---
title: Email recovery: keep your recovery key in your inbox
canonical: https://mavaul.com/features/email-recovery/
description: Mavaul's 24-character recovery key is the way back in if you forget your passcode. Email recovery sends a copy to your inbox, confirmed with a code. The server keeps nothing.
format: text/markdown
generator: scripts/generate-llms.js
---
# Email recovery

If you forget your passcode, your 24-character recovery key is the way back in. Email recovery puts a copy in your inbox ahead of time, so you have it when you need it. The address is confirmed with a code first, and Mavaul's server keeps nothing.

## How it works
1. While the vault is open, go to Settings, then Recovery Key, and type your email.
2. Mavaul emails a 6-digit code to that address. Type it into the app, so the key can't go to a typo or someone else's inbox.
3. Mavaul then emails you the key. Look for “Mavaul Recovery Key”.
4. Forgot your passcode later? On the lock screen tap Forgot Passcode, type the key from the email, and set a new passcode.

## The details
| Spec | Email recovery |
| --- | --- |
| Sends | Your 24-character recovery key |
| Confirmation | 6-digit code sent to the same address first |
| When | From Settings, while the vault is unlocked |
| Stored by Mavaul | Nothing but rate-limit counters. The key is never logged |
| Limits | 5 codes and 10 key attempts per address per day |
| Plan | Premium. On Free you write the key down yourself |

## Good to know
- You can't ask for the email from the lock screen. Mavaul doesn't keep a readable copy of the key, so send it while you still know your passcode.
- Anyone with that email and a copy of your backup can open your vault. Keep the email safe, or write the key down and delete the email.
- The email only helps if you set it up first. Without the key, nobody can open the vault, including us.

## Questions
### What if I forget my Mavaul passcode?
Type your 24-character recovery key on the lock screen (Forgot Passcode), then set a new passcode. With email recovery, the key is already in your inbox.

### Can Mavaul reset my passcode for me?
No. We never have your key. That's what keeps the vault private, and why the recovery key matters.

### Why is there a confirmation code?
So the key only goes to an inbox you can actually read, not a typo.

### Does Mavaul store my recovery key?
No. The server passes it to the email and keeps only rate-limit counters.

## More features
- [Encrypted backup](/features/encrypted-backup/). Back up to Dropbox, Nextcloud or Files, encrypted on the phone first. Mavaul never hosts it.
- [Face ID & passcode](/features/face-id-passcode/). Open with a glance or a 4-digit code that isn't your phone's. Locks the moment you leave.
- [On-device encryption](/features/on-device-encryption/). AES-256-GCM on the iPhone for every photo, video and album name. No account, no Mavaul cloud.
- [All features](/features/). Everything in Mavaul, free and Premium.

## Try Mavaul
[Download Mavaul on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/pt/app/mavaul-photo-video-vault/id6759567727?l=en-GB)