Recover a Nostr account with a passkey

Before you start

Use an installation with no existing accounts. This restore flow cannot replace a populated vault.

Make the original passkey provider available on this device and keep your original public npub available. If you saved an encrypted recovery file, have it ready as a fallback.

Steps

1. Open Try other methods and select Restore passkey vault. The default search uses passkeys.nostrwot.com. For another original domain, use Advanced passkey setup with that exact hostname.
2. Select the original credential in the browser and verify. Recovery checks data stored with the passkey, then compatible relay recovery. Compatible credentials supply their public account identifier automatically.
3. If no recovery data is found, select your encrypted recovery file when prompted. You still need an enrolled passkey able to decrypt it. If selection is cancelled, retry; do not create a new account to recover an old one.
4. Finish the protection preferences and compare the recovered npub with your saved public identifier. Stop if it differs.

Recover a Nostr account with a passkey

Check your recovery

Recovery restores the material in its snapshot. Seed recovery covers saved derivation paths; a single-key snapshot covers one key. Separate accounts and local event archives may need separate backups.

A provider accepting a snapshot does not guarantee cross-device synchronization. If recovery fails, check the original domain, provider access and file before changing anything.

Next lesson: Protect an existing Nostr account with a passkey