The Codebook Security Key

Codebook
1

I’ve got Codebook installed on my Mac and 2 iOS tablets. I’d like to put it on my PC, which is currently lacking a camera and I see no way to transfer this QR Code over to it. Is there a way short of scanning this with a camera on the PC? Thanks!

2

Hey @ispy99

I believe we may have responded separately to your private support inquiry. If not or for anyone else looking on I’ve included the response below:

You can import your Sync Key using your Sync Key Word List instead of scanning the Sync Key QR Code for devices which don’t have a camera.

There’s information here on how to enter the Sync Key Word List on Codebook for Windows: Codebook Help - Syncing with a New Device

And information here on how to display the Sync Key Word List on your other devices: Codebook Help - Sync Key Word List

Let me know if that allows you to import your Sync Key onto your Windows machine which doesn’t have a camera and sync. Thanks!

3

Thanks for responding. I remember establishing a QR code Sync Key which I still have. I keep pretty good notes about stuff like this, and I have nothing there about a Sync Key Word List. Is there a way for me to establish this now? Or is there a way to read the QR code as a word list?

4

@ispy99

Thanks for the response. So each device which you use Codebook internally holds a copy of your Sync Key. The backup Sync Key is for use in the case of catastrophic failure (i.e. all your devices are lost/damaged).

You can display your Sync Key Word List on any device which is currently syncing successfully with your remote/other devices.

There are instructions here for how to display the Sync Key Word List on another one of your devices: Codebook Help - Sync Key Word List (under “Display Word List”).

For example, you mentioned you have 2 iOS tables, you can display your Sync Key Word List on iOS by following these steps:

  1. Tap More > Sync > Backup Sync Key
  2. You must authenticate to access this feature. Enter your Master Password (or Touch ID or Face ID, if setup for this device).

Then you can copy (precisely) the Sync Key Word List from your iOS device to your Windows device.

Let me know if that allows you to display your Sync Key Word List and import your Sync Key into your Windows copy of Codebook.

5

Thanks much for your help.Your advice worked. :slight_smile: Can you tell me if the word list is the same info as stored in the QR code, or is that different info?

6

@ispy99

Glad to hear that worked!

Can you tell me if the word list is the same info as stored in the QR code, or is that different info?

Both options can be used to import your Sync Key data into Codebook. The Sync Key QR Code is encrypted using your Codebook Master Password (at the time of displaying it or printing it) whereas the Sync Key Word List is a raw representation of your Sync Key data (not encrypted with your Codebook Master Password).

Because of this, the standard camera or QR code scanning apps won’t be able to recognize/decrypt the Sync Key QR Code. You will be prompted to enter your Codebook Master Password after scanning the Sync Key QR Code within Codebook to decrypt the scanned Sync Key QR Code and retrieve the Sync Key data (to be stored in Codebook).

Typically we lean towards recommending using the Sync Key QR Code where possible (when the importing device has a camera) as it is slightly easier/quicker.