Last week marked the new release of Codebook 4. Codebook 4 is a free major version upgrade introducing a faster, and more secure Sync system. One of the most visible changes is the new Sync Key. The Sync Key does not replace your Master Password, but instead works with it to secure Codebook data when synchronizing with Desktop WiFi, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
If you have not yet updated to Codebook 4, or you are having any trouble getting started with Codebook 4’s Sync Key, please review the following frequently asked questions.
How many Sync Keys do I need?
You should generate only ONE Sync Key on the FIRST DEVICE you upgraded to Codebook 4. After setting up the FIRST DEVICE you can scan the Sync Key created with Codebook on other devices to enable Sync. We have a helpful introduction video about Sync here:
If you have one device that doesn’t have a camera (e.g. a Desktop computer), it’s easiest to generate the Sync Key on this device and then scan it into the other devices as described below.
How do I scan the Sync Key QR Code, or setup a second device?
Sync Key QR codes should only be scanned by the Codebook application, so you should not use a general purpose QR scanner, barcode scanner, or Camera app. When you open Codebook 4 after upgrading your other device(s) it will prompt to setup a Sync Key. Codebook will ask if you already created a Sync Key on a different device. Choose “YES” to import the Sync Key from the FIRST DEVICE you upgrade, then choose to Scan a QR code to start the camera view.
On the FIRST DEVICE, bring up your current Sync Key:
- Tap/Click on the Sync menu or screen
- Tap/Click on Add a New Device
Finally, point the QR code that is displayed at the new device’s camera during setup. You will be prompted to enter the Master Password from your FIRST DEVICE to import the Sync Key.
What if my computer doesn’t have a camera?
If your computer doesn’t have a camera you can easily import the Sync Key using a Word List instead. During Sync Key setup on your secondary devices choose to enter Word List instead of scanning the QR code.
Then on the FIRST DEVICE, show the Word List by following these steps:
https://www.zetetic.net/codebook/documentation/word-list-help/
Enter the Word List into the device without the Camera. Be sure to carefully check that the Word Lists match!
I setup multiple Sync Keys, or, I’m seeing a “Sync Key mismatch” error. What should I do?
You may have generated a different Sync key on each of your devices. Simply remove the Sync Key from the device(s) where you are receiving that error, and then import the Sync Key from the working device.
There will be one device where you are not getting an sync error. That will be the FIRST DEVICE you upgraded.
On each of the devices where you are receiving the error, delete the Sync Key:
- Tap/Click on the Sync menu or screen
- Tap/Click on Delete Sync Key
- You will be prompted to confirm: Deleting your Sync Key is a destructive operation…? Accept the warning and Delete Sync Key.
- Quit and restart Codebook
On launch, Codebook will prompt you to set up the Sync Key again. Follow the steps described in “How do I scan the Sync Key QR Code” above.
Why aren’t my changes syncing, or, why do I see a version mismatch error on WiFi sync?
Codebook 4 will not sync with Codebook 3. Please make sure that you upgrade all your devices and computers to Codebook 4. Download links for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android are available in the release announcement:
https://www.zetetic.net/blog/2019/12/04/codebook-4-released/
After you upgrade and setup your Sync Key across all devices you will be able to Sync again.
Why is Sync taking such a long time after I upgrade to Codebook 4?
The first time you use the sync feature in Codebook 4, the app has to analyze and merge Codebook 3 data, get everything updated, and then generate the new version of the sync data for upload to the cloud or to the desktop over WiFi. On older devices, slower connections, or with large databases this can take a few minutes. Please give Codebook time to complete that first sync, and every time you use it after that should be significantly faster.
I still have other questions or a problem, how can I get help?
Don’t worry, we are here to support your upgrade to Codebook 4. You will find a substantial amount of documentation about the new Sync Feature here:
https://www.zetetic.net/codebook/documentation/sync-setup-help/
If you still have trouble, please contact us at support@zetetic.net and we’ll be happy to help.