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
• If you DO NOT have an active session

If you have an active session

1. 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

2. Go to Element Security & Privacy settings
   

Click Reset in the Cross-signing section

Click Clear cross-signing keys

Click Generate a Security Key or Enter a Security Phrase. Then Continue

Take note of your key then click Continue

Enter your account password and click Continue

You can delete any untrusted sessions in Element Security & Privacy settings. Select the sessions you want to remove and click Delete 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.

1. Log in to Element
   

2. Click Skip
   

3. Click Skip again
   

4. Do not connect to Key Backup or verify session when asked

5. Note that you will not be able to decrypt any previous messages after doing this
   

6. Follow the steps from If you have an active session

Sign out old devices

1. Go to Element Security & Privacy settings
   

2. Select the devices you wish to sign out
   

3. Click Sign out n selected devices

4. Authenticate with your Matrix account password or via SSO