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"Key storage is out of sync"

What this message means and how to clear it so your device can read all your encrypted messages again.

Security note: This message doesn't mean anything is broken or exposed. It means this device can't currently reach your secure backup — usually because it hasn't been verified or you signed in fresh. Verifying fixes it.

What it means

Letro shows "Key storage is out of sync" (or a similar banner) when the device you're using can't access your secure backup — the encrypted store of your message keys. When that happens, this device may not be able to unlock some older encrypted messages until it's back in sync.

Common reasons:

  • You signed in on this device but haven't verified it yet.
  • You reinstalled Letro or cleared its data.
  • Secure backup was never set up, so there's nothing for this device to sync with.

How to fix it

On Web & Desktop

  1. Select the "Key storage is out of sync" banner, or go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Encryption.
  2. Choose to verify this device. Then either:
  3. Verify from another device you've already verified (compare the emoji), or
  4. Use your recovery key to unlock secure backup.
  5. Once verified, the device syncs with your secure backup and the message clears.

On iOS

  1. Tap the banner, or go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Encryption.
  2. Verify from another device, or use your recovery key.
  3. The device syncs and the message clears.

On Android

  1. Tap the banner, or go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Encryption.
  2. Verify from another device, or use your recovery key.
  3. The device syncs and the message clears.

If secure backup was never set up

If you see this because you never turned on secure backup, set it up now — see Set up secure backup & key storage. Going forward, your keys will be backed up and new devices can sync automatically.

Good to know

  • You need a way to prove it's you — another verified device or your recovery key. If you have neither, you can't sync this device to your old keys; see Your recovery key and Recover a locked-out account.
  • Some older messages may stay unreadable on this device if the keys for them were never backed up (for example, messages sent before you enabled secure backup). New messages will be fine.
  • Recurring out-of-sync messages across your devices can mean backup isn't fully enabled — open Settings → Security & Privacy → Encryption and confirm secure backup is on.

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