Opening a share
Open a VaultWell share
Someone sent you a .vwshare file. Here's what it is and how to open it.
What a .vwshare file is
A .vwshare file is an encrypted, read-only copy of someone's VaultWell vault. It opens only in the VaultWell app, and only with a share phrase. The sender chose how many times it can be opened, when it expires, and whether you can save items out of it.
.vwshare
- Number of opens
- Set by the sender
- Expiry
- Set by the sender
- Saving items out
- Set by the sender
- Access
- Read only
Opens only in VaultWell, with a share phrase sent separately.
How to open it
- Install VaultWell on your iPhone or Android phone.
- Save the .vwshare file to your phone, for example to Files.
- Open VaultWell. On the lock screen, long-press the centre cell of the comb and choose Join shared vault.
- Pick the file and enter the share phrase the sender gave you.
- Choose a path of your own for the copy. You'll trace this path to open it from then on.
Limits to expect
- The copy is read-only. You can view items but not add or change them.
- Each open counts. When the opens run out or it expires, the copy stops opening.
- Saving items out of the copy works only if the sender allowed it.
- It's a snapshot. Later changes to the sender's vault don't reach you.
Staying safe
VaultWell will never ask for a share phrase on a website. This page has no form for it, and you should never type it anywhere but the app.
- Only open shares from people you know. If you weren't expecting one, check with the sender another way.
- The phrase should reach you separately from the file. If both arrived in the same message, let the sender know.
- Respect the sender's trust. Limits are enforced by the app, but they rely on you too.
Sending one yourself? See secure sharing.