Questions, answered honestly
Including the uncomfortable ones. If something isn't covered here, the Security page goes deeper.
Security & privacy
Can anyone at ShareMyVault see what's inside my vault?
No. Your data is encrypted on your own device before it's ever saved. Our servers only ever hold scrambled data we have no way to read — that's what "zero-knowledge" means. There is no server-side decryption path in the product at all.
Is my data safe if your servers are breached?
Yes. Anyone who reached our servers would find only encrypted blobs and no keys to open them. The keys never leave your device.
What encryption do you use?
AES-256-GCM for data, Argon2id for turning your passphrase into a key, and a 24-word BIP-39 phrase for recovery — all via open-source, audited libraries. The full detail is on our Security page.
Could you be forced to hand over my data?
We could only ever hand over what we hold: ciphertext and the metadata needed to run the service. We cannot decrypt your vault for anyone, because the keys exist only on your devices.
Account & recovery
What's the difference between my password and my vault passphrase?
Your account password signs you in — it's a normal login. Your vault passphrase is separate and unlocks the encryption itself. Signing in shows your vault exists; only the passphrase can open what's inside.
What if I forget my vault passphrase?
Your 24-word recovery phrase unlocks your vault and lets you set a new passphrase. That's exactly what it's there for — keep it somewhere safe, like with your important papers.
What happens if I lose both my passphrase and recovery phrase?
Because only you can open your vault, only you can recover it. If both are lost, your data can't be restored — not by us, not by anyone. We're upfront about this because it's the trade-off that keeps your vault truly private.
Does my vault lock itself?
Yes. After 10 minutes of inactivity the key is wiped from memory and the vault locks. You can also lock it instantly from the sidebar.
Sharing & family
How do beneficiaries work?
You name the people who should receive your information and invite them by email. They create their own account — your keys are never sent to them or to us.
What do invitation emails contain?
Only who invited whom and a signup link. No vault content ever travels by email — the email system physically can't read your data.
Can I remove someone's access?
Yes, at any time, from the Beneficiaries or Trustees section of your vault.
Cost
How much does it cost?
Nothing right now. Every feature is free for everyone while we grow — no credit card, no time limit, no catch.
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. You can create a vault and start saving what matters right away — just an email address.
Is anything locked behind a paywall?
No. Passwords, assets, documents, wishes, unlimited beneficiaries and trustees — it's all unlocked for everyone, with the same zero-knowledge encryption.
Ready when you are.
Create your free vault