's hands or is lost: Sync & backup → Emergency access → Replace recovery code. Then Sync now and a new backup. Don't throw away the old code until you have a new backup: older backups open only with it.