Set Backup Folder
mSecure and Android Security Requirements
In newer versions of Android OS, Google has refined its security with third-party apps like mSecure. In older versions, apps were given free rein to use various folders in the device's internal storage. This made it simple for apps to store data that persists even if the app itself gets uninstalled. This is extremely important for apps like mSecure because backups are created regularly to keep your data safe in the event something goes wrong, and certain assets are cached locally for better performance and less memory usage.
For example, if you are not using one of mSecure's sync features to keep your data in sync on multiple devices and mSecure is deleted accidentally, you might lose your information. Since the database file stored on the device is destroyed when an app is deleted, your data would be lost. If a backup file is created on a regular basis, however, you can restore your information after mSecure is reinstalled.
Local storage is also important for mSecure so it can store icons and attachments you add to your records. There is no need to download the site icons every time the app is reinstalled or to recreate the encrypted attachments you have added to your records. mSecure caches these items in your device's memory so it always has access to them when you are using the app.
As of Android 10, Google now requires users to give apps permission before they are allowed access to internal or external device storage. While important and necessary for many apps, including mSecure, this new requirement puts a strain on the user experience.
Since local storage is a requirement for mSecure, and since mSecure doesn't have permission to access the file system in any way, the user must now permit access to a folder located on the device's internal storage to back up their information. Making matters more complicated, it's possible the user is upgrading from a previous version of mSecure that stored an encrypted migration file in a folder the newer version of mSecure should be able to access by default. Before the migration file can be used by the new version, however, it first has to be granted access to the folder in which it's stored. So now the user not only has to choose a folder mSecure can access, they also have to select a specific folder in order for upgrades to proceed in the simplest way possible.
For the reasons provided above, users should set a folder with a specific name on the root directory of their device's internal storage. While it is optional, we highly recommend setting this folder as quickly as possible, since if a backup folder is not set, mSecure's backup feature will not work. The app will not be able to make automatic backups, and you will not be able to create manual backups either.
Instructions
After installing mSecure, you now have to create and/or choose a folder named "mSecure" or "mSecure5" when you set up the app. If creating a new folder, it must be created on the root directory of the device's internal storage. In other words, it can't be created inside a different folder. For example, if you create a folder called "mSecure" inside the "Downloads" folder, after selecting that folder mSecure will show you a dialogue telling you the folder you select must reside on the root of the device's storage and to try again.
If you are upgrading from mSecure 4, and the mSecure 4 app is or was installed on the device you are now using, after tapping "Pick Folder" in the "Set Backups Folder" screen you will find a folder named "mSecure" on the root of your device's internal storage. That folder needs to be selected in order to migrate your information into mSecure during the remainder of the app setup process.
If you are upgrading from mSecure 5, things are a bit different. If the mSecure 5 app was installed on your device before installing the newest version of mSecure, after tapping "Pick Folder" in the "Set Backups Folder" screen you will find a folder named "mSecure5" on the root of your device's internal storage. In order to have access to backups and other important assets created in the old mSecure 5 app, that folder needs to be selected.
If you are new to mSecure, you will simply create a folder called "mSecure." After tapping "Pick Folder" in the "Set Backups Folder" screen, create a folder called "mSecure" on the root of your internal storage, then select it. To reiterate, creating the folder on the root of your device's internal storage simply means the folder can't be located inside another folder.
IMPORTANT: As long as you choose a folder named "mSecure" or "mSecure5" on the root of your device's internal storage, everything will work correctly. However, it's important to follow the instructions above, because if you don't there will be unneeded friction when migrating from mSecure 4, it will be more difficult to find backups created by mSecure 5, and our support team will have a much harder time helping you through certain problems you may encounter in the future.
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