Hello folks,
It’s been a little while since our last update in this thread, and I just wanted to pop in to say that we’re still here and paying close attention to all the feedback being shared. While we don’t have anything new to share about an emergency access feature right now, please know that the feedback and discussion here aren’t going unnoticed.
With 1Password’s end-to-end encryption, there’s no simple “add a recovery email” solution: access requires the keys to unlock your account, and 1Password doesn’t have them. Securely storing those keys on behalf of customers would introduce significant risk and responsibility, so an emergency access feature needs an intuitive way to securely share or safeguard the necessary keys without compromising the security guarantees people rely on.
For the time being, we’ve published guidance for estate planning using 1Password’s current features: The complete guide to digital estate planning
For those exploring how 1Password’s existing features might fit into an emergency-access plan, one possible approach is to generate a recovery code and share it with a trusted family member who may need access in an emergency, and account for any two-factor authentication by making the authenticator app or physical security key available to that person as well. The recovery code should be stored securely, such as in the trusted family member’s 1Password vault or another location they can access independently: Generate and use recovery codes
To make this plan work, you’ll need to also set up your email account provider’s emergency-access or legacy-contact feature so the trusted person can access the email account associated with your 1Password account. Without access to that email account, they won’t be able to use the recovery code. It also prevents premature use of the recovery code, since someone with your recovery code cannot complete recovery without also entering a verification code that is sent to your email address.
I know this isn’t the most elegant solution, and the feature request for a built-in legacy manager or emergency access feature in 1Password remains open. For now, as the simplest option, we recommend storing your Emergency Kit alongside with your will in a secure place, along with clear instructions on how to use it for your executor or trusted contact.
-Dave
