Changing your encryption setting
The protection setting is chosen when your workspace is created and applies to everything stored in it. Changing it is possible, but it is a destructive operation — read this first.
What happens
- Everything stored on the server is deleted, including all version history and any deleted files you have not restored.
- Your local files are untouched and are uploaded again under the new setting.
- A new encryption key is issued; the old one is retired.
Files cannot simply be converted, because the setting decides how every stored file was written in the first place.
How to do it
- Sign out of Sync on every other computer. The app will offer to do this for you if you have not.
- Open Account → Encryption and choose the new setting. If you are moving to end-to-end encryption, set a passphrase.
- Read the warning and confirm.
- Your files upload again from this computer. Sign back in on your other machines afterwards.
Why other devices must be signed out
A device still running holds the old key and would upload files under the old setting while the workspace is being cleared — leaving a mixture that is exactly what the change is meant to avoid.