You forget the password to your password vault. Now what?

  • Q and A
  • Edited 8 January 2025
  • 1 min
  • Managing and growing
  • Secure business

You faithfully store the passwords of all your accounts in a password manager. It also creates strong, new passwords for you. But it can happen to the best of us: you forget the master password to your password safe. Now what?

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You have a problem if you forget your master password. This password is like the key to a safe. Without a key, no access. Password managers are so well protected that even the vendor of the software cannot help you in such a case.

Recovery

When you install a password manager, also set up a reset method. Think of your fingerprint or a recovery code. But then you need to have set this up beforehand. If you haven't, you won't be able to get back in. You will then have to start over with your password manager.

So set up a recovery method for your password manager. That will prevent a lot of trouble. The options vary from software to software, but consider:

  • Set a reminder hint for your master password. If you forget your master password, request this reminder. Hopefully, this will help you remember your password.
  • Have the password manager create a set of recovery codes. Keep these in a safe place, such as a physical safe.

Tips

Remembering your password manager's master password? Three tips:

  • Choose a sentence from a song, poem, or story you know well. Sequence the initial letters of the words in that sentence. Use this as your master password.
  • Use your master password regularly. Or repeat it regularly in your head. The repetition will make you remember it better.
  • Write your master password on a note and put it in a physical safe. Do make sure your loved ones know about this. If something happens to you, they can get into your password safe.

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