Uploading and Downloading Files

This guide shows how to upload files to your Encrypted Vault, download them again, and when to use the option to store a file without encryption.

Upload files

1. Open Vault and unlock it with your passphrase.
2. If you want the files in a folder, open that folder first.
3. Check the option under the Upload button. It should say Encrypt (recommended) for anything private.
4. Click Upload and choose one or more files.
5. A progress bar shows each file being encrypted, uploaded and saved. Keep the page open until it finishes and the list refreshes.

Each file is encrypted in your browser and sent straight to our storage. Our web servers only handle small requests: a one-time upload link, and the file's details once it's uploaded.

The largest file you can upload depends on your plan (500 MB on Vault Pro, 2 GB on Vault Business). If a file is too big, or your storage is full, you'll see a message and that file won't upload.

Large files: your browser encrypts the whole file in memory before uploading it. For very large files, use a computer rather than a phone, and close other heavy tabs first.

Download files

1. Hover over the file in your vault.
2. Click the download button (Download & Decrypt for encrypted files).
3. Your browser downloads the encrypted file, decrypts it with your passphrase and saves it with its original name.

If you see "Decryption failed", make sure you unlocked the vault with the right passphrase, then try again.

Store a file without encryption (for playing in the browser)

Encrypted files have to be downloaded and decrypted before you can open them. If you want to stream a video, or view an image, audio file or PDF directly in the browser, you can store it unencrypted instead:

1. Untick Encrypt (recommended) under the Upload button. The label changes to warn you the file won't be encrypted.
2. Click Upload and choose the file.
3. When the upload finishes, the page reloads and the option goes back to Encrypt (recommended).

Unencrypted files are marked Unencrypted in your file list. Videos, images, audio and PDFs get a play button that opens them in the vault. Videos and audio can be sent to a TV using the Cast button (Chrome and Edge) or AirPlay (Safari and iOS) in the player controls.

Only do this for files you'd be happy for us, or anyone with a share link, to see. Unencrypted files aren't protected by your passphrase, and anyone with a share link to one can view it without a passphrase.

Storage

The bar at the top of your vault shows how much storage you've used and how many files you have. Encrypted files take up slightly more space than the originals. Deleting files frees up space straight away.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket and tell us your device, app version and what you've tried.