When to share
Your vault is private until you decide to share it. Most people share access when they have a serious illness, when they're preparing for a trip or procedure, or by leaving instructions (and the backup location and master password) in a will or with an attorney or trusted person to give to family at the right time.
What family needs to open your vault
- A copy of your vault backup — Either the backup file you created (on USB or external drive) or access to the device where the vault is installed.
- Your master password — The only way to decrypt the vault. They must have this; there is no way to recover the data without it.
- Local Legacy Vault installed — They can install the app (free to open existing vaults) and then open your backup file using your master password.
How to prepare them
Tell at least one trusted person where your backup is stored and that they will need your master password. You can write this in a letter to be opened at the right time, or leave it with your attorney or in a safe. Do not put your master password in the vault itself; they need it to open the vault. Consider writing it down and storing it with your will or in a safe-deposit box.
Tip: Keep your backup and master password in separate secure places so one lost item doesn't expose everything. For step-by-step backup instructions, see Backing Up Your Vault.