Password and payment data sync lets you securely sync saved passwords and payment methods across your Shift Browser devices. Your passwords and payment methods are encrypted on your device before they're uploaded, and only devices with your secret key can unlock them.
This article explains how password and payment data sync protects your data, how your secret key works, and how to resolve common issues.
How password and payment data sync protects your data
Password and payment data sync uses zero-knowledge encryption.
Your passwords and payment methods are encrypted on your device before they're sent to Shift's servers. Shift stores only the encrypted data and can't decrypt or read it because only you have access to your Secret Key.
With password and payment data sync:
- Passwords and payment methods are encrypted before they're uploaded.
- Your secret key stays on your devices.
- Shift stores only encrypted data.
- The same secret key unlocks your passwords and payment methods on your other devices.
Important: Your secret key protects only passwords and payment methods. Other synced browser data, including bookmarks, settings, and browsing history, continues syncing normally and doesn't use your secret key.
How your secret key works
When you enable password and payment data sync, Shift Browser creates a unique secret key.
During setup, you'll be prompted to save the key as a PDF. Keep this file in a secure location because you'll need it whenever you add another device.
Here's how it works:
- Your first device generates the secret key during setup.
- Additional devices use the same key to unlock your encrypted passwords and payment methods.
- You will need to enter the Secret Key every time you sign in to Shift Browser.
Important: If you lose your secret key and don't have access to an unlocked device, Shift can't recover it.
What Shift can and can't access
Shift can see
- That your account uses sync.
- That encrypted password and payment data exists for your account.
- Whether a device has successfully unlocked that encrypted data.
Shift can't see
- Your secret key.
- Your saved passwords.
- Your saved payment methods.
- Your encrypted data in a readable form.
Because your secret key never leaves your devices, only devices you've unlocked can access your encrypted passwords and payment methods.
Troubleshoot password and payment data sync
My passwords or payment methods aren't showing on a new device
This usually means the device hasn't been unlocked with your secret key.
- Open Manage Sync.
- Select Enter Secret Key.
- Enter the secret key you saved during setup.
- Wait for your passwords and payment methods to sync.
Note: Bookmarks, settings, and other synced browser data continue syncing even if your passwords and payment methods remain locked.
I entered the wrong secret key
If the key doesn't match, Shift Browser lets you know.
Make sure you're using the same secret key that was created when you first enabled password and payment data sync.
Tip: Unless you changed the default name when saving, you can search for 'shift-recovery-kit' on your computer to find the file.
If another device is already unlocked, open Manage Sync on that device to view or copy your secret key.
I closed setup before saving my secret key PDF
Password and payment data sync isn't enabled until setup is complete.
If you close setup before saving the PDF, start the setup process again, and a new secret key will be generated.
I lost my secret key
Whether you can recover access to your data depends on whether you still have an unlocked device. An unlocked device is logged in and has had the secret key entered previously.
If you still have an unlocked device
Open Manage Sync on that device to view or copy your secret key.
If you don't have an unlocked device
Shift can't recover your secret key because it isn't stored on Shift's servers.
To continue using password and payment data sync:
- Open Manage Sync.
- Select Reset Data.
- Confirm the reset.
- Wait for the reset to finish.
- Select Set Up Passwords and Payments Sync.
- Select Generate to create a new secret key.
- Save the secret key PDF before completing setup.
- Select Done.
After the reset:
- Your encrypted passwords and payment methods are removed from Shift's servers.
- Passwords and payment methods already saved on your devices aren't affected.
- Bookmarks, settings, browsing history, and other synced browser data continue syncing normally.
- Your previous secret key no longer works.
Does turning off sync remove my local passwords?
No.
Turning off password or payment sync only stops future syncing. Passwords and payment methods already saved on your device stay there.
I signed back in after being signed out. Do I need to enter my secret key again?
Yes.
Once you sign out of Shift, you’ll need to enter your secret key. It needs to be entered after every sign-in.
Best practices
To avoid losing access to your encrypted data:
- Save your secret key PDF in a secure location.
- Keep at least one trusted device unlocked while setting up another device.
- Copy your secret key from an unlocked device before adding another device.
- Don't rely on memory alone to keep your secret key.
Saving your secret key in a safe location you’ll remember will make adding new devices much easier later.
Frequently asked questions
Does the password and payment data sync turn on automatically?
No. Password and payment data sync is optional and must be enabled separately. It isn't included with standard browser sync.
Does my secret key affect bookmarks or other synced browser data?
No. Your secret key protects only passwords and payment methods. Bookmarks, settings, browsing history, and other supported sync data continue syncing normally.
Can Shift Support recover my secret key?
No. Shift doesn't have access to your secret key and can't recover it if it's lost.
Can I use password and payment data sync on multiple devices?
Yes. Enter your saved secret key on each additional device to unlock your encrypted passwords and payment methods.
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