FAQs
Questions, answered directly
Short, factual answers — no marketing detour.
What is Bevel Keys?+
Bevel Keys is a local-first password manager for Mac. It stores your logins in an encrypted vault on your computer and does not require a Bevel Keys cloud account to unlock your passwords.
Is Bevel Keys a password manager for Mac?+
Yes. It is a native macOS app (macOS 14+) with a local encrypted vault on your Mac.
Is Bevel Keys free?+
Yes. Bevel Keys Free includes the local encrypted vault with a 100-login limit. Premium is a one-time purchase for unlimited logins and the Chrome/Brave extension with autofill.
Is there a free password manager for Mac with no subscription?+
Bevel Keys Free is $0 with a local vault on your Mac. Premium is a one-time unlock — not a monthly subscription.
Does Bevel Keys store my passwords in the cloud?+
There is no Bevel Keys cloud account and no Bevel Keys server holding vaults. Unlock stays on your Mac. Premium can optionally copy the still-encrypted vault through your iCloud Drive (iCloud Sync, off by default) so another Mac on the same Apple ID can use it.
Is Bevel Keys a local or offline password manager?+
Yes. The vault lives on your Mac, and day-to-day unlock is designed to work offline.
How is Bevel Keys different from iCloud Keychain?+
iCloud Keychain is built for Apple-account sync and website/app logins. It’s not designed as a place for project secrets — API keys, env file contents, or notes per startup. Bevel Keys is a local encrypted vault on your Mac for that workflow: logins plus the keys and env details that sit next to a side project or early product. (Mac only today; it doesn’t replace Keychain’s iPhone sync.)
How is Bevel Keys different from 1Password and other password managers?+
Most password managers are subscription SaaS products that charge monthly or annually. Bevel Keys is a one-time purchase with a local vault on your Mac — aimed at people running side projects or early startups who want one place for login details and project secrets: API keys, env file content, and related notes.
Where should I store API keys on a Mac?+
In an encrypted vault — not in plaintext notes or committed env files. Bevel Keys keeps API keys and env-related notes in category notepads next to project logins.
Can I use Bevel Keys on more than one Mac?+
Default is local-only on that Mac. Premium can turn on iCloud Sync: the encrypted vault copies through your iCloud Drive so another Mac on the same Apple ID can unlock it locally. Bevel Keys never sees your passwords. You can still move a vault with an encrypted backup you control (including a folder in Dropbox or iCloud Drive) and restore it on the other Mac.
What happens if I forget my master password?+
Use your 12-word recovery phrase. Keep that phrase offline. If you lose the master password and the recovery phrase, Bevel Keys cannot reset access for you.
Does Bevel Keys work offline?+
Yes. Local vault unlock and use are designed to work offline on your Mac.
Can I import passwords from another manager?+
Yes. Use Bevel Keys' CSV template to bulk-add email accounts and logins into your vault. You can also export your logins to CSV at any time so you are not locked in.
Does Bevel Keys store my 2FA codes?+
Not in the current Mac app. Authenticator import (including Google Authenticator export QR) is planned for a Bevel Keys mobile app. Keep using Google Authenticator or Authy on your phone for now.
Can I export my vault?+
Yes. CSV export is available whenever you want out. Encrypted backup/restore is also available. Premium can optionally copy the still-encrypted vault through your iCloud Drive (off by default).
Does Premium require a subscription?+
Premium is positioned as a one-time unlock — confirm the exact terms at the store listing at launch — not a monthly subscription.
Is there a Windows or Android app?+
Bevel Keys v1 focuses on macOS. Other platforms are not the current homepage promise.
Where do I get support?+
Email hi@bevelkeys.com or use the form on the About page (https://bevelkeys.com/about/#contact). We aim to reply within two business days.