Data

How to keep a copy of a standalone vault updated in a folder

You can put a copy of a standalone vault in a folder on your Mac or Windows PC, and 1Password will automatically keep it up to date.

Tip

If you want your data on all your devices, there’s an easier way to sync 1Password.

If you don’t want the benefits of a 1Password account or just don’t want your data to leave your local network – whether personal preference or corporate requirement – 1Password can keep a copy of a vault updated in a folder you specify.

To keep that folder in sync with other computers, configure your preferred sync solution separately.

Important

The steps below only make a copy of your data available on your device. If you don’t take additional steps to sync the data with another device, it will be lost if you ever lose or erase your device.

Sync to a local folder

  1. Open and unlock 1Password.
  2. Choose 1Password > Settings or Preferences.
  3. Click the Sync icon. If you have multiple vaults, be sure to select the correct one on the left, then choose Folder from the menu.
  4. Click Choose, then select the folder where you want 1Password to keep a copy of your vault.

Important

Only sync to a folder on a local or removable drive, like an external hard drive or USB flash drive. Syncing to a folder on a network volume, like a Time Capsule or other NAS, may cause problems if the device goes offline.

After you click Create New, 1Password will keep your vault up to date in that folder.

Because 1Password has no way of knowing what your sync solution is up to in the background, “last synced” only indicates the last time the data was written to or read from the local folder on that specific Mac.

  1. Open and unlock 1Password.
  2. Click All Vaults at the top of the sidebar or choose View > Show Vaults (or press Ctrl + D). If you have a different vault selected, you’ll see its name instead of All Vaults.
  3. Click next to the name of the vault and choose Enable sync.
  4. Enter a password for the vault.
  5. Click Choose, then select the folder where you want 1Password to keep a copy of your vault.

Important

Only sync to a folder on a local or removable drive, like an external hard drive or USB flash drive. Syncing to a folder on a network volume, like a NAS, may cause problems if the device goes offline.

After you click Continue, 1Password will keep your vault up to date in that folder.

When you first set up 1Password on your Android device:

  1. Open 1Password.
  2. Tap Local storage on the Welcome screen. If you see “Allow 1Password to access photos, media, and files on your device”, tap Allow.
  3. Choose the folder where you keep a copy of your 1Password vault, then select the vault.
  4. Enter your password and tap Start sync.

From now on, 1Password will keep your vault up to date in that folder.

Get help

Local folder syncing in 1Password can be complex and depend on many factors, including your network and software configuration.

We’re unable to provide support for issues you might encounter with local folder syncing because we can’t troubleshoot your network or third-party sync solutions.

If you’re unable to get it working properly, a 1Password membership is a more reliable sync method.

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