Getting a new encryption key

If you have lost your encryption key you will need to create a new account to get a new key. Only one key can be generated per account. Day One does not save a copy of your key, so if you do not keep a copy, there is no way to recover it. (While we don’t have a copy of your key, we do keep a record when you save your key, so if you provide us with your user ID, we can check whether you have previously saved your key and point you in the right direction to find it.)

Note: Creating a new account and encryption key should only be done as a last resort if you are unable to find your lost encryption key. You won’t be able to use the new key to access any entries encrypted with the old key.

The following steps will let you obtain a new key through creating a new Day One account.

One thing to note is that the account deletion process can take up to 5 days (see step 8). This means if you want to reuse your same email, we recommend switching your email on the account to something else before deleting it, or waiting 5 days to make a new account.

Please follow the steps carefully. Please contact support if you have any questions about this process.

iOS

  1. Export all data as a JSON file. Save it to the Files on your device. It is important you keep this copy of your data secure during this process
  2. Sign out of Sync in the Day One app on all devices. Sign In/Sign Out.
  3. Head to Day One> Settings> Account> Advanced> Delete account.
  4. Go to Day One > Settings > Sign In. Choose an option to create a new account or create a new account at https://dayone.me/signup. The account deletion process from step 6 takes up to 5 days to prevent accidental deletion. A different email or alias will need to be used in order to create a new account immediately. After 5 days, you can update the account to use the former email address by signing into the Web app.
  5. Sign in to Day One Sync on all devices using the option chosen in step 4. Sign In/Sign Out
  6. Check that you see Premium in Settings> Account. You may need to restore purchases if the appropriate account status is not reflected automatically.
  7. Import the JSON file export from step 1. Tap Settings Import/Export> Import Day One JSON
  8. Please save your new encryption key in a secure location. You can locate the encryption key in Settings> Sync > View Encryption Key

Android

  1. Export all data as a JSON file. This will give you a copy for safe keeping
  2. Sign out of Sync in the Day One app on all devices. Sign In/Sign Out.
  3. Close the app and leave closed until directed to re-open later in these steps. Do not uninstall Day One.
  4. Sign in to https://dayone.me/settings in a web browser. There are more than one way to sign in to an account. Be sure to use the option associated with your account.
  5. Scroll down and click Delete Account
  6. Open Day One on the primary device.
  7. Go to Day One > Settings > Sign In. Choose an option to create a new account or create a new account at https://dayone.me/signup. The account deletion process from step 6 takes up to 5 days to prevent accidental deletion. A different email or alias will need to be used in order to create a new account immediately. After 5 days, you can update the account to use the former email address by signing into the Web app.
  8. Sign in to Day One Sync on all devices using the option chosen in step 7. Sign In/Sign Out
  9. You may need to restore purchases if the appropriate account status is not reflected automatically.
  10. Data will begin syncing and you can locate the encryption key in the following places:
    • iOS app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > View Encryption Key
    • macOS desktop app: “Day One” on the Mac’s menu bar > Settings> Sync > Advanced > View Encryption Key
    • Android app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > Encryption Key
    • Web app: Settings (gear icon) > Account > Encryption Key
  11. Please save the key in a secure location.

Mac

  1. Export all data as a JSON file. This will give you a copy for safe keeping
  2. Sign out of Sync in the Day One app on all devices. Sign In/Sign Out.
  3. Close the app and leave closed until directed to re-open later in these steps. Do not uninstall Day One.
  4. Sign in to https://dayone.me/settings in a web browser. There are more than one way to sign in to an account. Be sure to use the option associated with your account.
  5. Scroll down and click Delete Account
  6. Open Day One on the primary device.
  7. Go to Day One > Settings > Sign In. Choose an option to create a new account or create a new account at https://dayone.me/signup. The account deletion process from step 6 takes up to 5 days to prevent accidental deletion. A different email or alias will need to be used in order to create a new account immediately. After 5 days, you can update the account to use the former email address by signing into the Web app.
  8. Sign in to Day One Sync on all devices using the option chosen in step 7. Sign In/Sign Out
  9. You may need to restore purchases if the appropriate account status is not reflected automatically.
  10. Data will begin syncing and you can locate the encryption key in the following places:
    • iOS app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > View Encryption Key
    • macOS desktop app: “Day One” on the Mac’s menu bar > Settings> Sync > Advanced > View Encryption Key
    • Android app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > Encryption Key
    • Web app: Settings (gear icon) > Account > Encryption Key
  11. Please save the key in a secure location.

Web

  1. Export all data as a JSON file. This will give you a copy for safekeeping.
  2. Sign out of Sync in the Day One app on all devices. Sign In/Sign Out.
  3. Close the app and leave closed until directed to re-open later in these steps. Do not uninstall Day One.
  4. Sign in to https://dayone.me/settings in a web browser. There are more than one way to sign in to an account. Be sure to use the option associated with your account.
  5. Scroll down and click Delete Account
  6. Open Day One on the primary device.
  7. Go to Day One > Settings > Sign In. Choose an option to create a new account or create a new account at https://dayone.me/signup. The account deletion process from step 6 takes up to 5 days to prevent accidental deletion. A different email or alias will need to be used in order to create a new account immediately. After 5 days, you can update the account to use the former email address by signing into the Web app.
  8. Sign in to Day One Sync on all devices using the option chosen in step 7. Sign In/Sign Out
  9. You may need to restore purchases if the appropriate account status is not reflected automatically.
  10. Data will begin syncing and you can locate the encryption key in the following places:
    • iOS app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > View Encryption Key
    • macOS desktop app: “Day One” on the Mac’s menu bar > Settings> Sync > Advanced > View Encryption Key
    • Android app: Settings (gear icon) > Sync > Encryption Key
    • Web app: Settings (gear icon) > Account > Encryption Key
  11. Please save the key in a secure location.

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