Protect a project with a password

Password protection adds a separate lock to a project’s files and settings, and makes its chats read-only while the project is locked. Only project owners can manage it.

Danger

Bearly cannot recover a protected project if you forget its password. Store the password somewhere secure before you continue.

Protect an existing project

1. Expand the project in the chat sidebar and select Settings.
2. In Encryption, select Protect.
3. Enter a Password (min 8 characters), then enter it again in Confirm password.
4. Select Protect. The status changes from Not Protected to Protected.

You can also protect a project while creating it: turn on Enable password encryption? in Create New Project, then enter and confirm a password of at least eight characters.

Some managed accounts require a password for every project. In that case, protection is already enabled in the creation form and cannot be removed later.

Lock and unlock the project

While a protected project is unlocked, open its Settings page and select Lock under Encryption. Project chats become read-only, and opening Settings or Docs & Data shows the password screen.

Open Settings or Docs & Data, enter the password, and select Unlock. If you reuse the same password for several protected rooms, turn on Unlock all rooms that use this password? before unlocking to try that password on the others as well.

If Bearly reports Incorrect password. Please try again., re-enter the password carefully. There is no password-reset or recovery path.

Change the password

1. Open the unlocked project’s Settings page.
2. Under Encryption, select Change.
3. Enter the Current password.
4. Enter a New password (min 8 characters) and Confirm new password.
5. Select Change Password.

Anyone else who uses the protected project will need the new password after the project is locked again.

Remove password protection

1. Open the unlocked project’s Settings page.
2. Under Encryption, select Remove.
3. Read the warning, then select Remove Protection.

Removing protection is permanent until you add a new password. People who already have project access—and anyone using your signed-in account—will no longer be asked for the project password.

If Remove is unavailable, your organization’s policy may require project passwords. If the status reads Device Encrypted, the project uses a device-based account policy rather than a password you can change here; contact your account administrator or Bearly support if you cannot open it.

Related: Share a project with your team