---
id: backups.what-does-passphrase-didnt-match-mean
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/what-does-passphrase-didnt-match-mean
category: "Backups & restore points"
subcategory: "Encryption and passphrases"
question: "What does \"That backup passphrase didn't match\" mean?"
alt_questions:
  - "backup passphrase error"
  - "backup won't run wrong passphrase"
  - "passphrase didn't match Storage Studio"
  - "Why does my cloud backup say the passphrase is wrong?"
  - "backup needs attention passphrase"
short_answer: "The passphrase saved on this Mac doesn't unlock that cloud backup — usually a typo at setup. Click Re-enter passphrase…, type the one the backup was made with and click Reconnect. Nothing is deleted."
tags: ["passphrase", "error", "needs attention"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/is-it-safe-to-re-enter-my-backup-passphrase", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/why-does-my-backup-stop-retrying-after-a-passphrase-error"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does "That backup passphrase didn't match" mean?

It means the passphrase saved on this Mac no longer unlocks that cloud backup — most often a typo when it was first set. Nothing has been deleted.

To fix it:
1. Open Data Backup and find the set marked **Needs attention**.
2. Click **Re-enter passphrase…**.
3. Type the passphrase the backup was actually encrypted with and click **Reconnect**.

Storage Studio checks it against the backup right away (*"Checking… a cloud backup can take a minute."*). If it matches, the set reconnects to all your existing versions and carries on. If it doesn't, the dialog stays open so you can try another variant.