Safer Badgers - COVID-19 Private Key
How do I use the Secret QR code to unlock my data on a new phone?
Your COVID-19 Private Key
Your COVID-19 Private Key secret code represents the encryption keys used to protect your data in Safer Badgers. It is saved locally. Without these keys, your phone will not be able to unlock your test results and reported symptoms, and your building access status will not be updated.
We strongly recommend that you save your COVID-19 Private Key now.
! Your COVID-19 Private Key contains your testing and health history. This information will be lost if you do not save your COVID-19 Private Key prior to uninstalling your app.
! We do not store your COVID-19 Private Key, testing history, or health history on our servers. We will not be able to retrieve it for you.
Your COVID-19 Private Key is used to transfer your encryption keys when reinstalling, or installing on a second or replacement phone.
You should not share this COVID-19 Private Key with anyone else.
If you do not save your COVID-19 Private Key and lose your testing history, you will have to get tested again.
Transfer your COVID-19 Private Key between phones
If you reinstall Safer Badgers or get a new phone, you can use the Scan button during setup or in the Settings menu to open the camera and scan the COVID-19 Private Key from another display. Depending on the lighting and other factors, you may need to try several times.
- On your original phone, tap on the COVID-19 Private Key button in the settings menu. Your COVID-19 Private Key will open.
- On your new or replacement phone, tap Scan Your COVID-19 Private Key during setup or in the settings menu to open the camera and scan the image.
Depending on the lighting and other factors, you may need to try several times.
Save your COVID-19 Private Key
Important! If you don't take this step and then reinstall the app later, you will likely lose your testing history.
You can save your COVID-19 Private Key to your phone or connected cloud storage:
- Open the Settings menu and tap the COVID-19 Private Key button.
- Tap Save on the COVID-19 Private Key screen.
Retrieve your COVID-19 Private Key
Should you need to reinstall the app, you can restore your COVID-19 Private Key if you backed it up previously. Doing so will restore your access to your testing history.
After you've reinstalled and begun the set up process, you'll see a message stating that it "Looks like you've used this feature before on another device."
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Scroll down to and tap Retrieve your COVID-19 Private Key
- Tap Allow when prompted to Allow Safer Badgers to access photos and media on your device.
- Tap the thumbnail of your COVID-19 Private Key image.
- Tap OK.
Reset your COVID-19 Private Key
If you've reinstalled Safer Badgers and did not save your COVID-19 Private Key, you can reset your COVID-19 Private Key during setup or in the Settings menu after connecting your NetID.
Your testing history and reported symptoms will be cleared and a new COVID-19 Private Key is created for you.
Troubleshooting
My COVID-19 keys are not paired
You must transfer your keys to this phone to unlock your data. Use the instructions above to load your keys or reset your COVID-19 Private Key if it is lost.
Unable to retrieve user COVID-19 settings
Safer Badgers requires an internet connection. Check your connectivity and tap Retry.
Where is my secret COVID-19 Private Key saved?
On iPhone, your COVID-19 Private Key is saved to the Camera Roll.
On Android, your COVID-19 Private Key is saved to the Pictures folder of the phone's storage. You may have to first tap "Show internal storage" in the Android Files app.
What if I didn't save my COVID-19 Private Key?
We do not store your COVID-19 Private Key, testing history, or health history on our servers. We will not be able to retrieve it for you.
Your COVID-19 Private Key is used to transfer your encryption keys when reinstalling, or installing on a second or replacement phone.
If you do not save your COVID-19 Private Key and lose your testing history, you will have to get tested again.
Additional Help
For more information on the COVID-19 measures on campus, please see COVID-19 Response.
For more information on Safer Badgers, please see Safer Badgers.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the UW-Madison COVID-19 Assistance Line at (608) 262-7777.