> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elephas.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why Synced Data Can't Be Recovered (and How to Stay Safe)

> Elephas cannot recover your synced data, because only your own devices hold the keys. How to stay safe: keep Sync on two computers and keep your original files.

There is no password reset and no recovery for Personal Sync. Your synced data can only be read by your approved computers. If you lose all of them, nobody can recover it, including Elephas. Two simple habits keep you safe: sync at least two computers, and keep your original files.

<Info>
  Applies to Personal Sync, part of the Professional plan.
</Info>

## Why there is no recovery

The keys that unlock your synced Brains and chats are created on your computer and shared only with computers you approve. Elephas never receives a copy. Your Elephas account proves who you are to the sync service, but it does not hold the keys. In the app's words: "Your Elephas account alone cannot unlock it."

That design means Elephas cannot be made to open your data. It also means Elephas cannot restore it for you. There is no hidden recovery key, no email reset, and no copy of your keys on the server.

## Stay safe

<Steps>
  <Step title="Keep Sync on at least two computers">
    As long as one approved computer survives, it can approve a replacement and your synced data is intact. Add a second computer soon after you turn on Sync. See [Add a computer](/docs/sync-and-devices/add-a-device-to-sync).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep your original files">
    Elephas keeps its own copies of the files you add, but your PDFs, Word files and notes should also live somewhere you control and back up, such as your Documents folder with Time Machine or File History. If everything else fails, these are what you add again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Replace a computer before you retire it">
    When you get a new computer, add it to Sync and let it reach **Up to date** before you wipe or sell the old one. See [Move to a new computer](/docs/sync-and-devices/move-to-a-new-computer).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Don't delete the keys by hand">
    Deleting the "Elephas Next" entries from Keychain or Credential Manager on a computer makes its local data unreadable. See [Where your data is stored](/docs/privacy-and-security/where-your-data-is-stored).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How it works

| Situation | Result |
| - | - |
| You lose one computer, another still syncs | Nothing is lost. Revoke the lost one and approve a replacement from the survivor. |
| You can't sign in to your Elephas account | Regain access on the Elephas sign-in page in your browser. Your synced data is not affected, because your sign-in never unlocked it. |
| You lose every synced computer | Your synced data cannot be recovered by anyone. |
| You delete Elephas's data folder on your only synced computer | Same as losing it. |

Elephas also blocks the one action that would cause this by mistake: you cannot revoke your last synced computer.

## If you lost every synced computer

1. Install Elephas on your new computer and sign in.
2. [Contact support](/docs/troubleshooting/contact-support). Your account still has Sync turned on, so a new computer cannot start Sync as a first device, and it cannot be approved because no approved computer is left.
3. Add your documents again from your own copies.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Elephas says something synced here could not be opened">
    "Something synced here could not be opened with this computer's keys. Nothing local was altered." Your local data is fine. See [Sync troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting/sync-troubleshooting).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="This computer has not been given the encryption keys yet">
    Approve it from one of your other synced computers. See [Add a computer](/docs/sync-and-devices/add-a-device-to-sync).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sync encryption" href="/docs/privacy-and-security/sync-encryption" />

  <Card title="Add a computer" href="/docs/sync-and-devices/add-a-device-to-sync" />

  <Card title="Remove a device" href="/docs/sync-and-devices/remove-a-device" />

  <Card title="Turn on Sync" href="/docs/sync-and-devices/turn-on-sync" />
</CardGroup>


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