What File Encryption is
File Encryption adds an extra layer of privacy to the files you choose. A file is encrypted on your device before it's uploaded, so its title, text and notes are stored in a form that only you can open.
To open an encrypted file, you use an encryption password. It's separate from your Speechify login, and Speechify never sees it.
When to use it
Turn it on for files you wouldn't want anyone else to read, for example:
Medical records, test results or therapy notes
Contracts, legal papers, tax returns and bank statements
Work documents under NDA, unpublished manuscripts or exam materials
Personal journals and letters
For everyday reading like articles, books or class notes, you don't need it. Files without encryption keep every feature, including AI chat and sharing.
What's protected
Encrypted in storage | Visible so your library can sync |
Title and cover | File type and size |
Excerpt and source link | Word and page counts |
Pages and text | Listening progress |
Text of your highlights, notes and bookmarks | Where highlights and bookmarks sit in the text |
| Date added and folder |
When you listen with a cloud voice, the text needed for playback is sent to our voice servers.
What works differently
AI chat and sharing are off for encrypted files.
Listening works as usual, including Save Offline.
Until you unlock it, the file shows in your Library as Encrypted file with Tap to unlock, without its real title or cover. You can rename it after unlocking.
You choose encryption when you add a file. Files already in your Library can't be encrypted later.
Files imported from a web link can't be encrypted. If you add several files at once, the app tells you how many can't be encrypted.
File Encryption isn't available with a guest account.
Set up File Encryption
Open Settings and tap File Encryption under App Settings.
Read the overview and tap Continue.
Create an encryption password and enter it again to confirm. The meter under the field shows how strong it is. Tap Create.
On Save your recovery key, tap Save to Files or Copy, store the key somewhere safe, then tap I've saved it.
On Let's Double Check, type the two missing groups of your key and tap Confirm.
You'll see File encryption is active.
Keep your recovery key safe. It's the only way back in if you forget your encryption password, and Speechify can't recover either of them for you. The key is 28 characters long, in 7 groups of 4, for example K7QM-9XTP-2NWD-R4VN-Q8HC-M3TA-6FJZ. Save it to the Files app, or store it in a password manager.
Encrypt a file
In Library, tap + and choose a file, or scan a document.
On Add to Library, turn on Encrypt this file. For several files it says Encrypt these files, and for a scan, Encrypt this scan.
Tap Add (or Continue for a scan).
The file appears in your Library with a lock next to its title.
If you started setting up encryption but didn't finish, the app asks whether to Finish Setup & Encrypt or Add Without Encryption.
Open an encrypted file
Tap the file marked Encrypted file in your Library.
Enter your encryption password.
Tap Unlock.
Once unlocked, your encrypted files stay unlocked on that device until you sign out.
Forgot your encryption password
On the unlock screen, tap Use your recovery key.
Type your key, or tap Upload and choose the key file you saved during setup. Tap Continue.
Create a new encryption password and tap Save and Unlock.
Change your password or recovery key
Go to Settings › File Encryption.
Change Password: enter your current password (or use your recovery key), then create a new one.
Create New Recovery Key: enter your encryption password, then save and confirm the new key the same way as during setup. The new key replaces the old one once you confirm it. Until then, the old key keeps working.
⚠️Turn off File Encryption
Turning off File Encryption permanently deletes all your encrypted files. Files without encryption aren't affected, and you can set up encryption again anytime.
Go to Settings › File Encryption and switch off File Encryption.
Tap Turn off anyway.
Confirm it's you with Continue with Google or Log In with Email.
Common questions
Is the encryption password the same as my Speechify password?
No. It's a separate password that only protects your encrypted files. Changing your Speechify login doesn't change it.
What if I lose both my password and my recovery key?
Then nobody can open those encrypted files, including Speechify. You can reset encryption and start over, but resetting deletes your encrypted files, and they can't be recovered.
Why can't I use AI chat or share an encrypted file?
These features need Speechify to read the file's contents, which encryption is designed to prevent. If you need them for a file, add it without encryption.
I started setting up encryption but didn't finish. What now?
Open Settings › File Encryption and tap Continue Setup. You'll enter your encryption password, then save and confirm your recovery key.
Can I open encrypted files on my other devices?
Yes. Encrypted files appear in your Library on every device where you're signed in. On each one, unlock them with your encryption password. Update Speechify on every device first, because older versions of the app don't show encrypted files.