General

• Can I open my databases on Android, Windows or other devices? Can I use Strongbox?

  Yes, you can open your databases on many different platforms. Depending on whether your database is in Password Safe or KeePass format, you can find a client that is compatible. For the Password Safe format, here is a link to a short list of compatible clients, you can probably find many more wi...

• Can I See Previously Used Passwords for an Entry (Password History)?

  Yes! On Mac, you can highlight an entry then go to the menu bar and choose Item > View History. On iPhone or iPad, open an entry, scroll to the bottom of the screen and choose Entry History.

• Can I store images, videos, PDF's or other formats in Strongbox?

  This depends on the underlying file format you choose to use. You can choose to use KeePass or Password Safe formats. For the KeePass format, yes, you can add any attachment(s) you like to each entry in the database. It is recommended that you keep the file size small in general, particularly if...

• Can I use my own passwords or do I have to use Strongbox generated ones?

  Yes, you can use whatever you like as your passwords. Strongbox will helpfully generate and suggest good passwords (which can also be configured) but you are free to ignore these suggestions.

• Does Strongbox run on Apple Silicon (e.g. is Strongbox supported on M1 MacBooks)?

  Yes, Strongbox runs natively on Apple Silicon 🚀 😎

• Does Strongbox support KeePass Placeholders and Field References?

  Yes, Strongbox supports a subset of the available placeholders and field references. They are: {TITLE} {USERNAME} {URL} {URL:RMVSCM} {URL:SCM} {URL:HOST} {URL:PORT} {URL:PATH} {URL:QUERY} {URL:USERINFO} {URL:USERNAME} {URL:PASSWORD} {PASSWORD} {NOTES} {S:FieldName} {REF:@:} For a full reference ...

• Do you recommend a TOTP plugin for KeePass on Windows

  While we can't personally vouch for plugins we have heard the the KeeTrayTOTP plugin is the best TOTP plugin available for KeePass on Windows at the moment: https://keepass.info/plugins.html#keetraytotp It works with the native KeePass TimeOTP-* fields which Strongbox also supports.

• How do I access my cloud databases?

  It depends on your cloud provider. If you are using iCloud, then you will be able to save or open your databases from the Strongbox iCloud folder in the usual fashion. You should click File > Open or File > Save as appropriate and select the location as usual from the dialog. For other pr...

• How do I change the default username/email for new entries?

  When you create a new entry, Strongbox will suggest a username/email that you've used previously. By default this is your most used username/email. If you would like to change the suggestion, you can do so by clicking on the 'Defaults...' button on the Edit screen.

• How do I clean up or reduce the size of my database?

  We always recommend keeping your database as small as possible, this makes for faster syncs and unlocks. In particular we recommend keeping your database below 4MB or so. When you add attachments or many custom icons or FavIcons the size of your database can grow quite quickly. Methods for Reduc...

• How do I use a Key File with my KeePass database on an iOS Device?

  To use a key file on your device, you can import it when you are asked to select a key file during the unlock process. You can import it from anywhere in iOS Files or from Strongbox’s local documents directory. You can copy the key file into Strongbox using iTunes File Sharing or the iOS Files ap...

• How do I use TOTP or Two Factor Codes?

  You can setup a TOTP or Two Factor code from the Edit Record screen. There is a TOTP/2FA button. This will give you a choice to scan a QR code with the camera (iOS Only), or enter the secret or OTPAuth URL manually. Once the secret/otpauth URL has been scanned then Strongbox will display the code...

• Is Strongbox compatible with other Password Safe formats?

  Yes, Strongbox is compatible with any application that supports version 3 of the Password Safe file format. You can find a list of clients for various platforms at the official Password Safe site here: https://pwsafe.org/relatedprojects.shtml

• Is there a limit to attachment sizes?

  There is no logical or hard limit to attachment sizes either per entry or in total, but usually once you get beyond a few megabytes in total database size some applications (including Strongbox) will struggle. Usually if you want to store large attachments you’re better off using an encrypted vo...

• Is there a Strongbox app for Windows, Linux or Android?

  Unfortunately not at the moment, but there are many compatible apps on all these platforms that will let you view and edit your Strongbox databases. Strongbox uses the KeePass database format (by default) so you can use apps like: KeePass (Windows and other platforms) KeePassXC (Windows / Mac / ...

• Is There a Way to Delete Unused FavIcons or Custom Icons?

  By default, Strongbox does not clean up or remove unused custom icons from databases. This is because many people like to have a set of custom icons in their databases that they can pick and choose from. However, some users prefer to keep things neat and tidy in regards to icons and also prefer t...

• My Face ID or Touch ID (Biometric convenience unlock) has stopped working

  This is usually because either iOS Face/Touch ID has been disabled or because Strongbox convenience unlock has been disabled. There are 2 locations (1 global and 1 specific to the database) for this setting in Strongbox. You’ll need to check both are toggled on. The 2 locations are: App Prefere...

• My special, third party or SwiftKey keyboard doesn't work with Strongbox on iOS

  Strongbox disallows third party keyboards by default for security reasons. This may be interfering with your special keyboard. You can enable third party keyboards here: - Preferences > Advanced Preferences > Miscellaneous > Allow Third Party Keyboards > Switch ON

• What are the little icons that appear beside my database?

  Occasionally, we receive questions about little icons beside your database, and what do they mean. So, we decided to give you an overview of each icon and what it represents in Strongbox. Blue Rocket - This is a quick launch, it immediately launches your database when you open Strongbox to save ...

• What is Strongbox's URL scheme and Bundle ID?

  Th URL Scheme is simply: strongbox and the Bundle ID is: com.markmcguill.strongbox com.markmcguill.strongbox.pro (for purchasers of the Outright / Upfront / Non In-App Purchase editions) You may need this for Microsoft InTune or other purposes.

• What is the minimum version of iOS or macOS you support?

  The minimum platform versions required to run Strongbox are: iOS 14.0 macOS 10.15

• What is the "Quick Launch" feature on iOS and what does "Launch at Startup" do on MacOS?

  The Quick Launch feature is a way to automatically launch any database of your choice from your list of databases whenever you switch to the Strongbox app. This means as soon as you launch Strongbox or switch to it from another app or the home screen, you will be prompted to enter your credential...

• What is "URL Smart Fill" under "New Entry Defaults" on MacOS?

  New Entry Defaults (Strongbox > Preferences > New Entry Defaults) allows you to customize the initial values of the fields like Title, Username, URL etc when you create a new entry. This is a time-saver and can be quite handy. Within the New Entry Defaults preferences screen there is the o...

• What's the difference between Strongbox and Bitwarden?

  The answer is, like a lot of things in life, it depends. Both are password managers, but they’re different and it will depend on what problem you’re trying to solve and what level of tech savvy and complexity you feel comfortable with. Strongbox leaves a lot of options up to you, Bitwarden reduce...

• What version of KeePass does Strongbox support?

  Strongbox supports versions 1 and 2 of the KeePass format, that is, both the KDB and KDBX formats. It supports all versions of the KeePass 2 (KDBX) formats (currently 3.1, 4.0 and 4.1). Because KeePass uses a pluggable architecture some KeePass files using special plugins may not be supported b...

• Why doesn't copy and paste work between my Mac and iPhone?

  This is configurable (it’s called “Handoff”) and by default this is switched off for security reasons, but you can change it if you like. Go to Preferences > Advanced > Allow Clipboard Handoff.