Why Your Master Password Matters
Your master password is the single key that unlocks your entire vault—including all the important information you're preserving for your family. It's the only password you'll ever need to remember, but it's also what your loved ones will need when the time comes.
Because Local Legacy Vault stores everything offline with zero-knowledge encryption, we never see or store your master password. This means:
- We can't recover it if you forget it
- No one can reset it for you
- Your family will need it to access your vault
Critical: If you forget your master password and haven't stored it somewhere safe, your vault data is permanently inaccessible. More importantly, your family won't be able to access the information you've prepared for them.
What Makes a Strong Master Password
A good master password is both strong (hard to guess or crack) and memorable (you won't forget it). Here's how to create one:
Use a Passphrase
Instead of a complex string of random characters, use a passphrase—a series of random words strung together. Passphrases are:
- Easier to remember than random characters
- Much longer, making them harder to crack
- Easy to type accurately
- Easy to write down for your family
Example Passphrases
Four random words connected with dashes. Easy to remember, extremely hard to crack.
Another Example
Words that mean something to you, with symbols and a year. Personal but not guessable.
Use Our Built-In Passphrase Generator
Don't want to come up with a passphrase yourself? Local Legacy Vault includes a built-in passphrase generator that creates strong, memorable passphrases for you.
When you first set up the app or change your master password, you'll see a "Generate Passphrase" button. Click it to instantly create a secure passphrase like:
Generated Passphrase Example
Four random words that are easy to remember but impossible to guess. The generator uses a dictionary of common English words to create combinations that are both secure and memorable.
You can:
- Regenerate until you find one you like
- Customize the number of words (3-6 words)
- Add numbers or symbols between words for extra security
- Copy it to write down before confirming
Tip: Generate a few options and pick the one that creates a mental image or story. "meadow-compass-harbor-willow" might remind you of a peaceful journey—that mental picture makes it unforgettable. Write it down and store it with your will so your family can access it when needed.
Do's and Don'ts
✓ Do This
- Use 4+ random, unrelated words
- Add numbers or symbols between words
- Make it at least 16 characters
- Write it down and store it with your will
- Tell a trusted family member where it's stored
- Practice typing it until it's muscle memory
✗ Don't Do This
- Use your name, birthday, or pet's name
- Use common phrases like "iloveyou"
- Reuse a password from another account
- Keep it only in your head
- Share it casually or store it insecurely
- Forget to tell family where to find it
Where to Store Your Master Password
Your master password needs to be accessible to your family after you're gone. Here are safe options:
- With your will – Store it in a sealed envelope with your attorney or in your safe with your will
- Safety deposit box – Put it there alongside other important documents
- Trusted family member – Give a sealed envelope to someone you trust completely
- Split storage – Write half in your will, half in a letter to your spouse
Important: Make sure at least one trusted person knows that this password exists and where to find it. The best-prepared vault is useless if no one can open it.
Telling Your Family
You don't need to share your password now, but your family should know:
- That Local Legacy Vault exists on your computer
- What kind of information it contains
- Where to find the master password when needed
- That they should NOT try to guess—they only get a few attempts
Never store your master password: In a text file on your computer, in your email, in cloud notes, or anywhere that could be hacked or lost with your computer.