FAQ

What is Tagl ID?

A sign-in service. Sites that show "Sign in with Tagl ID" let you log in with your tagl — a PNG file on your device that holds your cryptographic identity — instead of a password.

What is a tagl, exactly?

A PNG image with your cryptographic keys embedded inside it, protected by a PIN. It can also hold your two-factor (TOTP) secrets in a built-in vault. It looks like a picture; it works like a key. It stays on your device — our servers never receive it.

Is my personal data stored on your servers?

The important things — private keys, two-factor secrets, the contents of your tagl, your PIN — are never on our servers. We keep only technical logs and the records needed to run sign-in. See the Privacy Policy.

I lost my tagl file. Can you restore my access?

Only you can, two ways: if you enabled cloud backup, open the recovery page and enter your 12 recovery words — no file needed. Otherwise, load any intact file copy. If backup was off and no copy exists anywhere, access is permanently lost — we never hold your keys, so we have nothing to restore them from. This is by design; it is what "no one but you" means.

What are the 12 recovery words?

When you enable cloud backup in your dashboard, an encrypted copy of your tagl is stored on our side — encrypted on your device, unreadable to us — and you are shown 12 words. The words locate and decrypt that backup on the recovery page. Write them down offline: anyone who has them holds a copy of your tagl file (though the PIN is still required to use it), and losing them means the backup cannot be retrieved.

I forgot my PIN. What now?

There is no reset. The PIN is verified on your device and never sent to us, so we have nothing to reset it against — and the 12 recovery words do not bypass it either: they restore the file, which still asks for your PIN. You can change your PIN at any time, but only by entering the current one first. If the PIN is truly gone, your copies cannot be unlocked; treat PIN custody as seriously as file custody.

Can I use my tagl on several devices?

Yes. The tagl is a file — copy it to another device and use it there. Every full copy works. Just transfer it as a file (not through messengers — see below), and remember that copies made before a change don't include that change.

What if someone steals my tagl file?

The file alone is not enough — they also need your PIN. But treat it as a compromise and act: revoke active sessions in your dashboard and follow the steps in How to store your tagl. Note that changing the PIN on your own copies does not affect the copy the thief holds.

Why can't I send my tagl through WhatsApp or Telegram?

Messengers and social networks re-encode images to save bandwidth. Re-encoding destroys the data embedded in the PNG — the picture survives, the identity inside does not. The same applies to image editors and photo services. Transfer the tagl as a plain file, or inside a ZIP archive.

What information does a site receive when I sign in?

Your public Tagl ID identifier, plus — only if the site requested it and you approved it on the authorization screen — your profile claims (name, date of birth). Nothing else. The screen you approve is the complete list.

Do you support two-factor authentication?

Yes — the tagl has a built-in TOTP vault, so it can replace a separate authenticator app for your other sites. See Two-factor authentication.

What does "beta" mean for me?

The Service works but is evolving: features may change and rough edges exist. It is provided as is, without warranties or an uptime guarantee. Keep backups (you should anyway). See the Terms of Service.

Is Tagl ID free?

Yes. Tagl ID is free for users and for sites that integrate it. If that ever changes, we will announce it in advance — nothing will change silently.

What happens if the Service shuts down?

Your keys and data remain yours — they are in your file, not on our servers. However, signing in to third-party sites through Tagl ID requires the Service to be online, so sign-in availability does depend on us. Sites you linked would need to offer another login method.

How is this different from a password manager or passkeys?

A password manager stores passwords; you still have accounts secured by them. Passkeys are cryptographic like Tagl ID, but are typically bound to a vendor ecosystem (your Apple/Google account) for sync and recovery. A tagl is a single self-contained file you can see, copy, and store wherever you choose — nothing syncs anywhere unless you copy it yourself.

How do I delete my data?

Delete your tagl copies — that removes your identity data, which was only ever with you. For the server-side minimum (logs, sign-in records), send an erasure request to [email protected] as described in the Privacy Policy.

How do I contact support?

Write to [email protected]. Never attach your tagl or include your PIN, keys, or TOTP secrets in a support request — we will never ask for them.