Introduction
Your identity keys — without a phone-number reset path.
Buzzio creates a random 12-digit Buzzio ID and a 12-word BIP-39 recovery phrase on your device. The phrase derives messaging private keys. Together with the ID, it restores your identity on a new phone. Buzzio never receives the phrase and cannot reset it for you.
We never see your recovery phrase. There is no SMS or email “forgot phrase” path. That is the privacy tradeoff — and the security model.
Why Buzzio is best for a recovery phrase
Generated on device
The mnemonic is created locally at account create — not emailed, not SMSed, not stored by Buzzio.
No phone-number identity
Restore uses Buzzio ID + phrase — not a SIM OTP that a carrier or SIM-swap can hijack.
Confirm before you continue
You write both down and pass a word quiz. The phrase is not shown again after creation.
Public only upstream
Keys derive on-device. Only public material is published so others can reach you.
Optional wallet path
If you activate the Bitcoin wallet, the same phrase can control funds on a separate BIP-84 path.
Separate from backup key
Encrypted chat backup uses its own recovery key. Phrase ≠ backup key ≠ vault key.
What you get
- 12-word BIP-39
- On-device create
- Word quiz confirm
- Buzzio ID pairing
- Messaging key restore
- No SMS reset
- Never shown again
- Optional wallet path
How it works
At account create
Generate locally
Buzzio creates your 12-digit Buzzio ID and 12-word recovery phrase on the device.
Write both down
Copy the ID and phrase onto paper or another offline store you control — not a screenshot in a cloud album.
Confirm with a quiz
Prove you wrote the words correctly. After that, the phrase is not shown again in the create flow.
Keys stay local
Messaging keys derive on-device. Buzzio never receives the phrase or private messaging keys.
Restore identity
On a new phone: install from official stores, choose restore / sign in, enter Buzzio ID + 12-word recovery phrase. That restores identity and messaging keys. Private chat history only returns if you also unlock an encrypted backup with its own recovery key.
The Buzzio ID is not derived from the phrase. You need both.
What the phrase unlocks
With ID + phrase
- Account identity
- Messaging private keys
- Optional Buzzio Wallet path (if activated)
- Saved Messages root key re-derive
Not automatic
- Full chat history (needs unlockable backup)
- Private Vault without vault unlock material
- Staff reset if you lose the words
Phrase vs backup recovery key
Recovery phrase
- 12 BIP-39 words
- Restores identity + messaging keys
- Created at account signup
Backup recovery key
- Long hex / 64-character secret
- Unlocks encrypted chat history backup
- Separate from the 12 words
Boundaries
Never share the phrase
- Never type it on web.buzzio.dev — sealed phrase entry stays off the open web
- Never send it to support, bots, or “recovery” DMs
- Never photograph it into a synced cloud album
- Never reuse it as a password on other sites
What the phrase does not mean
It is not a password Buzzio can look up or reset. It is not enough alone to restore every chat — you need an unlockable encrypted backup for history. Losing the phrase, every device copy, and any unlockable backup means those private keys (and wallet funds if activated from it) are gone for good. That is by design.
Tips
- Write ID + phrase on paper before you finish signup
- Store a second offline copy somewhere safe
- Also keep any backup recovery key if you use encrypted backup
- Test restore on a spare device before you wipe a phone
- Read the recovery phrase article
Ready to own your keys?
Download Buzzio, write your 12 words offline, and restore with Buzzio ID + phrase whenever you move phones.