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How to Recover Your Account

Step-by-step guide for restoring access to your Vauchi identity.

Choose Your Recovery Method

Situation Method Time Required
Have backup code + password Backup Restore 5 minutes
Have another linked device Device Link 5 minutes
Lost everything Social Recovery Hours to days

Backup Restore

If you have your encrypted backup code and password:

Step 1: Start Fresh

  1. Install Vauchi on your new device
  2. On the welcome screen, tap Restore from Backup

Step 2: Enter Backup

  1. Paste your backup code (the long string of characters)
  2. Tap Next

Step 3: Enter Password

  1. Enter your backup password
  2. Tap Restore

Step 4: Wait for Sync

  1. Vauchi restores your identity
  2. Your contacts sync automatically via the relay
  3. Within minutes, you should see your contacts

Success

You're back! Your identity is fully restored.

If you have another device still logged in:

Step 1: On Your Working Device

  1. Open Vauchi
  2. Go to Settings > Devices
  3. Tap Link New Device
  4. A QR code appears

Step 2: On Your New Device

  1. Install Vauchi
  2. Tap Join Existing Identity
  3. Scan the QR code

Step 3: Revoke Lost Device (Optional)

If your old device was lost or stolen:

  1. On your working device, go to Settings > Devices
  2. Find the lost device
  3. Tap Revoke

Success

You're back! Your new device is now synced.

Social Recovery

If you've lost all devices and don't have a backup:

Overview

Social recovery uses your real-world relationships to verify your identity. You need vouchers from 3 or more contacts who have previously exchanged with you.

Step 1: Create New Identity

  1. Install Vauchi on a new device
  2. Create a new identity (fresh start)
  3. This gives you a new device to work from

Step 2: Start Recovery

  1. Go to Settings > Recovery
  2. Tap Recover Old Identity
  3. Enter your old public ID (if you know it)
  4. If you don't know it, ask a contact — they can find it in your contact details
  5. A recovery claim is generated

Step 3: Collect Vouchers

For each voucher, you need to meet a contact in person:

  1. Meet in person (video call as last resort)
  2. Show them your recovery claim
  3. They open Settings > Recovery > Help Someone Recover
  4. They paste your claim
  5. They verify it's really you
  6. They tap Create Voucher
  7. They share the voucher with you

Repeat until you have 3 or more vouchers.

Tip

Ask contacts you've met in person and who will recognize you immediately.

Step 4: Submit Recovery

  1. Go to Settings > Recovery
  2. Import each voucher you received
  3. Once you have 3+, tap Complete Recovery
  4. Vauchi submits your recovery proof

Step 5: Wait for Verification

  1. The relay verifies your vouchers
  2. Other contacts may verify via mutual connections
  3. Once verified, your identity transitions

Step 6: Re-Exchange (If Needed)

Some contacts may need to re-verify you:

  1. They'll see a notification about your recovery
  2. Meet them in person to confirm
  3. Your relationship continues

Success

You're back! Your identity has been recovered.

Helping Someone Else Recover

If a contact asks you to vouch for their recovery:

Step 1: Verify Their Identity

Before creating a voucher:

  • Meet in person if possible
  • Confirm they are who they claim to be
  • Be suspicious of unusual requests

Warning

Only vouch if you're certain. False vouching enables identity theft.

Step 2: Create Voucher

  1. Go to Settings > Recovery
  2. Tap Help Someone Recover
  3. Paste their recovery claim
  4. Tap Create Voucher

Step 3: Share Voucher

  1. Copy the voucher
  2. Send it to them (AirDrop, messaging, etc.)

Troubleshooting

Backup Restore: "Invalid Password"

  • Check for typos
  • Passwords are case-sensitive
  • Try any variations you might have used

If you truly can't remember the password, you'll need to use social recovery.

Backup Restore: "Invalid Backup Code"

  • Make sure you copied the entire code
  • Check for extra spaces or line breaks
  • Try copying again from the original source

Social Recovery: "Not Enough Vouchers"

  • You need at least 3 vouchers
  • Contact more people who have exchanged with your old identity
  • Vouchers must be from different contacts

Social Recovery: "Voucher Rejected"

  • The voucher may be for a different identity
  • The voucher may have expired (90 days)
  • Ask the contact to create a fresh voucher

Can't Remember Old Public ID

  • Ask any contact who had your old card
  • They can find your ID in your contact details
  • Look through old screenshots or notes

Prevention Tips

To avoid needing recovery:

  1. Create a backup as soon as you set up
  2. Store backup securely (password manager, safe)
  3. Link multiple devices (phone + tablet/desktop)
  4. Remember your password (use a passphrase)
  5. Have 5+ contacts who could vouch for you

Security Notes

  • Social recovery requires in-person verification
  • 3 vouchers prevent single-point-of-failure attacks
  • Vouchers expire after 90 days
  • Recovery is logged for transparency

For more on security, see Backup & Recovery Feature.