Have you received a link?

Can I just click on it?

Yes. Simply opening the link doesn't use up anything yet. You'll initially see only a page with a button. The content is only displayed once you enter the one-time code — and only then is it deleted. You can therefore review it calmly.

What do I need to do?

1. Open the link.
2. Tap on “Send the code to my email”. You’ll receive a long string of numbers and letters in your email inbox — proof that it’s really you.
3. Select, copy, paste here. You don’t need to type it out — the result is intentionally long.

Does it look different to you? Some receiving secure inboxes are configured more strictly. In that case, the page will ask for the Passkey of the secure inbox owner instead of the one-time code — or both. This does not affect you as the sender: only the person who owns the secure inbox can provide this confirmation, on their own device. Simply follow what the page shows; it will guide you through.

You don't need an account, an app, or to install anything — not even on your phone. Just use the browser you already have.

Copy the code from the email

The code is long, but you not type — simply copy it:

1. In the email, twice briefly the code to select it.
2. If the marker does not align precisely, drag the two blue dots at the start and end of the code.
3. Tap on “Copy” .
4. Return to the SchlüsselBot page, type into the input field, and select “Insert” .

On your computer, do the same: highlight the code with your mouse, Ctrl + C, then paste it into the field using Ctrl + V.

No email arrives — what now?

This is the most common case, and it almost always has one of four reasons:

1. It is in the spam folder. Please check there first.
2. You have already requested a code. A second one will arrive at the earliest two minutes later — but the first one still applies. Please check your inbox for it.
3. The code is sent to a different address. It is sent to the email address the sending individual. If they used an old address of yours, the message will be there. Just briefly ask which address they entered.
4. The message has already been read or has expired. No code will be sent — the message no longer exists. Simply ask the sender to send a new one. This takes one minute and costs nothing. This will not incur any costs or disadvantages for you.

If after two to three minutes nothing appears and the spam folder remains empty, reason 3 or 4 is most likely. Then contact the person who sent you the link — not us: we cannot see what is in the message, nor can we resend it.

If a file is included

Save it immediately. The file is loaded directly into the page upon opening. It disappears as soon as you close the page or reload it — and we delete it permanently from the server no later than 10 minutes after opening. There will be no second attempt.

Security notice: The file is encrypted. SchlüsselBot therefore cannot scan it for malware. Store and check unknown files using your device's protection before opening them.

Important: Open the link on the device where you want the file to be stored later. Open the link on the device where you want the file to be stored. If you open the email on your phone, the file will be on your phone — on the iPhone, in the "Files" app under "Downloads". It will not be on your computer.

Open the link only when you have a few minutes — not in passing.

Why does it delete itself?

So your data doesn't sit in an inbox for years. A regular email remains readable — in your inbox, with the sender, and in backup copies. A SchlüsselBot link is valid exactly once and then disappears. That's the whole point.

If the link is not opened at all, it will automatically delete itself usually after 48 hours. The sender can also set a shorter period or extend it up to seven days — if in doubt, please ask them.

I opened it too late — what now?

Then the content is gone — permanently. We cannot recover it — we never had the key. Sounds harsh, but that's exactly why no one else can read it.

What you need to do: Simply ask the sender to send it again. This costs nothing and takes one minute.

Does SchlüsselBot see my data?

The content is encrypted on the sender's device. The key is located in the final part of the link, after the # symbol — this part is never sent to a server by the browser, by technical necessity. What we see is your email address and the timestamp; we need these to send you the one-time code.

A limitation applies, and we prefer to state it clearly: If the sender selected the default dispatch method "Simple" — and you received this email via that route — then the key briefly passed through our server so we could send you the link. We did not store or log it; however, technically, it was not entirely impossible for us to read it during this dispatch method. With the "Secure" dispatch method, the sender shares the link themselves — we never see the key in this case. For full details, see our Security page.

Who is behind this?

SchlüsselBot is a service provided by MessingerDesign GbR in Berlin. All servers are located in Germany. You can find our address, phone number, and responsible parties in the Legal notice — that is also where you can reach us if anything is unclear or seems suspicious.