Backing Up Your Vault

Save an encrypted copy you can restore later

Overview

A backup is an encrypted copy of your personal vault, saved as a .heimlane file. It’s a quick, healthy habit: if you ever lose access to your account or move to a new one, you can restore everything from that file.

The backup is a file downloaded to your own device - it is not a cloud backup that Heimlane stores for you. We never receive or keep a copy, so saving it somewhere safe is entirely your responsibility.

Note: A backup covers your personal vault only. Items in a Shared Vault are not included.

Creating a backup

  1. From the Dashboard, under Quick Actions, click Backup vault. (You can also start a backup from Settings.)
  2. Choose a backup password and confirm it. This is separate from your master password.
    • Keep it safe: without it, the backup cannot be restored, and Heimlane cannot recover it for you.
  3. Click Create backup.
  4. Enter your master password to confirm.
  5. The .heimlane file downloads to your device. Store it somewhere safe.

Restoring a backup

  1. Go to Settings > Import.
  2. Choose your .heimlane file (format: Heimlane Encrypted).
  3. Enter the backup password you set when you created it.

You can restore into the same account or a different one.

How often should you back up?

There’s no fixed rule, but a good habit is to back up:

  • On a regular schedule, such as monthly.
  • After any big change - a large import, bulk edits, or before changing your master password.

Backups are not automatic. Each one is a file you create and download yourself, so make it a recurring habit.

Backup vs. Export

  • Backup (Dashboard or Settings) is the quick, encrypted .heimlane copy meant for restoring later.
  • Export (Settings > Danger Zone > Export Vault) also offers plain JSON and CSV, for migrating to another tool or inspecting your data. Plain formats are not encrypted - handle them carefully and delete them when you’re done.

Tips

  • Treat the .heimlane file like the vault itself: it holds your secrets (encrypted, but still).
  • Save it somewhere safe that only you control - keeping it safe is your responsibility, not ours.
  • Never keep the backup password in a plaintext file, and never store it next to the backup itself.
  • Do a test restore once, so you know the process before you ever need it.
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