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How to Use Vault Messaging in UnoLock

Vault Messaging is UnoLock’s in‑app system for secure, address‑based communication. It is designed to keep conversations compartmentalized and metadata minimized, even in high‑risk environments. Think of it as Safe‑to‑Safe communication without a global identity trail.

It supports two ways to send:

Receive Addresses are recommended for new conversations and anonymous intake because they keep raw addresses off the server and allow per‑address controls.

Why Use Vault Messaging?

  • Address-based privacy: send to an address, not a global identity.
  • Post-quantum security: ML-KEM-1024 + AES-256-GCM protect messages.
  • Per-address control: usage limits, throttling, and attachment rules.
  • Anonymous intake: external senders can use the UnoLock Drop client.

Security Note

Always verify the destination address before sending. If available, verify a pre-shared code word shown in the Receive Address sender message.

Prerequisites

  • Sending: Sovereign or HighRisk tier.
  • Receiving: all tiers can receive; Free/Inheritance can reply using bound reply-only addresses.
  • Destination address: a Receive Address (recommended) or a compatibility Safe address (eyesAddr).

Step-by-Step: Sending a Message (Safe App)

  1. Sign in Authenticate into your Safe.

  2. Open Messaging Click Messaging in the left-hand menu.

  3. Start a new message Click New Message.

  4. Enter the destination address Paste a Receive Address

  5. Check address policies The app will show attachment rules and any rate limits. If you use a pre-shared code word workflow, confirm the expected code word is shown.

  6. (Optional) Save to Known Addresses Save the address locally with a name so you can reuse it later.

  7. Compose and attach Write your message and add attachments if allowed.

  8. Send Click Send. The message encrypts client-side and is routed by the server.

Step-by-Step: Receiving a Message

  1. Open Messaging Incoming messages appear in your inbox, grouped by address.

  2. Open the thread Select the conversation or Receive Address label.

  3. Read and decrypt Messages decrypt locally inside your Safe.

  4. Save content (optional) Save messages as notes or store attachments in your Safe.

Anonymous Senders (UnoLock Drop client)

If you want to receive messages from outside Safes, create a Receive Address and share the UnoLock Drop client link. UnoLock Drop is sender‑only (no inbox). See Using Receive Addresses.

Reply-only behavior

If a known address sends you a message and you reply, your reply address is bound to that sender. This prevents address reuse and keeps trust boundaries tight.

Troubleshooting

  • Invalid address: confirm the destination address through a trusted channel.
  • Throttled or expired: the Receive Address may be rate-limited or out of uses.
  • Attachments blocked: the destination address has attachments disabled.
  • Free tier cannot send: Free and Inheritance tiers can receive and reply only.

For a deeper dive, see Vault Messaging.