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Reflect Forgot Password: Can't Decrypt Notes

Workaround available Mac, Web, iOS, iPad Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

In Reflect Classic your password is the encryption key, so it can't simply be reset by email. If any device is still logged in, change the password there or generate a recovery kit on iOS. Otherwise look for the password in Chrome or macOS Keychain, or find the reflect-recovery-kit file from sign-up.

Most likely fix: Change the password from a device that's still logged in (Mac, web, iPad).

Symptoms

You can't log in or your notes won't decrypt on a new device, and a standard password reset doesn't bring them back.

Why it happens

  • The Classic password doubles as the end-to-end encryption key
  • The recovery kit was only downloaded to the first device you signed up on
  • The password wasn't saved in a password manager

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Change the password from a device that's still logged in (Mac, web, iPad)

    1. Open Reflect and press Cmd+, to open Preferences
    2. Select your graph in the sidebar (usually 'My Brain')
    3. Click Change password and set a new one
    4. Save it in a password manager

  2. 2. Generate a recovery kit on iPhone

    1. Open Reflect on iOS while still logged in
    2. Tap your graph (round button, top left)
    3. Tap Generate recovery kit
    4. Go to reflect.app/recovery and use the kit to reset your password

  3. 3. Look for a saved copy of the password

    1. Chrome: Settings > Passwords, search for 'reflect'
    2. Mac: open Keychain Access and search for 'reflect' (the desktop app backs up the password there)

  4. 4. Find the recovery kit file

    1. On the computer you used to sign up, open Downloads
    2. Search for a file named reflect-recovery-kit-…
    3. Use it at reflect.app/recovery

  5. 5. Contact support

    1. Email support@reflect.app
    2. Reflect keeps daily on-disk backups and may be able to help

This guide also covers

  • reflect forgot password
  • reflect notes recovery kit
  • reflect can't decrypt notes
  • reflect reset encryption password

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