---
id: troubleshooting.changing-backup-passphrase-deletes-versions
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/changing-backup-passphrase-deletes-versions
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Backup messages"
question: "Why does changing a backup's passphrase delete every existing version?"
alt_questions:
  - "changing the passphrase permanently deletes every existing version"
  - "change backup passphrase storage studio"
  - "new passphrase backup starts from scratch"
  - "old backup versions can't be reopened new passphrase"
short_answer: "Versions are encrypted with the passphrase, so a new one can't open them — changing it deletes them and starts fresh. To reconnect, enter the original passphrase instead."
tags: ["backup", "passphrase", "encryption"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/destination-holds-backup-with-different-passphrase", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/passphrase-on-file-doesnt-unlock"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does changing a backup's passphrase delete every existing version?

A backup's versions are encrypted with its passphrase. A new passphrase can't open versions made with the old one, so they'd be unreadable — which is why changing it means deleting them and starting a fresh backup.

If you just need to reconnect to existing versions (for example on a new Mac), don't change the passphrase — enter the **original** one instead, and Storage Studio reconnects without deleting anything.