Cloud Sync
Seamlessly synchronize your database connections, saved queries, and settings across all your devices using Google Drive. Choose between passwordless sync or end-to-end encrypted secure sync.
Sync Modes
Basic Sync
PasswordlessSyncs your data without sensitive credentials. Best for users who prefer to enter passwords manually on each device.
What gets synced:
- Connection configurations
- Saved queries (SQL Book)
- App settings & preferences
- Workbooks & dashboards
What does NOT sync:
- Database passwords
- SSH private keys
- SSL certificates
Secure Sync
RecommendedSyncs everything, including passwords and SSH keys, protected by end-to-end AES-256 encryption. Only you know the master password.
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Database passwords
- SSH private keys
- Key passphrases
- SSL certificates
Security features:
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- Argon2id key derivation
- Zero-knowledge architecture
- End-to-end encrypted
How it works: Your sensitive data is encrypted on your device before upload. Google never sees your plaintext secrets. Encryption and decryption happen only on your devices.
Setting Up Cloud Sync
Enable Cloud Sync
- Go to Settings → Cloud Sync
- Click Connect Google Drive
- Sign in with your Google account
- Grant DBView permission to create files in its own folder
Choose Your Sync Mode
For Secure Sync (Recommended):
- Select Secure Sync
- Create a strong master password
- Confirm your password
- Read and acknowledge the recovery warning
- Click Enable Secure Sync
Important: Store your master password safely!
If you forget your master password and don't have access to any device with your local data, your encrypted secrets cannot be recovered. This is a security feature, not a bug.
Setting Up a New Device
DBView automatically detects existing sync data in your Google Drive when you sign in on a new device.
Basic Sync
- Sign in to Google Drive
- Data imports automatically
- Enter passwords as needed
Secure Sync
- Sign in to Google Drive
- Enter your master password
- Everything imports automatically
SSH Key Restoration
When secure sync restores SSH keys, you'll be prompted to choose where to save them:
✓ work.pem → ~/.dbview/keys/work.pem
✓ id_rsa → ~/.dbview/keys/id_rsa
✓ staging.pem → ~/.dbview/keys/staging.pem
Keys are saved with secure permissions automatically (chmod 600 on macOS/Linux).
Managing Your Master Password
Changing Your Password
If you know your current password and want to change it:
- Go to Settings → Cloud Sync
- Click Change Master Password
- Enter your current password
- Enter and confirm your new password
- Click Update Password
Your secrets are re-encrypted with the new password and synced to all devices.
Forgot Your Password?
If you have access to a device with your local data:
- On that device, go to Settings → Cloud Sync
- Click Reset Master Password
- Enter and confirm a new password
- Your secrets are re-encrypted and synced
If you have NO device with local data:
Unfortunately, your encrypted secrets cannot be recovered. This is by design—it ensures that even if someone gains access to your Google account, they cannot read your secrets without your master password.
Options: Import connections without secrets (re-enter passwords manually) or start fresh.
Multi-Device Sync
How Sync Works Across Devices
Device A
Google Drive
Device B
Changes sync automatically. If you change the master password on one device, other devices will prompt you to enter the new password.
What Gets Stored Where
| File | Contents | Encrypted? |
|---|---|---|
| connections.json | Connection configs (without passwords) | No |
| queries.json | Saved SQL queries | No |
| settings.json | App preferences | No |
| workbooks.json | Dashboard layouts | No |
| secrets.enc | Passwords, SSH keys, certificates | Yes (AES-256) |
Security Details
Encryption Specifications
Security Properties
- Zero-knowledge: Google never sees plaintext
- End-to-end encryption on your devices
- No key transmission over network
- Forward secrecy on password reset
What we cannot do: Recover your master password, decrypt your secrets without your password, or access your secrets on Google's servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my data safe if my Google account is compromised?
With Secure Sync, yes. Your secrets are encrypted with AES-256 using a key derived from your master password. An attacker would need both your Google account AND your master password.
Can I use the same password as my Google password?
We strongly recommend using a different password. If someone gains access to your Google account, you don't want them to easily guess your DBView master password.
Can I sync between Mac, Windows, and Linux?
Yes! Cloud Sync works across all platforms. SSH keys and passwords sync seamlessly between operating systems.
What happens if I uninstall DBView?
Your sync data remains in Google Drive. When you reinstall, just sign in and your data will be restored.
Can I switch between Basic and Secure Sync?
Yes. You can upgrade to Secure Sync anytime by setting a master password. You can also downgrade to Basic Sync, which will delete your secrets.enc file from Google Drive.
Quick Reference
| Enable sync | Settings → Cloud Sync → Connect |
| Change master password | Settings → Cloud Sync → Change Password |
| Reset forgotten password | On device with data: Settings → Cloud Sync → Reset |
| Disable sync | Settings → Cloud Sync → Disable |
| Force sync now | Settings → Cloud Sync → Sync Now |
