Frequently asked questions

What does end-to-end encryption mean?

End-to-end encryption is a method of securing communication where data is encrypted before being sent by the sender and only decrypted once it reaches the intended recipient. This means that the data is protected throughout its transmission, preventing both the service provider and other third parties who may have access to the transmission from reading the content of the messages.

Can zeitkapsl see my photos and videos?

No. Your files are encrypted with a key before being uploaded to our servers. Only you can access these keys with your password. Since only you know the password, only you can decrypt your files.

Where is my data stored?

Your data is stored with two cloud storage providers in Germany.

Does zeitkapsl work offline?

Yes. You don’t need internet access to use zeitkapsl. While zeitkapsl communicates with the cloud, a local copy is stored on the device for faster access. Thus, you can use zeitkapsl offline as well. When you use zeitkapsl without an internet connection, your data will be synchronized once you are back online.

Yes. You can share your account with other individuals. To do so, go to Account Settings where you can send invitations.

Will I get my photos and videos back in their original quality?

What about the EXIF metadata?

Which file formats does zeitkapsl support?

Photo: JPEG, WEBP, PNG, (HEIC, DSC-RAW, Motion Photos in progress) Video: MOV, MP4 with H.264/AVC (HEVC/HEIV in progress)

Is there a file size limitation?

No.

Are the metadata of my images and videos encrypted?

Yes, except for the timestamp. All other metadata is encrypted end-to-end.

On which devices does zeitkapsl work?

Currently on all major browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge). Android from version 10. iPhone from version 17.0 in progress.

What happens if I exceed my storage limit?

You won’t be able to back up any more photos and videos, but you still have access to all the photos stored in zeitkapsl. We will notify you in advance when your storage space is running low.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

After your subscription expires, you have an additional 14 days to take all your photos out of zeitkapsl. Afterwards, your account along with your data will be deleted in compliance with GDPR. You can reactivate your account at any time within this period. Before expiration, you will receive an email asking you to remove all backed-up data.

When can I cancel my subscription?

Anytime, but already paid months will not be refunded.

Simply select the desired images and videos or entire albums, click on Share, and distribute the secure link to friends and family.

Are duplicates of images and videos detected?

zeitkapsl automatically prevents you from unnecessarily occupying your storage space and ensures that no photos and videos are uploaded twice.

What happens if I forget my password?

During registration, you will receive a “Recovery Kit” for download, which you can use to reset your password at any time. Without this PDF, we cannot restore your data since we do not have access to it ourselves. So, please keep your “Recovery Kit” safe and ideally with your other important documents such as your birth certificate.

I lost my Recovery Kit, where can I get it again?

If you still remember your current password, you can generate and save a new Recovery Kit anytime under Account Settings.

How much is 200 gigabytes of storage for you?

200 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes = 200 GiBs

Is 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) supported?

Not yet, but we are working on it.

Can I transfer my data from Google Photos or iCloud to you?

We are working on an easy-to-use import tool that will allow us to automatically import your data from other cloud services.

No, access to the shared link is sufficient. However, if your friends and family have their own accounts, they can also save the link in their account and receive notifications when new photos and videos are added.