Backups & restore points · Encryption and passphrases
What happens if I lose my backup passphrase?
Short answer: Those cloud backups can't be recovered by anyone, including us — the passphrase is the only key. Try variants with Re-enter passphrase…; if it's truly lost, Delete & start fresh begins a new backup.
Those cloud backups can't be recovered — by you, by Storage Studio, or by anyone else. The passphrase is the only key, and nobody keeps a copy, which is what keeps the backup private in the first place.
What you can do: - Try every variant you might have typed using Re-enter passphrase… — Storage Studio checks each attempt live. - If it's truly gone, choose Delete & start fresh to remove the old versions and start a new backup with a new passphrase. Your files on the Mac are unaffected.
Backups to a drive don't use a passphrase, so this only applies to cloud backups.