Create your first safe and add content

A safe starts as a private, encrypted folder on your own phone. Nothing is shared until you decide to share it, so take your time filling it. This guide shows how to create a safe and add every kind of content it supports.

Create the safe

1. Open the Safes tab.
2. Make sure the On device filter is selected. The other filters show Shared and Received safes.
3. Tap the New safe button in the top right.
4. The safe opens right away under the name Untitled safe. You can rename it in a moment.

Under the header, Encrypted on this device shows when the safe was last updated. Everything you add is encrypted on the phone itself.

Add content

Inside the safe, the contents section shows a count and a + button. Tap it to open the add menu, which offers:

• Gallery. Choose photos and videos from your device.
• Camera. Take a photo and add it directly to the safe.
• Files. Pick documents such as PDFs and scans.
• New note. Write text inside the safe.
• Use template. Start with a ready-made document.

While files are being added, the menu shows Adding file 1 of 3 with a progress bar. Larger videos take a moment because each file is encrypted as it goes in.

Write a note

Notes are the right place for instructions, passwords, wishes, and anything else that is easier to explain than to attach. The editor gives you a title and text blocks, with Paragraph, Heading 1, Heading 2, Bulleted list, and Numbered list, plus bold, italic, and links. Everything saves inside the safe; nothing is sent anywhere.

Start from a document template

Choose Use template to open Start from a template. Each template creates a note with headings and short prompts, and you can change every part of it. The templates are:

• General instructions. Add important context and practical next steps.
• Device access. Record passwords, recovery instructions, and device details.
• Financial overview. List institutions, what each account is for, and useful contacts.
• Insurance details. Record policies, providers, and claim information.
• Important contacts. List people who can help and explain why.

For account details, Device access and Financial overview are usually the fastest start: they already ask for the account name, the password or access code, and where supporting documents can be found.

Tidy up and name your safe

1. Tap the gear icon in the top right to open Safe settings.
2. Give the safe a clear name and, if useful, a description. A name such as "For Sam, house and insurance" prevents questions later.
3. Tap Save changes.

The same screen has Duplicate safe and Delete safe. The actions button for each item offers edit for notes, share, and remove. Each label includes the item's name, for example Edit Insurance details.

Good to know

• Local safes do not count toward the limit of 2 shared safes, so you can prepare as many as you like.
• Sharing creates a separate encrypted snapshot. Changes you make afterwards are not sent to the other device automatically.
• A safe needs at least one item before it can be shared.
• Deleting a local safe removes the encrypted source on your phone. Safes you already shared stay unchanged.
• Notes can be exported for yourself with Share as PDF or Share as plain text.

Need help?

Not sure what belongs in a safe, or unable to add a file? Write to us on the contact page. When your safe is ready, continue with sharing a safe with someone nearby.