Sync

  • Sync Your Database Across Devices (iPhone, iPad & Mac)

    Syncing keeps your database up to date across your devices. It also ensures that if you lose a device you do not also lose your database and you can restore it to a new device. Unlike many other password managers, Strongbox gives you control over your data and allows you to choose how you sync y...
  • Wi-Fi Sync: What is it and How Do I Use it?

    What is Wi-Fi Sync? Wi-Fi Sync is a way to keep your password databases in sync across devices and only on those devices. It doesn’t require a server, cloud drive or any cumbersome one time copies, transfers or merges. Wi-Fi Sync keeps databases in sync over a local network. Yes, although we cal...
  • Move Your Database to a New Storage Location

    Sometimes you might want to move an existing database from one storage location to another, such as from iCloud to OneDrive. Your Strongbox database is a single file. You need to locate that file and then move or copy it to the new storage location. This is done outside of the Strongbox app. Aft...
  • What Is the Best Way To Sync With iCloud?

    There are two ways to access your databases on iCloud: The Official Strongbox iCloud Folder (Recommended) By using iOS Files to access your iCloud Drive The recommended way is to use the official iCloud Strongbox folder. This is because sometimes iOS Files references can become stale and need to...
  • Where To Store Your Database File in iCloud

    There are two ways to add databases via iCloud iCloud dedicated Strongbox folder via iOS Files app Method 1 – iCloud Native Strongbox Folder For method 1, if you already have a database on your iCloud Drive, it needs to be in the specific Strongbox folder before it will automatically appear in ...
  • Sync Your Database Using the “Files Method”

    If the cloud storage provider you want to use is not natively supported by Strongbox, it should still be possible to use them to sync your database. In order to work with Strongbox on iPhone and iPad, your cloud storage provider needs to offer an iOS app that integrates with the iOS Files app. F...
  • Sync With a Cloud Storage Provider That Isn’t on the List of Storage Locations (Using the “Files Method”)

    If the cloud storage provider you want to use is not in the list of available storage locations, it should still be possible to use them to sync your database. If your cloud storage provider offers an app that creates a sync folder anywhere on your Mac, then it should work with Strongbox. And in...
  • My Favourite Cloud Storage Provider Doesn't Sync Reliably with the iOS Files App

    Unfortunately some third party providers do not integrate well with iOS Files. Strongbox can only do it's part, which consists of requesting the latest data and asking the provider to update the data. All issues then stem from the third party not doing a good job on honouring these instructions. ...
  • Transfer or copy a database to an iPhone/iPad without using the cloud

    There are a number of ways to import or copy a local-only database to an iPhone or iPad, either from a Mac or another iOS device: AirDrop – This might open Strongbox immediately to Add, or you may have to select Strongbox from the list Transfer over local Wi-Fi or LAN – Tap + > More… > Tra...
  • Keep a Local Database Up to Date Between Mac and iPhone/iPad

    If you store a local copy of your database on your iOS device, it will not automatically sync changes with your other devices. You may wish to update this local database with changes you've made on another device, whilst still preserving the settings you've selected for this database. There are ...
  • Share a Database with Friends or Family on iCloud

    Now that Apple allows you to share files on your iCloud you can set Strongbox up so that you can share a database with your friends or family. That is if you both use iCloud! To get started, create a new database in Strongbox. It is recommended that you create this database in the native Strongb...
  • Access Your Databases Files Stored in the Cloud

    It depends on your cloud storage 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 ...
  • Open Your Database Offline

    If your device has a slow or unreliable internet connection, your database can take a long time to open. This is happening because Strongbox is trying to check for changes to your database but cannot complete this check. If you're having issues opening your database because of an unreliable inte...
  • Use Two Different Accounts for a Cloud Storage Provider

    You can add databases from two different accounts with the same cloud storage provider (two different Dropbox accounts for example). To do this in the Strongbox app: Add the First Database: Open Strongbox. Choose "Add Existing." Select your cloud storage provider. Log in and select the database ...
  • Why Am I Asked To Log In to My Cloud Provider Again?

    If you are storing your database on one of the cloud providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, then Strongbox needs to maintain a session with that provider to access your database. After a while Strongbox’s session will expire and the cloud provider will want you to sign in again to all...
  • Use a Username/Password or Private Key for SFTP on iOS

    Strongbox supports both Username and Password and Private Key authentication for your SFTP server. Username/Password is very straightforward, simply enter them in the fields provided. For a private key based authentication, you will need to point Strongbox at your key by locating it via the Fil...
  • Access Databases on Two Different Dropbox/Google/OneDrive Accounts (e.g. Personal or Work)

    This is possible using a workaround. Strongbox native providers are usually limited to accessing one account at a time. However what you can do is take advantage of the "Files Method" for your second or alternative database. So you can add the first database using: Add Existing > Dropbox/Goog...
  • Sync Strongbox With Cryptomator

    Unfortunately Cryptomator is not currently supported. On iOS, Cryptomator integrates with the Files app. This integration is unreliable and therefore leads to sync issues in Strongbox. For the vast majority of people, we think that the standard level encryption offered by Strongbox is secure en...
  • Sync Your Database With Nextcloud or ownCloud (Without Using the “Files Method”)

    There a 2 methods you can use. The iOS Files method and the WebDAV method. Both are described below. The main difference is that the WebDAV method seems to be a slightly more reliable sync, but a little slower. There appear to be some reported issues with the Nextcloud app’s integration with the ...
  • Sync Strongbox with MEGA/Mega Cloud

    Mega does not provide an API for native integration. However, you can try connecting via iOS Files, you’ll need the Mega app installed on iOS. Unfortunately, from reports, their iOS Files integration doesn’t seem to work very well. This is an issue worth raising with them.
  • Sync Your Database With pCloud

    Update 20 September 2022: pCloud have made WebDAV a paid feature so you may need to upgrade to use WebDAV. Yes and WebDAV is the best method. There are apparently some issues related to pClouds integration with iOS Files. Instructions for WebDAV Simply tap + > Add Existing > WebDAV, then...
  • Sync Your Database With a Microsoft OneDrive Library

    Because the native OneDrive SDK doesn't supports libraries, the best way to do this is via the Files method. You need to install the OneDrive app and to be able to view your library through the iOS Files app. Once you can do this you can add to Strongbox. Either tap + > Add Existing > File...
  • Why Does Dropbox Need Access to All My Folders? Why So Many Permissions? Can I Use It in a More Restricted Mode?

    There are two modes that Strongbox can access Dropbox in. Full mode and App Folder Only mode. The default is Full mode. This is because we have many users with files stored in their own preferred folder  structure on their Dropbox, and they don't want to centralize them in a single folder/locatio...
  • What is Lazy Sync?

    Lazy sync is an experimental/advanced feature. It's not on by default because it can lead to more sync/merge issues. You can end up working with an older copy by editing before a sync happens, and it can lead to confusion. That said, if you're comfortable dealing with sync/merge then it can be a...
  • What permissions does my user need for SFTP or my SFTP Updates are not working

    Basic Permissions Typically you will need read/write permissions as a pre-requisite. On top of this Strongbox by default now works in "Atomic Write" mode which helps prevent interrupted or terminated network transfers from corrupting your database file. For this to work you will also need permi...