Cross Signing
- Check Status
- Export and Import E2E Room Keys
- Reset Cross Signing
- Set up Cross Signing
- Verify new Login
Check Status
Export and Import E2E Room Keys
Element Web and Desktop
Export
Import
Element iOS
Export
-
Tap the cog in the top left of Element
Import
This is a temporary solution until this issue is resolved
Element Android
Export
-
Tap your user picture in the top right
Import
-
Tap your user picture in the top right
Reset Cross Signing
Only do this if you have forgotten or lost your cross signing backup passphrase.
Please read through the entire document before starting to make sure you understand the consequences of doing this.
If you have an active session
-
You may wish to backup your keys before doing this just to be on the safe side if something goes wrong: See Export and Import E2E Room Keys
-
Click
Clear cross-signing keys
-
Click
Generate a Security Key
orEnter a Security Phrase
. ThenContinue
-
You can delete any untrusted sessions in Element
Security & Privacy
settings. Select the sessions you want to remove and clickDelete 1 session
-
Optionally, Sign out old devices no longer needed
If you DO NOT have an active session
Doing this will destroy all your keys and you will NOT be able to access any historical encrypted messages.
-
Do not connect to Key Backup or verify session when asked
-
Note that you will not be able to decrypt any previous messages after doing this
-
Follow the steps from If you have an active session
Sign out old devices
-
Go to Element
Security & Privacy
settings -
Click
Sign out n selected devices
Set up Cross Signing
On first login to a new account
-
Sign up or log in
-
Click
Generate a Security Key
orEnter a Security Phrase
. Then clickContinue
-
Take note of your key, then click
Continue
If you did not set it up on first login, or if you did not get asked
-
If you do not have key backup configured, you will be asked to set it up the first time you enter an encrypted room. Click
Start using Key Backup
-
Click
Generate a Security Key
orEnter a Security Phrase
. ThenContinue
-
Take note of your key, then click
Continue
-
Enter your account password, then click
Continue
If you clicked Don't ask me again
-
Go to Element
Security & Privacy
settings -
Click
Generate a Security Key
orEnter a Security Phrase
. ThenContinue
-
Take note of your key, then click
Continue
-
Enter your account password, then click
Continue
Verify new Login
When you log in to a new device/session, you must verify the login and connect it to cross signing and secret storage to access your backed up encryption keys for historical messages. This assumes you already have configured cross signing, see Set up Cross Signing.
Compare emojis using another login
- Click
Use another login
- On another device/session that is connected to cross signing, click
Accept
- Click
Start
- Compare the emojis on your new and old sessions. They should be the same emojis and in the same order. Click
They match
on both sessions
- If all was successful, you should get this green shield on both sessions. Click
Got it
. Your new device/session is now verified and will download your backed up message encryption keys
Scan QR code on another login
Login is here demonstrated on Element Android
- On your phone, tap
Verify this login
- Your phone is now waiting for you to accept from another device
- On another device/session that is connected to cross signing, click
Accept
- On your phone, tab
Scan with this device
- Using your phone, scan the QR code shown on your other session
- Your phone waits for you to confirm green shield on your other session. Click
Yes
- Tap
Done
on your phone
- If all was successful, you should get this green shield on both sessions. Click
Got it
. Your new device/session is now verified and will download your backed up message encryption keys