Backup and recovery

Last updated 2026-09-25

There is no account, so no one can reset your password for you.

Backup and recovery What you need in each case. A forgotten password: the 24 recovery words and a new password, or on a Mac, Touch ID you already turned on on that Mac. A new computer: the 24 words with sync, or a Memlore file without sync. When the cloud copy and this computer disagree: choose which copy to keep, after a safety file is written. If the password, Touch ID, and the 24 words are all lost, the journal cannot be opened, and a cloud copy does not change that. If What you need You forgot the password The 24 words + a new password On that Mac: Touch ID you turned on You set up a new computer With sync: the 24 words Without sync: a Memlore file The cloud and this computer disagree Choose which copy to keep A safety file is written first You lost every password, Touch ID, and the 24 words Cannot be opened A cloud copy does not change that Backup and recovery What you need in each case. A forgotten password: the 24 recovery words and a new password, or on a Mac, Touch ID you already turned on on that Mac. A new computer: the 24 words with sync, or a Memlore file without sync. When the cloud copy and this computer disagree: choose which copy to keep, after a safety file is written. If the password, Touch ID, and the 24 words are all lost, the journal cannot be opened, and a cloud copy does not change that. You forgot the password The 24 words + a new password On that Mac: Touch ID you turned on You set up a new computer With sync: the 24 words Without sync: a Memlore file The cloud and this computer disagree Choose which copy to keep A safety file is written first You lost every password, Touch ID, and the 24 words Cannot be opened A cloud copy does not change that

The recovery sheet

  • Your first password creates 24 recovery words, not a backup of entries.
  • Anyone with the PDF can read it; keep it offline, not in synced folders.
  • After you confirm you saved it, nothing can show the words again.
  • Until you confirm, a full export holds the words as readable text.

If you forget the password

  • Reset on this computer takes the 24 words and a new password.
  • Reset needs the sealed key on this computer; a journal set up before reset existed cannot reset here.
  • On a Mac, Touch ID you already turned on there still opens the journal.
  • Lose every password, Touch ID, and the words, and the journal cannot be opened, even with a cloud copy.

Copies you save

  • Exports are not encrypted; anyone with the file can read it.
  • A Memlore zip holds text, tags, and photos; a full export adds a readable database.
  • A plain-text zip has one file per entry, no photos.
  • Hidden entries skip plain text but are inside a full Memlore file as readable text, with their photos.
  • Entries with an extra password are in every export, even plain text.

Cloud copies and a new computer

  • Before you pick between cloud and computer, Memlore writes a safety file; its file list and photos are not encrypted.
  • A new computer joins with the words or QR code, or imports a Memlore file.