Emergency Password Reset Key

This article includes questions and answers on the Emergency Password Reset Key feature, the Emergency Password Reset Key Card that goes in your eWallet^® digital wallet, and a written/printed version of that card to be stored in a safe physical location.

What is the Emergency Password Reset Key Card and what is its purpose?

The Emergency Password Reset Key is a set of information that can be used to reset a wallet’s password when the wallet’s current password is not known. This information is intended to be printed or written down on paper so it will be available for use when it is needed. The purpose of this information is to help users who have forgotten the password to their wallet to gain access to their passwords again. It can also be useful when a user is incapacitated or deceased and their survivors need to access the passwords or other key information in the wallet to help settle the estate.

The Emergency Password Reset Key Card is a card in the wallet that has been generated by eWallet and contains the Emergency Password Reset Key information. The card can be printed anytime to provide a paper copy of the information. The card must remain in the wallet in order for an Emergency Password Reset to be performed.

Must I use the Emergency Password Reset Key?

No, it is not mandatory. If you do not create and keep the Emergency Password Reset Key Card in your eWallet digital wallet, then you won’t be able to use this feature if you forget your password.

How do I use the Emergency Password Reset Key?

To use the Emergency Password Reset Key to reset the wallet’s password, you may first need to enter an invalid password into eWallet in order to get the “Forgot Password?” button to appear. When the “Forgot Password?” button is present, press the button to see a screen that allows you to enter the Reset Key information. Enter each of the four keys into the appropriate field on the screen and press “Next”. If the information has been entered correctly, you will then be allowed to enter a new password for the wallet. You can then use the new password you entered to unlock the wallet.

What are the four keys on the Emergency Password Reset Key Card?

There are four keys (labeled “Key1” to “Key4”) that each consist of 16 characters (digits or letters). This is the important information that must be written down or printed. Each key must be entered when performing the password reset.

What is the Safe Location?

When creating the Emergency Password Reset Key, you are prompted to enter a description of a Safe Location where you will keep the paper copy of the information. This Safe Location is the place you intend to store the paper copy so you can find it when you need it. An example of a Safe Location would be in your safe or firebox, or a place where you keep other important papers, such as a will, title to your vehicle, deed for your home, or other similar things. The description you enter of the Safe Location will be displayed when you perform a password reset to remind you where you keep the paper copy of the Emergency Password Reset Key. Because the Safe Location can be displayed without the password and without unlocking the wallet, the description should not contain any sensitive information (such as your wallet password).

Why must the Emergency Password Reset Key be printed or written down? Can’t it just be kept in a file?

The information must be kept hidden so it is not available to anyone else, especially someone who might want to steal your passwords and other important information. The best way to do this is to keep it off your computer and mobile device and only make a paper copy. This paper copy should be stored somewhere safe, for example, in a safety deposit box at a bank.

If I change my password do I need to create a new Emergency Password Reset Key Card?

No, the Password Reset information will remain the same even if you change your password. You should only need to generate the card once.

Do I need to create the Emergency Password Reset Key Card now, or can I just wait until I need to do a password reset to create it?

You must create the card before you need it. If you wait until you need to do a password reset it will be too late and you won’t be able to do it. It is best to create and print the information right away so it will be available if you need it.

Can I delete the Emergency Password Reset Key Card from my wallet after I have printed it?

No, the card must be present in the wallet in order for a password reset to be performed. If you delete the card you won’t be able to do a password reset.

The Emergency Password Reset Key provides another way, in addition to my password, to unlock my wallet. Is this a back door? Will this reduce the security of my wallet?

A back door would provide a way for anyone who knows about it to get in. The Emergency Password Reset Key has a different value for each wallet, and only you know what the value is, so only you can use it. The value of the key amounts to 256 bits of random information. This is many times stronger than your password and strong enough that it does not reduce the security of your wallet.

Performing a password reset requires entering four keys that are each 16 characters long. If I make a mistake typing, how many chances do I have to do it right?

The password reset follows your security settings for the maximum number of failed password attempts and how long to lockout your wallet if that maximum is exceeded. Check the security settings on your wallet and make sure it is set to something you feel comfortable with.

What is the QR code on the printout of the Emergency Password Reset Key Card for?

iPhone & iPad

If your device has iOS or iPadOS 13 or later, then a QR code will appear on the printout. You can use the QR code to perform the password reset rather than manually typing in the four keys. If your device has iOS or iPadOS 16 or later, you may see a barcode icon on the Password Reset screen (where you enter the four keys). Tap the barcode icon to open a screen that will scan the QR code. If you don’t see the barcode icon (some older devices may not support it), then you can still scan the QR code using the Camera app. This will launch eWallet and enter the key information for the password reset. However, in order for this to work you must first run eWallet and make sure you are at the Password entry screen or the Password Reset screen.

Windows

With eWallet for Windows, a QR code will appear on the printout. The QR code can be used on compatible iPhone or iPad devices at this time. To enter the information on Windows, use the four keys.

Why do I need to create an Emergency Password Reset Key Card? Can’t Ilium Software reset my password for me?

No, we can’t. You may be thinking of websites that keep all of your information for you and provide a login password for you to access it. eWallet doesn’t keep your information online and Ilium Software doesn’t have access to it. Your information is completely under your control, and only you can perform a password reset (if you have created the Emergency Password Reset Key).

The eWallet password is the only password I need to remember and I understand that it is important for me to remember it, so why would I ever forget it and need a password reset?

Hopefully, most people will never need to perform a password reset, but even people with the best memories can find themselves in a situation where they don’t remember something important. In addition, as many people have started using fingerprint scanning and face recognition rather than entering their password, they may eventually forget the password due to not using it for a long time. And in the case where the user is incapacitated or deceased, the survivors can use the Emergency Password Reset Key to access the user’s passwords and other important information stored in the wallet file.

What platforms is the Emergency Password Reset Key available on?

As of this writing, this feature is available on eWallet 8.13 for iPhone & iPad and eWallet 8.12 for Windows. We plan to make it available on other platforms soon.