Your encrypted photo and video storage

What does end-to-end encryption mean?

End-to-end encryption is a method of securing communication where the data is encrypted before being sent by the sender and only decrypted when it reaches the intended recipient. This means that the data is protected throughout its entire transmission path, so neither the service provider nor any other third parties who may have access to the transmission can read the content of the messages.

Can zeitkapsl see my photos and videos?

No. Your files are encrypted with a key before they are uploaded to our servers. Only your password can unlock this key. 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. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

How can I migrate from Google Photos?

We described the process here.

How can I migrate from iCloud?

Download the iOS app, enable access to your iCloud library, start uploading. That’s it!

How can I migrate from my NAS / External drive?

Download the Desktop app. Place your photos in a folder and select it it in the app. Each subfolder will be uploaded as its own album, preserving your existing structure and organization.

Is there a free tier / free account?

No, but you’re welcome to try our demo (read-only). Our most affordable plan starts at just €2 per month, and you have a 14-day full money-back guarantee.

Why isn’t there a free tier / free account?

Our goal is to offer a fair service to all users. There is also storage and server infrastructure costs. We don’t want to fund ourselves through ads or by selling user data. We believe it’s fair to pay for a service that keeps your data secure and private. Our product is zeitkapsl – not your data.

What payment methods do you offer?

We currently accept debit and credit card payments.

Why only credit cards?

PayPal is a frequent request – however, we’ve made a conscious decision not to support platforms associated with Elon Musk.

We’ve also chosen not to support Klarna, as we’re critical of their business model – particularly with regard to young users and the risk of debt.

That said, we’re open to alternatives! Feel free to reach out to us at support@zeitkapsl.eu.

What if zeitkapsl goes bankrupt — are my photos gone?

If that ever happens, we’ll give you plenty of notice in advance. With zeitkapsl, your data is always yours — you can download everything in original quality, including all metadata, at any time. We also provide a simple way to export your entire library in one go, so you’re never locked in.

Does zeitkapsl work offline?

Yes. You do not need a permanent internet connection to use zeitkapsl. While zeitkapsl communicates with the cloud, a local copy is stored on your device for faster access. Thus, you can also use zeitkapsl offline. When you use zeitkapsl without an internet connection, your data will be updated as soon as you are back online.

Yes. You can share your account with others. Go to the Account Settings to send invitations.

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

Yes. You will receive your data exactly as you uploaded it, including EXIF metadata and in its original quality.

What file formats does zeitkapsl support?

Photos: JPEG, WEBP, PNG, and HEIC. Motion/Live Photos are in progress but are already being backed up.
Videos: MOV, MP4 with H.264/AVC or HEVC/HEIV.

If you use Safari (mobile) for uploading photos/videos they will be automatically converted to JPG/MP4. When using the native iOS app, your photos/videos will stay in the native file format.

Is there a file size limit?

Yes, we do not support individual files larger than 4 GB.

Are the metadata of my photos and videos encrypted?

Yes, except for the timestamp, which we are working on removing as well. All other metadata is stored with end-to-end encryption.

On which devices does zeitkapsl work?

Currently, it works on all major browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge). Android version 10 and above are supported, so we also support older devices. iPhones are supported from iOS 17.0 onwards.

What happens if I exceed my storage capacity?

You will no longer be able to back up additional photos and videos, but you will still have access to all the photos you have previously stored in zeitkapsl. We will notify you in advance when your storage capacity is running low.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

After your subscription ends, you will have an additional 14 days to take all your photos out of zeitkapsl. After that, your account and data will be deleted in accordance with GDPR regulations. Within this period, you can reactivate your account at any time. Before the subscription expires, you will receive an email reminding you to take out all your backed-up data.

When can I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime, but any paid months will not be refunded.

It’s simple—select the photos and videos or entire albums you want to share, click “Share,” and send the secure link or QR code to friends and family.

Does zeitkapsl recognize duplicates of photos and videos?

Yes, zeitkapsl ensures that no photos or videos are uploaded multiple times, saving storage space. Duplicates are detected based on a bit-by-bit comparison. This means that only identical files – with exactly the same content – are recognized as duplicates. If a file is modified even slightly (for example, by a different thumbnail or camera information), our system treats it as a new file.

The detection is based on a SHA-1 hash comparison. Only exact duplicates will be prevented from being uploaded again.

What happens if I forget my password?

When you create your account, you’ll receive a Recovery Kit (PDF download). This kit allows you to reset your password at any time—even if you lose access to your device.

⚠️ Without the Recovery Kit, we cannot restore your data, as it is end-to-end encrypted and we have no access to it.

Please store your Recovery Kit securely—just like you would with important documents such as your birth certificate.

To reset your password, go to the Forgot Password page from the login screen and follow the instructions.

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

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

Does zeitkapsl support 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) or MFA?

Yes, zeitkapsl supports Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords), following the RFC 6238 standard. You can enable 2FA at any time in your account settings.

What if I lose access to my 2FA device or recovery key?

If you lose access to your 2FA device, follow the account recovery process—just like with a forgotten password. To start, visit the Forgot password page and follow the instructions. If you’re unable to recover access, please contact our support team for further assistance.

How much is 200 GB of storage with you?

200 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes = 200 GiBs

No, accessing 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.

Frequently asked questions