What is the Recovery Code? Why do I need it?
Your Recovery Code is the only way to recover your synced data if you lose access to all the devices on which you have enabled DuckDuckGo Sync & Backup. It provides full, unencrypted access to all your data — so, first and foremost, make sure to keep the Recovery Code private and do not share it with anyone.
While setting up Sync & Backup, you will be encouraged to save your Recovery Code. Copy and paste the code into a safe place, such as a password manager, and/or download a recovery PDF which includes both a QR code and the full Recovery Code text.
What is Restore on App Reinstall?
If you ever need to delete and reinstall the DuckDuckGo app, Restore on App Resintall allows you to quickly restore your bookmarks, passwords, Duck.ai chats, and credit cards on the same device.
After reinstalling, you’ll be asked if you’d like to restore your synced data. If you choose to, your information is decrypted locally on your device, and no Recovery Code is needed.
When Sync & Backup is enabled, an encrypted token is securely stored in your device’s iOS keychain, making your phone the key to unlock your data. This token never leaves your device and is never sent to any server. It simply lets the app recognize that your data can be safely restored on this device.
You can turn off Restore on App Reinstall at any time in Settings > Sync & Backup.
Why is it beneficial to setup Sync & Backup on more than one device?
Setting up Sync & Backup on more than one device makes your bookmarks and passwords easily accessible on each of your devices. If one of your devices is lost or damaged, or if you’re setting up a new device, you can use the second device to recover previously synced data on your replacement device.
If I lose my device, how can I recover my data?
To recover your data, you’ll either need your Recovery Code or another device with Sync & Backup already enabled. To recover your data using the Recovery Code:
- Open the DuckDuckGo browser
- Go to Settings > Sync & Backup
- Select Recover Synced Data
- Follow the on-screen instructions, then either:
- Scan the QR code
- Enter the alphanumeric code from your recovery PDF
To recover your data using a second device, follow the steps outlined in Syncing New Devices to add the new device to Sync & Backup.
I lost my device, lost my Recovery Code, and do not have Sync & Backup currently enabled on any of my other devices. Is there any way to recover my data?
No, unfortunately not – that’s why it’s important to keep your Recovery Code in a safe place, and/or use Sync & Backup on multiple devices. Because Sync & Backup is end-to-end encrypted, DuckDuckGo does not have your Recovery Code and cannot provide access to your data in this scenario.
Does my Sync & Backup data ever expire?
If you turn off Sync & Backup on all your devices, or delete the DuckDuckGo app from all devices where Sync & Backup was enabled, your encrypted data will remain on DuckDuckGo's server for 18 months from the last time one of your devices accessed the backup. After 18 months of inactivity, this data will be deleted from DuckDuckGo servers and cannot be recovered. Any data already stored locally on your device will remain on that device.