ZZPass Emergency Kit

📋 What is the Emergency Kit?

The Emergency Kit is a printed or PDF document that contains:

1. Account Recovery Information (free):
• Your account email
• Your Secret Key
• Your primary password
• A QR code encoding all three, so a new device can read them in one scan
• Instructions for account recovery

2. Complete Password Vault (Premium):
• All stored passwords with usernames and websites
• All secure notes
• TOTP secret keys (for recreating 2FA codes)
• Date each item was created and last modified

Attachments and passkeys are not included in the printed document.

Purpose: lets you recover your account if you forget your primary password, and, on Premium, gives you offline access to your passwords when no device will do.

🆘 When You Need Your Emergency Kit

Device Failure or Loss:
• All devices lost, stolen, or damaged simultaneously
• Need to access a password on someone else's device
• Traveling without your devices

Account Recovery:
• Forgot your primary password, which is printed on page 1
• Lost access to all devices with ZZPass installed
• iCloud account issues preventing sync

Estate Planning:
• Providing loved ones access to critical accounts in case of emergency
• Ensuring accounts can be managed by your executor
• Part of digital legacy planning

⚠️ Important Security Note

The Premium Emergency Kit contains your passwords in clear text.

Anyone holding the Premium kit can:
• Read every password in it
• Sign in to those accounts
• Read your primary password and Secret Key off page 1 and restore your entire vault on their own device

The free account information kit carries no stored passwords, but it does print your primary password next to your Secret Key. That combination restores the whole vault, so treat it as the most sensitive page you own, Premium kit or not.

Critical: Store your Emergency Kit as securely as you would store cash, jewelry, or important legal documents. Never leave it where others can easily find it.

Recommended storage: Home safe, bank safety deposit box, locked filing cabinet, or fireproof document safe.

📱 On iPhone or iPad

Step 1: Access the Emergency Kit Feature

1. Open ZZPass
2. Tap Settings (gear icon)
3. Tap Account
4. Tap Create Emergency Kit
5. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your primary password

Step 2: Review the Contents

You'll see a preview showing:
• Your account email
• Your Secret Key
• Your primary password
• A QR code encoding all three
• On Premium: a complete list of all passwords (alphabetically sorted)
• On Premium: all secure notes
• Number of items included

Step 3: Generate the Document

1. Tap Generate Emergency Kit
2. Choose format:
   • Print - Send directly to printer via AirPrint
   • Save as PDF - Save to Files app
3. Complete the action

💻 On Mac

Step 1: Access the Emergency Kit Feature

1. Open ZZPass for Mac
2. Go to ZZPass → Settings (or press ⌘,)
3. Click Account
4. Click Create Emergency Kit
5. Authenticate with Touch ID or your primary password

Step 2: Review the Contents

A preview window displays:
• Your account email
• Secret Key prominently at the top
• Your primary password
• A QR code encoding all three
• On Premium: a complete formatted list of all passwords
• On Premium: all secure notes
• A layout built for printing

Step 3: Generate the Document

1. Click Generate Emergency Kit
2. Choose:
   • Print (⌘P) - Send to connected printer
   • Save as PDF - Save to chosen location
3. Complete the action

📄 What's Included in the Document

Page 1: Account Recovery (every plan)

• Account email: the address your account is under
• Secret Key: in large, clear text
• Primary password: in clear text, so recovery doesn't depend on memory
• QR code: encodes all three, so a new device can read them in one scan
• Recovery Instructions: step-by-step guide to restoring the account
• Security Warning: reminder to keep this document secure

Subsequent Pages: Password Vault (Premium)

On Premium, for each password:
• Website/Service Name: (e.g., "Apple ID", "Gmail")
• Website URL: Full URL if saved
• Username: Email or username
• Password: In clear text
• TOTP Secret: If 2FA is configured
• Notes: Any additional information
• Dates: Created and last modified

Footer: Each page includes generation date and page numbers

🏠 Storage Recommendations

Tier 1: Maximum Security (Recommended)

Bank Safety Deposit Box:
• Most secure option
• Protected by bank vault security
• Requires physical visit to access
• Cost: ~$50-200/year depending on box size
• Best for: Primary Emergency Kit copy

Home Safe (Fire & Water Resistant):
• UL-rated fireproof safe (1-2 hour fire rating)
• Waterproof seal
• Bolted to floor or wall
• Immediate access when needed
• Best for: Backup copy at home

Tier 2: Good Security

Locked Filing Cabinet:
• Better than nothing
• Keep key separate from cabinet
• Place in private room
• Acceptable for: Low-traffic household

❌ Where NOT to Store It

Never store your Emergency Kit in:

• Unlocked desk drawers - Too easily accessible
• Nightstand or bedside table - Common burglary target
• Office at work - Not private enough
• Car glove box - Risk of theft or fire
• With your computer - Defeats offline backup purpose
• In plain sight - Even labeled as something else
• Unencrypted cloud storage - Defeats security model
• Email to yourself - Extremely insecure

The "Hiding Place" Myth:

Don't rely on hiding the Emergency Kit in a "secret spot" like:
• Behind a picture frame
• In a book on a shelf
• Under a mattress
• In the freezer

These are common hiding spots that burglars check. Use proper secure storage instead.

🔒 Additional Security Measures

1. Splitting the pages doesn't split the risk

It is tempting to store page 1 apart from the password pages, but it buys you nothing:
• Page 1 carries your primary password and your Secret Key
• That pair alone restores the entire vault, on any device
• So whoever holds page 1 holds everything, whatever you did with the rest

Secure page 1 as well as you would the whole document. If you want a copy that is safe to split up, print the Premium kit and keep only selected password pages elsewhere.

2. Multiple Copies

Create redundant copies in different locations:
• Primary copy: Bank safety deposit box
• Secondary copy: Home safe
• Tertiary copy: Trusted family member's safe

3. Sealed Envelope Method

Place Emergency Kit in a tamper-evident sealed envelope:
• Sign across the seal
• Date the seal
• You'll know if it's been opened without authorization

💾 If You Saved as PDF

PDF Emergency Kits require extra security:

Recommended: Encrypt the PDF

On Mac:
1. Open PDF in Preview
2. File → Export
3. Check "Encrypt"
4. Enter a strong password (different from primary password)
5. Save encrypted version
6. Delete unencrypted original

On iOS:
1. Use Files app → Select PDF
2. Share → Print
3. Pinch-to-zoom on print preview to save as PDF
4. Use third-party app (like PDF Expert) to add password protection

Storage: Encrypted PDF can be stored in iCloud Drive or on external encrypted drive, but physical copies are still recommended.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sharing with Trusted Individuals

Anyone you hand page 1 to can restore your whole vault, since your primary password and Secret Key are printed there. Every case below is a deliberate full handover, so share it only where you mean exactly that.

When to Share:

• Estate planning (executor of your will)
• Aging parents who may need help
• Trusted family member for emergencies
• Business partner for company accounts

How to Share Safely:

1. In-person delivery only: Never email or text
2. Discuss security: Explain the importance of keeping it secure
3. Provide storage instructions: Give them a safe or lockbox
4. Sealed envelope: Use tamper-evident seal
5. "In case of emergency" instructions: When they should open it

Legal Option: Give sealed Emergency Kit to your attorney with instructions to provide to your executor upon your death or incapacity.

🔄 Keeping Your Kit Current

Update Your Emergency Kit When:

• You add many new passwords (10+ additions)
• You change passwords for critical accounts (email, banking)
• You change your primary password, since the printed one is then out of date
• It's been more than 1 year since last generation

Update Process:

1. Generate new Emergency Kit
2. Destroy old copies securely (shred or burn)
3. Store new copies in same secure locations
4. Update any copies held by trusted individuals

Tip: Write "Generated: [Date]" on the first page to track which version is current.

🔓 Using the Secret Key

If you have lost your devices but still know your primary password:

1. Install ZZPass on the new device
2. Choose Recover Account
3. Retrieve your Emergency Kit from secure storage
4. Enter the Secret Key exactly as shown on page 1
5. Enter your primary password
6. Your vault decrypts and syncs

If you have forgotten your primary password, read it off page 1 of the kit: it is printed there beside the Secret Key, which is the whole reason the document exists. Without the kit, biometric recovery is the route back in.

→ Complete account recovery guide

🔑 Using Individual Passwords (Premium)

These steps need the Premium kit, which is the one that prints your stored passwords. The free kit holds page 1 only.

When you need to access an account without your devices:

1. Retrieve your Emergency Kit
2. Find the account in the alphabetical list
3. Note the website URL, username, and password
4. Navigate to the website on any device
5. Manually type the username and password
6. If 2FA is enabled, use the TOTP secret:
   • Download any TOTP app (Google Authenticator, Authy)
   • Enter the TOTP secret from Emergency Kit
   • Use the generated 6-digit code

After the emergency: When you regain access to your devices, verify that the passwords in your Emergency Kit match what's in ZZPass. Update your Emergency Kit if passwords have changed.

📝 Notes and Additional Info

Reading Secure Notes (Premium):

The Premium Emergency Kit includes all secure notes:
• Credit card numbers
• Software license keys
• WiFi passwords
• Security question answers
• Any other information stored in notes

Format: notes appear after the passwords, each labelled with its title and full content.

TOTP Secret Keys (Premium):

If you stored TOTP codes for two-factor authentication:
• The TOTP secret appears under each password entry
• Enter this secret into any authenticator app
• The app will generate matching 6-digit codes
• Use these codes for 2FA login

✅ Do This

Create an Emergency Kit immediately after setting up ZZPass and storing important passwords.

Store in multiple secure locations - At minimum, one copy in bank safety deposit box and one in home safe.

Tell trusted person about it - Spouse or executor should know the Emergency Kit exists and where to find it.

Check the printout against the app once after generating it: the Secret Key and email on page 1 should match what Settings → Account shows. This needs no password change and cannot invalidate the document.

Include it in estate planning - Ensure executor knows about Emergency Kit location.

Update annually - Even if passwords haven't changed much, refresh it once a year to maintain accuracy.

❌ Don't Do This

Don't delay creating it - "I'll do it later" often means never. Create it while you're thinking about it.

Don't store it digitally without encryption - An unencrypted PDF on your computer defeats the security model.

Don't email or text it - Even to yourself. These are not secure communication methods.

Don't keep it with your devices - If your house burns down or is burglarized, you'll lose both.

Don't share it unnecessarily - Only share with people who truly need emergency access (spouse, executor).

Don't use it as your primary access method - It's for emergencies only. Use ZZPass app normally.

⚖️ Legal Considerations

Estate Planning Integration

• Include Emergency Kit location in your will or trust documents
• Inform executor about digital assets and access
• Consider specific instructions for different account types
• Review with estate planning attorney

Power of Attorney

If you have power of attorney documents:
• Consider giving attorney-in-fact access to Emergency Kit
• Include instructions on when they can access it
• Ensure they know where it's stored

Terms of Service Compliance

Some services prohibit sharing credentials. Your Emergency Kit should be used for:
• Your own recovery
• Authorized account management after death
• Emergency access by legal representatives

Do I really need an Emergency Kit?

Highly recommended, especially if:

• You have critical accounts (email, banking, medical)
• You're the only person who knows your passwords
• Your family would need access in an emergency
• You want a complete offline backup
• You're concerned about forgetting your primary password

Consider this: If you lost all your devices tomorrow and forgot your primary password, how would you access your email? Your bank? Your medical records? The Emergency Kit ensures you're never completely locked out.

How often should I update my Emergency Kit?

Minimum: Once per year

Update more frequently if:
• You changed your primary password, since the printed one is then wrong
• You added 10+ new important passwords
• You changed passwords for critical accounts
• Life changes (marriage, divorce, new job)

Set a reminder: Add a calendar reminder every January 1st to review and update your Emergency Kit.

Can I just write down the Secret Key instead?

You can, but the free printout already beats it, because it adds your primary password and a QR code alongside the key:

Secret Key written down alone:
• Only half of what recovery needs, so it depends on you remembering your primary password
• Still requires a device with ZZPass
• Still requires iCloud sync to restore vault
• Doesn't help if devices and iCloud are unavailable

Free Account Emergency Kit:
• Your email, Secret Key and primary password, plus a QR code, which is everything needed to restore the vault

Full Emergency Kit (Premium):
• All of the above, plus every password and note
• Lets you reach an account from any device
• Works even with no ZZPass device to hand
• Attachments and passkeys are not included in the print

Recommendation: print the free account information kit whatever your plan, rather than copying the key by hand. On Premium, the full kit is the one worth storing in a safe.

What if someone finds my Emergency Kit?

Immediate Actions:

1. Change critical passwords immediately: Email, banking, work accounts first
2. Change your primary password, ticking the box to generate a new Secret Key at the same time. Without that box, the Secret Key on the found document stays valid
3. Enable 2FA on all accounts if not already enabled
4. Monitor accounts for suspicious activity
5. Generate new Emergency Kit with updated passwords
6. Store it more securely this time

Prevention is key: Store Emergency Kit as securely as you would $10,000 in cash.

Can I create multiple Emergency Kits for different people?

ZZPass generates one document at a time: account information on a free account, or account information plus all passwords and notes on Premium. To give different people different things:

You can customize what you share:
• Generate the full Emergency Kit for yourself
• For others: extract only the password pages they actually need
• Keep page 1 back unless you intend to hand over the whole account, since your primary password and Secret Key are both printed there
• Use a PDF editor to pull out specific pages

Example:
• Give executor: the full Emergency Kit, page 1 included
• Give spouse: the pages for critical accounts
• Give adult child: the one or two pages they need

Does creating an Emergency Kit compromise my security?

Security trade-off:

Digital-only storage (most secure):
+ Passwords never leave encrypted vault
- Total loss if you forget your primary password without biometric recovery enabled, since the Secret Key cannot stand in for it
- Family can't access accounts in emergency

With Emergency Kit (recommended):
+ Insurance against losing all access
+ Family can manage accounts if needed
+ Complete offline backup
- Physical document must be secured

Verdict: For most people, the security benefit of having a properly-secured Emergency Kit outweighs the risk of not having one. The key is proper physical security.