OwnSafe — Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is OwnSafe?

OwnSafe is a secure “card cabinet” for the things you keep in your wallet: payment cards and their PINs, ID cards, passports, driver's licenses, loyalty cards, bank accounts, Wi-Fi codes, and short notes. It's a focused vault for cards and codes — not a general-purpose password manager.

Which devices does it work on?

iPhone, iPad, and Mac (as a Designed-for-iPad app), plus an optional Apple Watch companion for your security codes and loyalty barcodes.

Is there a subscription or ads?

No. OwnSafe is a one-time purchase with no subscription, no ads, and no in-app purchases.

Security & privacy

Is my data safe?

Yes. Your card fields and images are encrypted on your device, and stay encrypted when they sync through your private iCloud. Only your master password or PIN can unlock them. For the full picture, see our Security Overview.

Can the developer see my cards?

No. There are no OwnSafe accounts and no OwnSafe servers. Your data lives on your device and in your own iCloud, and the sensitive parts are encrypted so that neither the developer nor Apple can read them.

What happens if I forget my master password or PIN?

For your security, your master credential is never stored anywhere, so it cannot be recovered — not even by us. If you forget it, your cards cannot be opened. Backups are protected with the same credential, so keep it somewhere you won't lose it (for example a trusted password manager or a safe place).

Does OwnSafe work without an internet connection?

Yes. OwnSafe works fully offline. An internet connection is only used by iCloud to sync between your own devices, if you have iCloud enabled.

Sync

How does syncing between my devices work?

If iCloud is enabled and your devices use the same Apple ID, OwnSafe syncs your cards automatically through your private iCloud. The first time you open the app on a new device, you'll be asked for your master credential to unlock the shared encryption key.

My cards aren't showing up on my other device.

Make sure both devices are signed in to the same Apple ID, have iCloud enabled for OwnSafe, and are online. Syncing can take a moment. On a new device you'll need to enter your master credential once to unlock.

Backups

How do I back up my vault?

Open Settings and choose Create backup. You'll get an encrypted .ownsafebackup file that you can save or send wherever you like.

How do I restore a backup?

Open the .ownsafebackup file (for example from Files, Messages, or Mail) and enter the master password it was created with. OwnSafe imports the cards it contains.

Is it safe to email or message a backup file?

The file itself is encrypted and unreadable without your master password, so the file is safe to move around. As always, keep your master password private — it's what protects the backup.

Cards & scanning

What kinds of cards can I store?

Payment cards, ID cards, passports, driver's licenses, loyalty/barcode cards, bank accounts (with multiple accounts under one bank), Wi-Fi credentials, and free-form notes.

How does card scanning work?

When you scan a card, the camera image is read entirely on your device to pick up the number, dates, or a barcode. The image is never uploaded or stored.

Can OwnSafe show my loyalty card's barcode?

Yes. OwnSafe renders standard barcodes (such as EAN-13 and Code 128) so you can scan them at the checkout. Note that some virtual cards use a rotating code that changes each time (a security feature); those can't be stored as a fixed barcode by any app.

Apple Watch

What can I see on my Apple Watch?

Only what you opt in per card: the card's security codes and its loyalty barcode. Card numbers, names, images, and notes are never sent to the watch.

How do I put a card on my watch?

Open the card and turn on Show on Apple Watch (available for cards that have a security code or a barcode). You can also manage all of them in Settings → Apple Watch cards.

Why don't I see the Apple Watch option on my iPad or Mac?

An Apple Watch pairs only with an iPhone, so the watch options appear on iPhone only. A choice you make on iPhone still applies.

My watch isn't showing my cards.

Open OwnSafe on your paired iPhone and unlock it at least once so it can send the latest snapshot, and make sure the card has Show on Apple Watch turned on.

Resetting & troubleshooting

What does “Reset vault” do?

It removes your master credential and encryption key so you can start over. After a reset, previously stored cards can no longer be decrypted, so use it only when you mean to start fresh.

Face ID / Touch ID isn't unlocking the app.

You can always unlock with your master password or PIN. If biometric unlock stops working, unlock once with your master credential; on devices without biometrics (for example some Macs) you'll simply enter your credential each time.

Contact

How do I get help?

Reach us through the support page at rauta.eu.