I lost my form encryption key. Is there a way to recover the key?

  • wimmelchen
    Asked on August 10, 2016 at 7:27 AM
    Hi there, I'm having the same problem. I didn't know you had to download the encryption key (or I don't recall having downloaded one). What file extension would the key have so perhaps if I did download I can find it based on the extension. I've switched off the form encryption and that didn't help. Also, you say the key is stored in my browser but Im getting a Encryption Key Wizard asking for my key and everything is still encrypted. Please help!
  • Kiran Support Team Lead
    Replied on August 10, 2016 at 7:45 AM

    The encryption key will be generated for the form when the form encryption key is enabled. Generally, the downloaded keys are stored in the Downloads folder if you are using Windows Operating system. By default, the key is having the file name as jotform.key unless you change the file name. You may search for the files with the extension of .key. 

    If the browser cache or storage is cleared, the key stored in the browser will also be cleared. When you view the submissions, it will be prompted again to upload the key. If you switch off the encryption key, the new submissions received after turning off will be able to read normally. However, the existing encrypted form submissions cannot be decrypted without the key file.

    Please refer to the guide below that can help you with more information on the Encrypted forms.

    https://www.jotform.com/help/344-What-are-Encrypted-Forms-and-how-to-use-them-as-expert

    Hope this information helps!

  • JKOlsen
    Replied on August 31, 2016 at 2:17 PM

    I sure didn't know this either, wimmelchen.  

    I have business information that I can't recover at this time.  I think JotForm has not done well with letting users know about this - I thought the encryption was something JotForm was defaulting to and don't recall seeing anything about the Encryption Key being stored on my computer.  Very disappointed in JotForm at this time.

    The more I'm looking at the screen, the more certain I am that I NEVER saw the option of creating my own, downloading, etc when I created the most recent forms. I NEVER saw anything about saving it on my computer. 

    Also I'm a Mac user and I don't see any info about where this key might be found in my OS.

     

    BTW searching for a '.key' file in mac brings up every keynote file.

     

  • Kiran Support Team Lead
    Replied on August 31, 2016 at 3:50 PM

    @JKOlsen,

    Your concern is moved to a separate thread and shall be addressed there shortly.

    https://www.jotform.com/answers/921529

    Thank you!