Your private messages and your devices

Your private messages can only be read by you and the person you're writing to. Here's how to get them back on a new phone or a new computer.

Protected messages

Each private message is locked on your device before it leaves, and only opens on the device of the person who receives it. In between, not even Zetboo can read it.

These keys are stored in each of your devices. That's why a new device has to receive them to read your old messages.

1A new device: link it

This is the everyday case: a new phone, another browser, one more computer.

  1. Sign in to Zetboo on the new device. It shows a QR code and a 12-character code.
  2. On a device that's already signed in, open: Settings → Link a device
  3. With a phone, scan the QR code. With a computer, type the code.

A few seconds later, the new device opens with all your messages.

Good to know

The code never goes through the server: only someone who sees your screen knows it. It works only once and is worthless after 5 minutes.

2The backup key

When you create your account, Zetboo shows you a 20-character backup key, for example K7PM-Q2XD-9HFT-ZW4B-R8NC.

You only need it if you no longer have any other device to link the new one: a lost phone and a replaced computer, for example. On the new device, choose “I don't have any other device anymore”, then enter your key.

Tip

Write it on paper or in a password manager, like a spare house key. You can see it again at any time: Settings → See my backup key

3Your key isn't at hand

Choose “I'll add it later”. You get into Zetboo right away:

  • your new private messages are written and read as usual;
  • your old private messages are hidden (🔒), not lost.

Once you've found your key: Settings → Enter my backup key. Your old messages become visible again.

You can also receive it from another signed-in device: Settings → Receive my backup key.

4Key lost, and no other device left

This is the only case where old private messages can no longer be read on the new device. Settings → I lost my key creates a new key: your new messages start working normally again.

Warning

Zetboo can't recover your key: that's exactly what stops anyone from reading your messages. Before choosing “I lost my key”, check that none of your devices is still signed in: just one is enough to link everything.

Common questions

Do I have to link the device every time I sign in?

No. Just once per device. After that it keeps its keys, as long as you don't clear the browser's data.

I cleared my browser's data

For Zetboo, it's a new device: link it from another device, or enter your backup key.

Are room messages locked too?

No: in a room, all participants read the messages. Only private messages between two people are locked this way.

How long are messages kept?

30 days, as the terms of service say. They are then deleted automatically.

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