Trouble signing in
Start with the problem you're seeing. If nothing here works, contact support from the sign-in screen.
Recovery phrase not accepted
Some accounts created in our early days need a one-time email check before their recovery phrase is accepted. If your phrase is rejected and you're sure the words are right, tap Email me a code instead, enter the code we send you, then enter the same recovery phrase again.
- On the recovery phrase screen, tap Email me a code instead.
- Enter the code from your email. It's valid for 10 minutes, so check your junk folder if it hasn't arrived.
- Enter the same 12-word recovery phrase again.
It should work, and you only need to do this once.
Email code doesn't work
Codes are valid for 10 minutes, so request a new one if yours has expired, and check your junk folder if it hasn't arrived. If a fresh code is still rejected, your browser has usually been signed in before, possibly with a different account.
- Empty your browser cache and do a hard refresh.
- If that doesn't help, try a different browser.
- Request another code and enter it.
Can't sign in via homescreen icon
SELF is in beta and ships major updates often, which can leave an old homescreen icon unable to sign in. Delete the icon, sign in through your browser, then add SELF to your homescreen again.
- Delete the SELF icon from your homescreen.
- Open self.app in your browser and sign in there.
- Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen, to create a fresh icon.
Asked for your recovery phrase after signing in
Passkeys and email codes prove who you are, but they don't hold your encryption keys. On a device where SELF hasn't stored your recovery phrase yet, you'll be asked for it once after signing in.
Instead of typing it, you can tap Sign in with password if you've set one, or Scan QR from another device to link the device from one you're already signed in on. If you do enter your phrase, leave Remember this device turned on so you aren't asked again on that device.
"No account found with this email"
SELF couldn't find an account for the email you typed. Check the spelling, and make sure you're using the same email address you registered with.
"Too many attempts" or "Sign-in is temporarily unavailable"
SELF limits repeated sign-in attempts to protect your account. Wait a few minutes and try again, or use another sign-in method such as your passkey or an email code.
Lost your recovery phrase
If you've set a password in Settings → Security, you can still sign in with your email and that password. Otherwise, you can no longer access your account. SELF has no record of your phrase, because it's only yours.
If you're still signed in on any device, open Settings → Security there and set a password now, so you have another way back in. Look after your recovery phrase very carefully.
Ways to sign in
You can sign in with a passkey, with your email and password, with your email and recovery phrase, with an email code, or by scanning a QR code from a device you're already signed in on.
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Passkey | Tap Sign in with Passkey and use Face ID, Touch ID or your fingerprint. |
| Email and password | Enter your email and password, then tap Sign In. You need to have set a password first. |
| Email and recovery phrase | Tap Use email address and recovery phrase, enter your email, tap Start recovery, then enter your 12 words. |
| Email code | Tap Email me a code and enter the code we send you. On a new device you may still need your recovery phrase afterwards. |
| QR code from another device | See Add a new device without typing your recovery phrase. |
With QR linking you never type your recovery phrase. With a password, you use your email and password each time. With your recovery phrase, you enter it once per device.
Set a password
We recommend setting a password in Settings → Security. Once it's set, your email and password let you sign in from any device, with no recovery phrase or passkey needed.
The password encrypts your recovery phrase on your device. Only that encrypted copy is stored on SELF's servers.
Add a new device without typing your recovery phrase
Use Link New Device in Settings → Security on a device you're already signed in on. It shows a QR code and a 6-digit PIN that you use on the new device.
- On your existing device, open Settings → Security and tap Link New Device.
- On the new device, open the sign-in screen and tap Scan QR from another device.
- Scan the QR code, then enter the 6-digit PIN.
Your account transfers securely without typing the 12 words.