Encrypted iCloud backup

Paperwise keeps a free, encrypted copy of your vault in your own iCloud. If you lose or replace your iPhone, you restore it with your recovery key. It’s off until you turn it on, and it’s offered at the end of your first run.

What it is

The backup stores your documents in your own iCloud (Apple’s CloudKit, in your iCloud account’s private database), using your own iCloud storage. It costs Paperwise nothing and costs you only the space it takes.

Before anything is uploaded, your iPhone encrypts it with a backup key. That key is protected by your recovery key, which only you have. Apple stores the encrypted records but can’t open your documents. What Apple can see is how many records there are, their sizes and dates.

It includes your documents, pages, files, notes, cards, folders and signatures, and your Hidden items. Hidden stays under its own encryption inside the backup, so restoring it still needs Hidden’s own unlock.

The backup follows this iPhone. When documents are deleted here, including when you erase or remove them as you sign in or sign out, they leave the backup at its next run.

Why you need it

Your iPhone’s own backups (iCloud or Finder device backups) leave your Paperwise documents out on purpose, so those backups never hold readable copies of your papers. Restoring an iPhone from a device backup alone doesn’t bring your documents back. And your vault’s key is kept for this iPhone only, so neither a device backup nor a device-to-device transfer to a new iPhone can open your vault. Paperwise’s backup (or sync, Pro) is the way to keep a copy and move it.

When to use it

Always, unless you use sync and are happy relying on your other devices. Even then, the backup is a second safety net.
Before you replace or reset your iPhone.

Step by step

Turn it on

Tap your avatar on the Vault to open Account.
Under Back up my stuff, tap iCloud backup.
Turn on Back up to iCloud.
Paperwise sets up the key:
- If you’re signed in with Apple and have an account recovery key, it asks for it (“Enter your recovery key”). Your backup then uses the same key, so there’s only one key to keep. Type it and tap Turn on backup. If you’ve lost it, tap Use a separate key for the backup.
- Otherwise, Paperwise shows a new backup recovery key, once. Save it somewhere safe, like a password manager. Tap Copy if you like (the clipboard clears in 60 seconds), tick I saved my recovery key and tap Done.
The first backup starts. The Status row shows “Backing up… n of N”.

You can also turn it on from the last step of your first run: Turn on encrypted iCloud backup.

Check it’s working

On the iCloud backup screen:

Status: “Up to date”, “n changes waiting”, “Backing up…” or a plain message if something needs your attention.
Last backup: when it last finished.
In iCloud: how much space it uses.

In Account, the iCloud backup row shows the date and size, or “Needs attention”.

When it runs

It runs by itself: on Wi-Fi while your iPhone is charging, when you leave the app, and at least once a day after changes. Automatic backups use Wi-Fi only, unless you turn on Use cellular data (under Back up to iCloud). Tap Back up now to run it straight away; on cellular, Paperwise asks first.

Stop or delete it

Turn off Back up to iCloud and tap Stop. The backup stays in iCloud as it is. Turn it on again to continue it.
Tap Delete backup, then Delete backup again. Every Paperwise record is removed from your iCloud. Documents on your iPhone stay. Delete backup shows only while the backup is on.
When you delete your Paperwise account, you can turn on Also delete your iCloud backup to delete it and turn it off at the same time. Otherwise the backup stays, and its recovery key still opens it. See Delete your account.

Free and Pro

The iCloud backup is free for everyone. Sync across iPhone and iPad is Pro. Both can be on at once.

Privacy

Privacy: Your documents are encrypted on your iPhone before they go to iCloud, with a key protected by your recovery key. Paperwise doesn’t have that key and doesn’t see your backup at all. Apple sees record counts, sizes and dates, but can’t open your documents.

Because the number of records follows the number of items, Apple can roughly tell how many items you have, Hidden ones included, but not which are hidden or what they are.

Note: If you lose your iPhone and your recovery key, nobody can open the backup, including us. Keep the recovery key somewhere safe and separate from your phone. See Your recovery key.

Tips

Your Hidden spaces have their own recovery keys, separate from the backup’s. Keep those too.
There’s one Paperwise backup per Apple ID. To use Paperwise on an iPhone and an iPad together, use sync.
If you change your account’s recovery key, a backup that uses it switches to the new key at its next run.
Deleting and reinstalling Paperwise removes the backup’s key from this iPhone. The backup stays in iCloud, and your recovery key opens it again with Restore from iCloud backup.

What if…

Your iPhone isn’t signed in to iCloud. Sign in from the Settings app, then come back and tap Back up now.

What if it says “Your iCloud storage is full; free up space or upgrade iCloud.”?

The backup counts against your own iCloud storage. Free up space in iCloud or choose a larger iCloud plan in Settings.

What if it says “You’re offline. Paperwise backs up when you’re connected.”?

It will catch up by itself once you’re back online.

What if it says “There’s already a Paperwise backup in your iCloud”?

Another iPhone on your Apple ID made a backup. Choose Restore it to bring its documents to this iPhone and continue that backup, or Replace it to delete it and back up this iPhone instead. Replacing can’t be undone.

What if it says “Your backup was deleted from iCloud”?

It was removed in iCloud settings or replaced from another iPhone. Turn the backup on again to start a new one.