Question 1

What is SimpleSafeCloud?

Accepted Answer

SimpleSafeCloud is a zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage service. Your files are encrypted on your device before they are uploaded, meaning not even we can see your photos, documents, or personal files. Only you hold the key.

Question 2

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Visit our signup page and enter your email and a strong password. You'll receive a verification email. Click the link to activate your account. During setup, you'll create an encryption password and receive a 12-word recovery key. Write it down and store it somewhere safe.

Question 3

What happens after I sign up?

Accepted Answer

After signing up, you'll be taken to the Welcome page where you'll set your encryption password (minimum 8 characters with at least one letter and one digit). You'll then see your 12-word recovery key. Save it somewhere safe! Finally, you can upload your first file right from the Welcome page, or click "Continue to Files" to get started.

Question 4

What is zero-knowledge encryption?

Accepted Answer

Zero-knowledge encryption means your files are encrypted on your device before they leave it. The encryption key is derived from your password, which we never see or store. This means SimpleSafeCloud cannot read, scan, or access your files. Ever.

Question 5

What devices can I use SimpleSafeCloud on?

Accepted Answer

SimpleSafeCloud works in any modern web browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile. There's no app to install. Just go to simplesafecloud.com and log in from any device. We also have a Chrome extension for quick access to your password vault.

Question 6

What is included in the free plan?

Accepted Answer

The free plan includes 2 GB of encrypted storage for your files and photos. To access Notes, Password Vault, Messages, and Time Capsules, you can start a free 10-day trial or upgrade to a paid plan.

Question 7

How do I upload my first file?

Accepted Answer

After logging in, click the upload button (the + icon) at the bottom of the screen on mobile, or in the top-right on desktop. You can also drag and drop files directly into the browser window. Your files are encrypted automatically before they leave your device.

Question 8

How do I upload files?

Accepted Answer

Click the upload button (+ icon) or drag and drop files into the browser. You can select multiple files at once. On mobile, tap the floating upload button at the bottom-right. Your files are encrypted automatically before upload. No extra steps needed.

Question 9

Can I upload multiple files at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When the file picker opens, use Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select all files, or hold Ctrl/Cmd and click to select specific ones. You can also drag and drop multiple files at once. Each file shows its own progress bar as it encrypts and uploads.

Question 10

How do I create folders?

Accepted Answer

On the Files page, click the "New Folder" button. Enter a name for your folder and click Create. Folder names are encrypted just like file names. We can't see them.

Question 11

How do I download files?

Accepted Answer

Click on a file to select it, then click the Download button. The encrypted file is fetched from our servers and decrypted on your device before saving. Only you can decrypt it.

Question 12

What file types are supported?

Accepted Answer

SimpleSafeCloud supports all file types: photos, videos, documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and more. Since we encrypt everything, there are no file type restrictions.

Question 13

How large can my files be?

Accepted Answer

There's no per-file size limit beyond your storage plan. Large files are automatically split into 5 MB chunks, encrypted individually, and uploaded in parallel for faster transfers.

Question 14

How do I search for files?

Accepted Answer

Use the search bar at the top of the Files page. Type any part of the file name to filter results. File names are decrypted locally on your device to search. The server never sees the search query or file names.

Question 15

What happens when I upload a file that already exists?

Accepted Answer

SimpleSafeCloud detects duplicate file names and gives you three options: Replace (overwrite the existing file), Keep Both (upload with a numbered suffix like "photo (1).jpg"), or Skip (cancel the upload for that file).

Question 16

How do I recover deleted files?

Accepted Answer

Deleted files are moved to your Trash folder and kept for 30 days before permanent deletion. Go to Trash in the sidebar to restore any recently deleted files. You can restore individual files or use bulk actions to restore multiple files at once.

Question 17

How long are my files stored?

Accepted Answer

Your files are stored for as long as your account is active. There is no time limit. Files remain available indefinitely on any paid plan. On the free plan, files are kept as long as you're within your 2 GB storage limit. We never delete your files without your action.

Question 18

How do I back up my photos?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Photos tab and tap the upload button. Select the photos you want to back up (you can select multiple at once). Each photo is encrypted on your device before upload. A progress bar shows "Encrypting photo X of Y" and then "Uploading photo X of Y" so you can track the process.

Question 19

How do I view my backed-up photos?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Photos tab to see all your backed-up photos in a grid. Click any photo to preview it. Your photos are decrypted locally in your browser. They're never visible to our servers.

Question 20

Can I search my photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Use the search bar on the Photos page to filter by file name. Type any part of the photo name to find what you're looking for.

Question 21

Are my photos encrypted the same way as files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, photos use the exact same AES-256-GCM encryption as all other files. They're encrypted on your device before upload, and only you can decrypt them. Even photo thumbnails are encrypted.

Question 22

Can I select and download multiple photos at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use multi-select mode to check multiple photos, then use the batch download or delete options. You can also select all photos in the gallery.

Question 23

How do I create a note?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Notes tab and click "New Note." Enter a title and start typing. Your note is encrypted and saved automatically as you type. No need to press a save button.

Question 24

Are my notes encrypted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both the title and content of every note are encrypted with AES-256-GCM using your personal encryption key before being stored. We cannot read your notes.

Question 25

How does auto-save work?

Accepted Answer

Notes auto-save as you type with a short delay (debounce). You'll see a "Saving..." indicator while it saves, then "Saved" when complete. The save status disappears after a couple of seconds. If there's a problem, you'll see an error indicator with a retry option.

Question 26

Can I search my notes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use the search bar on the Notes page to filter notes by title or content. The search happens locally on your device since all content is encrypted.

Question 27

Can I share or copy a note?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open a note and use the Copy button to copy the content to your clipboard, or the Share button to share it using your device's native sharing options.

Question 28

Are notes available on the free plan?

Accepted Answer

Notes are a premium feature. Free plan users can try Notes with a free 10-day bundle trial, or upgrade to any paid plan for permanent access.

Question 29

What is the Password Vault?

Accepted Answer

The Password Vault is an encrypted password manager built into SimpleSafeCloud. It lets you securely store logins, credit cards, secure notes, and API keys, all encrypted with the same zero-knowledge encryption as your files.

Question 30

What types of entries can I store?

Accepted Answer

You can store four types: Logins (username + password + website), Credit Cards (card number, CVV, expiry), Secure Notes (title + content), and API Keys (key name + secret value). Each type has a dedicated form with the right fields.

Question 31

How do I add a new login?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Passwords tab, click "Add Entry," select "Login" as the type, then fill in the username, password, website/app name, and optional notes. Click Save. The entry is encrypted before being stored.

Question 32

How do I copy a password?

Accepted Answer

Click the copy icon next to any password or credential field. The icon briefly changes to a checkmark to confirm it was copied to your clipboard.

Question 33

Can I import passwords from another password manager?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Click the Import button on the Passwords page and upload a CSV file exported from your other password manager. SimpleSafeCloud will parse the CSV and create encrypted entries for each row.

Question 34

Can I mark entries as favorites?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Click the star icon on any entry to mark it as a favorite. Favorite entries appear at the top of your list for quick access.

Question 35

Is the Password Vault available on the free plan?

Accepted Answer

The Password Vault is a premium feature. Free plan users can try it with a free 10-day bundle trial, or upgrade to any paid plan for permanent access.

Question 36

How do I share a file?

Accepted Answer

Select a file and click "Share." Choose your settings (password protection and expiry time), then click Create. You'll get a secure link to send to the recipient. The decryption key is embedded in the link itself. It's never sent to our servers.

Question 37

What does the # in the share link mean?

Accepted Answer

The # (hash fragment) in the share link contains the decryption key. This part of the URL is never sent to our servers. It stays in the browser. This is how we ensure zero-knowledge sharing: only someone with the full link can decrypt the file.

Question 38

Can I password-protect a shared link?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When creating a share link, toggle on "Use password" and enter a password. The recipient will need to enter this password before they can download and decrypt the file. This adds an extra layer of security beyond the link itself.

Question 39

What expiry options are available for shared links?

Accepted Answer

You can set shared links to expire after: 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or Never (permanent until manually deleted). Choose the shortest time window that makes sense for your needs.

Question 40

How do I manage or revoke shared links?

Accepted Answer

After sharing a file, you can view all active share links in the Share dialog. Each link shows its expiry date and a countdown. Click the delete button next to any link to revoke it immediately. The recipient will no longer be able to download the file.

Question 41

Can the recipient see my other files?

Accepted Answer

No. Share links only give access to the specific file you shared. The recipient cannot see your account, other files, folders, or any other data. Each share link is completely isolated.

Question 42

What does the recipient see when they open a shared link?

Accepted Answer

The recipient sees a clean download page with the file name, a Download button, and trust badges showing the file is end-to-end encrypted. If the link is password-protected, they'll need to enter the password first. The file is decrypted in their browser and downloaded directly.

Question 43

What are Dead Drop messages?

Accepted Answer

Dead Drop is an encrypted self-destructing messaging feature. You compose a message, send it to someone's email, and they can read it once. After it's read (or after it expires), the message is permanently deleted. Everything is encrypted end-to-end.

Question 44

How do I send a Dead Drop message?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Messages tab and click "New Dead Drop." Enter the recipient's email address and your message, then click Send. The message is encrypted before being stored and the recipient receives an email with a link to read it.

Question 45

How many messages can I send?

Accepted Answer

Free plan users have a monthly message limit. Your current usage is shown as "X of Y used this month" when composing a message. Paid plans have higher or unlimited message allowances.

Question 46

What are Time Capsules?

Accepted Answer

Time Capsules let you schedule a file or message to be delivered to someone at a future date. Think of it as a digital time capsule: you choose the recipient, write a message, optionally attach a file, and set an unlock date. The recipient gets notified when the capsule unlocks.

Question 47

How do I create a Time Capsule?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Capsules tab, fill in the recipient's email and name, write your message, optionally select a file to attach, and pick an unlock date (must be at least tomorrow). Click Create and your capsule will be delivered on the scheduled date.

Question 48

Can I cancel a scheduled Time Capsule?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Go to the Capsules tab, find the capsule with a "Scheduled" status, and click Cancel. Once a capsule has been delivered, it cannot be recalled.

Question 49

What do the capsule statuses mean?

Accepted Answer

Scheduled (blue) means the capsule is waiting for its unlock date. Delivered (green) means the recipient has been notified and can access it. Failed (red) means delivery didn't work, but you can retry. Cancelled (gray) means you cancelled it before delivery.

Question 50

What is Family Observer?

Accepted Answer

Family Observer lets you grant trusted family members access to monitor your account. They can see your storage usage, file count, notes count, and login history. This is designed for families who want peace of mind that their loved ones' digital lives are safe.

Question 51

How do I invite a family member?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Family, then click "Invite Family Member." This generates a unique invite code. Copy the code and share it with your family member. They'll go to their own Family Observer page and paste the code in the "Accept Invite" field.

Question 52

What can my family observer see?

Accepted Answer

Family observers can see your storage usage, file count, notes count, and login history (when you last logged in). They cannot see your actual files, notes, passwords, or any file contents. Everything remains encrypted and private.

Question 53

How do I remove someone's observer access?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Family and find the person in the "Observed By" section. Click the Remove button next to their name. Their access is revoked immediately.

Question 54

What is the Digital Will?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Will lets you designate a beneficiary who can inherit your account under specific conditions (for example, if you haven't logged in for a certain period). Go to Settings > Digital Will to set up a beneficiary, define unlock conditions, and optionally leave a message for them.

Question 55

What plans are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer several plans: Free (2 GB), SimpleSafe ($5/mo or $49/yr, 50 GB), Family Guardian ($9/mo or $89/yr, 200 GB), Premium ($14.99/mo or $99/yr, 500 GB), and Lifetime ($249 one-time, 500 GB). All paid plans include Notes, Password Vault, Messages, and Time Capsules.

Question 56

How do I upgrade my plan?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Billing (or click "Upgrade" anywhere you see it). Choose your preferred plan and billing interval (monthly or annual). You'll be taken to a secure Stripe checkout page to complete your payment. Annual plans save you money compared to monthly.

Question 57

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription. You can cancel anytime. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. After that, you'll be downgraded to the free plan (2 GB). We never charge you after cancellation, and your files are never deleted.

Question 58

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans, no questions asked. Simply email support@simplesafecloud.com within 30 days of purchase and we'll refund you in full. See our Refund Policy page for details.

Question 59

How do I change my payment method?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription. This opens the Stripe customer portal where you can update your credit card, change billing address, and view past invoices.

Question 60

How do I view my payment history?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Billing. Scroll down to the Payment History section where you'll see a table of all your transactions (payments, refunds, subscription changes) with dates and amounts.

Question 61

What happens to my files if I downgrade to the free plan?

Accepted Answer

Your files are never deleted when you downgrade. If your storage exceeds the free plan's 2 GB limit, your files become read-only. You can still download them, but you won't be able to upload new files until you're under the limit or upgrade again.

Question 62

Do you support different currencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We automatically detect your country and display prices in your local currency. We currently support USD, GBP (for UK visitors), and EUR (for EU visitors). The actual charge is processed through Stripe in your local currency.

Question 63

What is a recovery key and why do I need it?

Accepted Answer

Your 12-word recovery key is the only way to regain access to your encrypted files if you forget your password. It's generated once during account setup. Write it down on paper and store it in a safe place. We cannot recover it for you.

Question 64

Where can I find my recovery key?

Accepted Answer

Your recovery key is shown once during signup. If you missed it, go to Settings > Security > Recovery Key. Enter your current password and click "View Key" to see it again. Write it down and store it safely.

How Can We Help?

Getting Started

Files & Folders

Photos & Backup

Encrypted Notes

Password Vault

Messages & Time Capsules

Family Observer & Digital Will

Account & Billing

Security & Encryption

Notifications & Alerts

Troubleshooting

Still Need Help?