Synchronisation with mobile devices
There are plans to develop apps tailored specifically to Password Safe version 8. As this project is very time intensive and other issues currently have a higher priority, the synchronisation process will be temporarily carried out using the apps for Password Safe version 7.
WebClient as an alternative
An alternative to the synchronisation process is to use the Password Safe WebClient. This is responsive and can thus be operated on all standard smartphones and tablets.
Advantages
The WebClient offers the following advantages:
- Live data
The WebClient connects directly to the database and thus always has access to the latest data. This highlights the biggest disadvantage of the apps. The apps only ever provide access to the status at the time of the synchronisation. If data have been changed since the synchronisation, this will not be available on the mobile device.
- Functional scope
The WebClient currently has a much larger range of functions than the apps. It is possible, for example, to use sealed or masked passwords.
- Convenience
No synchronisation is necessary because the WebClient directly accesses the database.
Disadvantages
The WebClient requires an active Internet connection to access the data.
Conclusion
Ideally, the WebClient and the apps are used together in combination. The WebClient provides permanent access to the latest data, while the data saved on the app can be accessed if there is no Internet connection in an exceptional situation.
Apps
Apps are currently available for iOS, Android and also Windows Phone devices. They can be directly installed on the mobile device via the Apple App Store, Windows App Store or Google Playstore. The apps are naturally available free of charge.
Settings
Settings related to the synchronisation are available on both the client and the server.
Server-based settings
The synchronisation has to be activated for each database on the AdminClient. The corresponding option can be found in the database settings.
Client-based settings
The following settings on the client are worth mentioning:
- Validity of the mobile database without synchronisation in days
This setting defines how long the mobile database can be used without synchronisation. Once this period has expired, it is no longer possible to log into the database.
- Maximum number of login attempts before deleting the database
In order to protect the data against unauthorized access, it is possible to define the maximum number of failed login attempts before the mobile database is deleted.
Required rights
The user rights are used to define how and via which route the user is permitted to carry out a synchronisation
- Can synchronise with mobile devices
The general right to synchronise is issued to the user here. This right always allows a synchronisation to be carried out via WiFi.
The following rights can additionally define the route via which the synchronisation can be carried out:
- Mobile cloud synchronisation via Dropbox available for iOS and Android
- Mobile cloud synchronisation via Google Drive available for Android
- Mobile cloud synchronisation via iCloud available for iOS
- Mobile cloud synchronisation via iTunes available for iOS
- Mobile cloud synchronisation via OneDrive available for Windows Phone
Synchronization
Requirements
A mobile database needs to be created before the first synchronisation. In addition, it is important to ensure that the required rights have been issued.
Synchronisation via the app
The different routes and processes for the synchronisation are described in detail in the documentation for the relevant app. These can be found under the following links:
Password Safe app for iOS
Password Safe app for Android
Password Safe app for Windows Phone
Synchronisation via the client
The synchronisation is started in “Backstage” under Account on the Password Safe client. A corresponding wizard guides you through the synchronisation. In the first step of the wizard, you select whether the synchronisation should be completed via WiFi or manually. In addition, the export filter can be used to select which records are synchronised.
The second step is used to select the adapter via which the synchronisation is carried out. If manual synchronisation has been chosen, the storage location for the synchronisation file is selected.
In the final step, it is possible to define which form can be used to create new records in the app. The password for the mobile database is also entered here.
