How Darkdrive Works
Can Darkdrive see my files?
No. Files and filenames are encrypted directly upon upload using AES-256-GCM. Without your password, neither we nor third parties can read the content.
How secure is it really?
Darkdrive uses AES-256-GCM encryption, split-key authentication, CSRF protection, rate-limiting, strict Content Security Policies, and automatic memory-zeroing. Only with complete unauthorized server access could data be intercepted during upload or viewing.
What happens if I lose my password?
Your password is the only key to your data. Since it is not stored anywhere – neither in plaintext nor in a derivable form – your files cannot be recovered without your password. We therefore recommend creating regular backups using the export function.
What file types can I upload?
Darkdrive supports over 80 file types in nine categories: Images (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG, AVIF, HEIC, etc.), Audio (MP3, FLAC, OGG, WAV, etc.), Video (MP4, MKV, MOV, WebM, etc.), Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODT, etc.), Archives (ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, etc.), Text and Code (TXT, MD, CSV, JSON, PY, JS, etc.), Fonts, Contacts (VCF), and Design Files (PSD, Sketch, Figma, etc.).
What preview features are there?
Images, videos, and audio can be displayed or played directly in the browser. PDFs are opened in the browser, and an encrypted preview of the first page is generated for Office documents. Audio files automatically detect cover images with the same tag and display them as a thumbnail. Automatically generated, encrypted thumbnails appear for all these file types.
How do I use tags?
Tags allow for the thematic organization of files. Multiple tags can be assigned to each file, and the file overview can be filtered by individual tags. Multiple files can be tagged simultaneously using the multi-select feature. A tag is removed by entering it again. All tags are stored encrypted.
Can I share files?
Yes. Individual files can be shared as a decrypted copy via a temporary link. The share can be revoked at any time. The original file remains continuously encrypted – only the shared copy is accessible without a password.
How do I export my files?
Individual files can be downloaded directly from the detail view. For a full export, a ZIP archive can be downloaded decrypted, containing all files or files filtered by tag or type. Specific individual files can also be exported in a bundle using the multi-select feature.
How do I sync my files?
With the separate synchronization tool, files can be automatically synchronized in both directions. New or changed files are downloaded as a decrypted backup, and files are automatically uploaded and encrypted via an upload folder.
Does Darkdrive work on a smartphone?
Yes. The interface is fully responsive and optimized for mobile browsers. Using the "Add to Home Screen" function, Darkdrive can be used like a native app.
