Getting Started FAQ
Answers to common questions about installing Ente Locker and setting up your account.
Installation
How do I install Ente Locker on Android?
Install Ente Locker for Android from:
Open the store, search for "Ente Locker", and tap Install.
How do I install Ente Locker on iPhone or iPad?
Install Ente Locker from the iOS App Store.
Open the App Store, search for "Ente Locker", and tap Get.
Is Ente Locker available on desktop?
Ente Locker is currently available only for iOS and Android. Desktop apps are not yet available.
However, public links created in Locker can be opened in any web browser on desktop.
Can I access Locker from a web browser?
There is no web app for Ente Locker at this time. The mobile apps for iOS and Android are required to access your data.
Public links to shared content can be viewed in any web browser.
Account
How do I create a new Ente account?
- Open Ente Locker
- Tap Create account
- Enter your email address
- Create a strong password
- Verify your email with the code sent to you
- Save your recovery key when prompted
Learn more in the Sign up guide.
Can I use my existing Ente Photos account?
Yes. Ente Locker uses the same account system as Ente Photos and Ente Auth. If you already have an Ente account, sign in with your existing email and password.
Your Locker data is stored separately from your Photos and Auth data, but they all use the same account.
How do I log in on multiple devices?
- Install Ente Locker on your additional device
- Tap Sign in
- Enter your Ente email and password
- If 2FA is enabled, enter your authentication code
- Your items will be available
All items you've added will be accessible on the new device.
Do I need separate accounts for different devices?
No. Use the same Ente account on all your devices. Items you add are accessible on all devices signed into the same account.
I'm not receiving the verification email. What should I do?
- Check your spam or junk folder
- Add
noreply@ente.ioto your contacts - Wait a few minutes and try again
- If still not received, contact support@ente.io
Pricing and Plans
Is Ente Locker free?
Yes, Ente Locker has a free tier with the following limits:
- Up to 100 items
- Up to 1GB total storage
For most personal use, the free tier is sufficient.
How much does Ente Locker cost?
Locker's paid features are included with any Ente Photos subscription. When you subscribe to Ente Photos, your Locker limits automatically increase to:
- Up to 1000 items
- Up to 10GB total storage
View pricing options at ente.io/pricing.
Is Locker storage separate from Photos storage?
Yes. Locker and Photos have separate storage quotas:
- Your Photos subscription storage is for photos and videos only
- Your Locker storage (1GB free, 10GB paid) is separate and only for Locker items
The two do not share or draw from the same pool.
Do I need Ente Photos to use Locker?
No. You can use Ente Locker independently with a free account. You only need an Ente Photos subscription if you want the increased Locker limits (1000 items, 10GB storage).
Account Limits
What are the storage limits?
Locker has the following limits based on your subscription:
- Free plan: Up to 100 items and 1GB total storage
- Paid plan (any Ente subscription): Up to 1000 items and 10GB total storage
What counts as an item?
Each of these counts as one item toward your limit:
- Each uploaded document (PDF, image, scan)
- Each personal note
- Each set of account credentials
- Each physical record entry
How do I check my usage?
View your current usage in Settings > Storage to see how many items you have and how much storage you're using.
What happens when I reach the limit?
When you reach your item or storage limit:
- You cannot add new items
- Existing items remain accessible
- You can delete items to free up space
- Upgrade to a paid plan to increase your limits
How do I increase my limits?
Subscribe to any Ente Photos plan to increase your limits to 1000 items and 10GB storage. Your Locker limits increase automatically when you subscribe.
View plans at ente.io/pricing.
Export and Data
Can I export my Locker data?
Data export from Locker is not currently available. This feature is planned for a future release.
Your data remains accessible as long as you have access to your account, and you can always view and copy individual items manually.
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
If you cancel your Ente Photos subscription:
- Your Locker limits return to free tier (100 items, 1GB)
- If you're over the free limits, you cannot add new items
- All existing items remain accessible and are not deleted
- You can delete items to get back under the free limits
What happens if Ente shuts down?
Ente is committed to data portability and user ownership. If Ente were to shut down, we would provide advance notice and tools to export your data.
Our code is open source, so the community could also maintain the service independently.
Locker, Photos, and Auth
Should I store document scans in Locker or Photos?
Use Locker for sensitive documents you need organized access to:
- Identity documents (passports, IDs, licenses)
- Financial documents (tax returns, statements, contracts)
- Medical records
- Legal documents
- Insurance policies
Use Photos for general scans that are part of your memory collection:
- Handwritten letters and cards
- Children's artwork
- Old printed photos you're digitizing
- Whiteboard notes from meetings
- Receipts you want to remember but aren't critical
Key difference: Locker is for documents you need to find and access by category. Photos is for memories you browse chronologically.
Should I store passwords in Locker or use a password manager?
Locker complements your password manager rather than replacing it.
Use your password manager for:
- Daily logins with browser autofill
- Generating strong passwords
- Accounts you access frequently
Use Locker for:
- Encrypted backup copies of your most critical passwords
- Credentials you access infrequently but can't afford to lose
- Sharing passwords securely with family members
- Recovery codes and security questions
This combination gives you the convenience of autofill for daily use plus a secure, encrypted backup for your most important credentials that can be passed on through Legacy.
Should I store 2FA codes in Locker or Auth?
Use Ente Auth for:
- TOTP codes (the 6-digit codes that change every 30 seconds)
- Any two-factor authentication secrets
Use Locker for:
- 2FA backup/recovery codes (the one-time codes you get when setting up 2FA)
- Security questions and answers
- Notes about account recovery options
Auth is specifically designed for TOTP and has features like quick code copying and countdown timers. Locker is for static information that doesn't change.
What is Locker NOT designed for?
Locker is not intended as:
- A primary password manager: No browser autofill or extensions
- Large file storage: Has item and storage limits (100 items/1GB free)
- A replacement for physical originals: Keep original documents safe; Locker is for secure backup and quick access
- Photo storage: Use Ente Photos for photos and videos
- 2FA code generation: Use Ente Auth for TOTP codes
Quick reference: Where to store what
| Item | Recommended App |
|---|---|
| Passport scan | Locker |
| Tax returns | Locker |
| Insurance cards | Locker |
| WiFi passwords | Locker |
| Bank login | Locker |
| 2FA backup codes | Locker |
| Family photos | Photos |
| Scanned old photos | Photos |
| Children's artwork | Photos |
| TOTP 2FA codes | Auth |
| Authenticator secrets | Auth |
| Daily-use passwords | Password manager + Locker backup |