Question 1

What is PostNotes?

Accepted Answer

PostNotes is a secure, privacy-focused platform that lets you write personal messages for the people you care about — messages that will only be revealed after you're gone. Think of it as a digital legacy vault: your words stay completely private and encrypted until a trusted person (or group of people) you designated confirms that it's time to release them.

Question 2

Who is PostNotes designed for?

Accepted Answer

PostNotes is for anyone who wants to leave something meaningful behind: Parents who want to leave letters for their children · Partners who want to preserve words of love or important instructions · People in high-risk professions who think about preparedness · Anyone who simply values knowing their final words will be delivered · Estate planners and legal advisors who want a digital legacy solution for clients

Question 3

Do I need to be dying to use PostNotes?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. Many users create messages as an act of love or peace of mind — not because they're facing any immediate situation. It is simply a responsible, thoughtful thing to do, like writing a will or leaving instructions in a safe deposit box.

Question 4

Is PostNotes a morbid service?

Accepted Answer

We don't think so — and we've worked hard to make sure it doesn't feel that way. PostNotes is framed around legacy, love, and the positive impact your words can have on the people you care about, long after you're gone.

Question 5

How is PostNotes different from just leaving a document in my email drafts?

Accepted Answer

A document in email drafts depends on someone finding it, knowing to look, and the email service still existing. PostNotes provides a structured, reliable delivery mechanism: trusted people you designate are notified, you have a configurable window to cancel an accidental trigger, and your messages remain at a permanent URL for as long as needed — with longevity guarantees even if the company were to close.

Question 6

Can I trust PostNotes with something this personal?

Accepted Answer

We take that responsibility seriously. Key commitments: Zero-knowledge encryption means we mathematically cannot read your messages if you choose to encrypt them. · We do not sell your data. · If the company ever closes, disclosed messages remain available for a minimum of 2 years and we distribute annual SD-card archives as part of a transparent exit plan. · The platform is designed to be GDPR-compliant from the ground up.

Question 7

How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

You register with your email address. By default you sign in with a one-time magic link sent to your inbox — no password to remember — or you can set a password instead if you prefer. No special software is required; PostNotes runs entirely in your browser.

Question 8

Do I need to install anything?

Accepted Answer

No. PostNotes is a web-based platform. You access it entirely through your browser. If you choose to encrypt your messages, the encryption happens locally in your browser — no plugins or apps required.

Question 9

Can I use PostNotes on mobile devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PostNotes is a web application that works in any modern mobile browser. A dedicated mobile app is not required.

Question 10

What languages is PostNotes available in?

Accepted Answer

PostNotes is available in English and German — you can switch languages at any time. Your messages themselves can be written in any language, and each message can be set to left-to-right or right-to-left text direction.

Question 11

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

You don't need one — PostNotes is free to start and stays free. The free tier includes one message, storage, trusted contacts, and the full confirmation workflow, with no card on file and nothing that expires. When you outgrow a limit, you lift it with a one-time purchase that stays on your account forever.

Question 12

What do I need to have ready before I start?

Accepted Answer

Not much. Once you have an account you can immediately start writing. The one thing to think about in advance is who you'd trust to be a confirmation agent — the person or people who will eventually trigger the release of your messages.

Question 13

How much does PostNotes cost?

Accepted Answer

PostNotes is free to start — and there is no subscription. The free tier includes one encrypted message with 10 MB of storage, up to five trusted contacts, the full confirmation workflow, and a small password vault. When you need more, you buy one-time upgrades that stay on your account forever. Current prices are listed on the pricing page.

Question 14

What's included in the free tier?

Accepted Answer

Everything you need for a complete, working legacy plan: One message slot with 10 MB of storage · The complete confirmation workflow: agents, trigger threshold, and cancellation window · Up to five trusted contacts who are notified on release · A password vault with five entries and one recipient · 50 views and 5 downloads per released message

Question 15

What upgrades can I buy?

Accepted Answer

All upgrades are one-time purchases — pay once, keep forever: Extra message slots and bigger single messages · Storage packs (+500 MB or +2 GB, stackable up to 3 GB) · A contacts pack (+100 trusted contacts) · Status updates for your trusted contacts · Send credits for SMS and WhatsApp deliveries (they never expire) · Vault premium (up to 500 entries, 10 recipients) · AI legacy chat and AI voice · A package of 25 physical QR cards · Identity verification for agents and recipients · A social farewell post from your own X account

Question 16

Are there any recurring charges?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. The only thing that gets used up over time are credits (for SMS/WhatsApp deliveries and AI conversations) — you top those up manually whenever you choose, and they never expire.

Question 17

Are physical cards included?

Accepted Answer

Physical cards are a separate one-time purchase, sold as a package of 25 printed QR cards. See the Physical Cards section for how they work.

Question 18

What happens to my purchases after my messages are released?

Accepted Answer

Nothing to cancel and nothing further to pay — there are no recurring charges. Your released messages stay accessible to their recipients, and your one-time purchases simply remain on your account.

Question 19

Can PostNotes read my messages?

Accepted Answer

Only unencrypted messages could in principle be accessed by PostNotes administrators (for example, to comply with a legal order). If you choose zero-knowledge encryption, your message is encrypted in your browser before it reaches our servers and is mathematically inaccessible to us — we never have your password.

Question 20

What is zero-knowledge encryption?

Accepted Answer

Zero-knowledge encryption means your message is scrambled in your browser using a password only you know, before it is ever sent to our servers. We receive only the encrypted version. Without your password, it is unreadable — by anyone, including us.

Question 21

Does PostNotes comply with GDPR?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PostNotes is designed with GDPR compliance from the ground up: minimal data collection, data portability, the right to delete your account before disclosure, and no analysis or profiling of your message content.

Question 22

Does PostNotes sell my data?

Accepted Answer

No. PostNotes does not sell or share personal data with third parties except as required to operate the service (for example, routing email and SMS through delivery providers, or processing payments through our payment provider).

Question 23

What happens to my messages if PostNotes shuts down?

Accepted Answer

PostNotes is designed with longevity as a core principle: Disclosed messages remain available for a minimum of 2 years even if the company closes. · Every year, we prepare SD-card archives of disclosed message data, distributed as part of a transparent exit plan. · The platform is built to be cloud-agnostic and portable.

Question 24

I received a link to someone's message. How do I open it?

Accepted Answer

Open the link in any modern browser. If the message is unencrypted, it will display immediately. If the message is encrypted, you will be prompted for a password — which the author should have shared with you separately (or printed on a physical card).

Question 25

Do I need an account to read a message?

Accepted Answer

No. Disclosed messages are accessible to anyone with the link. No account or login is required.

Question 26

The message I'm trying to open asks for a password. Where do I get it?

Accepted Answer

The password was set by the person who wrote the message. They may have given you a physical card with the password, stored it in a shared password manager, or left it somewhere safe for you. PostNotes has no way to recover or bypass this password.

Question 27

Can I download a disclosed message?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Disclosed messages are downloadable as self-contained HTML files that can be viewed offline without any internet connection.

Question 28

A link I was given doesn't work. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Make sure the full URL is entered correctly — especially if it was typed manually from a physical card. If the link is still not working, the message may not have been disclosed yet (the confirmation process may not have completed). If the page says viewing is paused, the message has reached its viewing limit — it is not gone; contact support. Otherwise, contact the person who gave you the link if possible.

Question 29

What does my dashboard show?

Accepted Answer

Your dashboard gives you an overview of: All your messages and their current status (draft, active, disclosed) · Your confirmation agent setup and trigger threshold · Storage usage vs. your storage limit · Physical card orders and which cards are linked to which messages · Notification and alert settings

Question 30

How do I know everything is set up correctly?

Accepted Answer

A setup checklist or status summary is shown on your dashboard. At a minimum, you should have at least one message, at least one confirmation agent assigned, and a confirmed cancellation window. If any of these are missing, the dashboard will highlight what still needs attention.

Question 31

Can I test what my recipients will receive?

Accepted Answer

Yes — run a rehearsal. PostNotes creates temporary copies of your deliverable messages and releases them to you alone: you receive the same email a recipient would get, with working links to the rehearsal copies. Your real messages stay untouched, no recipients or agents are contacted, and the copies expire automatically. You can also end a rehearsal early at any time.

Question 32

What can I write in a message?

Accepted Answer

Anything you want to preserve — a personal letter, important information (account passwords, the location of a will), expressions of love, explanations, apologies, instructions, or anything else meaningful to you. PostNotes provides a rich-text editor.

Question 33

Can I address different messages to different people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can create multiple messages and intend each one for a different person. Each message has its own permanent URL, password, and settings. You might give each recipient their own physical card or share the URL directly.

Question 34

Can I include images in my messages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can upload images directly into a message; they count toward your storage quota. Images stay private exactly like your text: nothing is visible to anyone before release, and images embedded in an encrypted message are protected by the same encryption.

Question 35

How large can a single message be?

Accepted Answer

A message on the free tier can hold up to 10 MB, including images and attachments. The bigger-messages upgrade raises what a single message can hold, and storage packs raise your account-wide total (stackable up to 3 GB).

Question 36

Can I attach files to a message?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can attach downloadable files such as PDFs or ZIP archives. Attachments travel with the message bundle so recipients can download them when the message is disclosed.

Question 37

Is there a storage limit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free accounts include 10 MB of storage. You can raise it permanently with one-time storage packs (+500 MB or +2 GB, stackable up to 3 GB in total). Your dashboard shows current usage, and you can also free space by trimming existing messages.

Question 38

Can I have multiple messages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The free tier includes one message slot, and you can add more slots as one-time purchases. Each message gets its own unique, permanent URL, its own optional password, and its own recipient.

Question 39

Can I preview how my message will look to the recipient?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can preview the rendered message from the editor before saving. The preview shows exactly what a recipient will see when the message is disclosed, including layout, images, and formatting.

Question 40

Can I duplicate or copy a message?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can duplicate an existing message as a starting point for a new one. The duplicate is saved as a new draft with its own URL and settings.

Question 41

How do I delete a single message?

Accepted Answer

You can delete individual messages from your dashboard at any time before disclosure. Deleting a message is permanent and cannot be undone. Once a message has been disclosed, it cannot be deleted through the dashboard (see the After Disclosure section).

Question 42

Can I edit my messages after I've created them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at any time before disclosure. Once the confirmation process completes and messages are released, editing is no longer possible.

Question 43

What happens to my messages if I don't log in for a long time?

Accepted Answer

Nothing — and that is deliberate. PostNotes never releases anything because of silence or inactivity. Your messages stay stored and private until your confirmation flow is triggered by the people you chose. (If you explicitly enable proof-of-life check-ins, prolonged unresponsiveness can start the release process — but only because you opted in, and with clear warnings first. See the Proof of Life section.)

Question 44

Do I have to encrypt my messages?

Accepted Answer

No. Encryption is optional. If you choose not to encrypt, your messages are still stored securely on our servers, but they could in principle be accessed by PostNotes administrators (for example, to comply with a legal order).

Question 45

Can I mix encrypted and unencrypted messages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each message can have its own encryption setting. You might choose to encrypt a message containing sensitive personal information while leaving a short sentimental note unencrypted.

Question 46

What is the difference between a message password and the vault master password?

Accepted Answer

Each encrypted message has its own password, chosen when you encrypt it — so every recipient can only open the message meant for them. The master password is something else: it protects your password vault, the separate area where you store credentials for your heirs. The two are independent, and neither is ever sent to our servers.

Question 47

What happens if I forget my encryption password?

Accepted Answer

There is no password recovery for encrypted messages. This is intentional — it ensures true zero-knowledge security. If the password is lost, the message cannot be recovered by you or by us. We strongly recommend: Storing your password in a secure password manager · Printing the password on the physical card for that message (available during card setup) · Sharing the password with your recipient or leaving it somewhere safe and accessible to them

Question 48

How do I change my encryption password?

Accepted Answer

You can re-encrypt a message with a new password from the message settings. This decrypts the message in your browser using the current password and re-encrypts it with the new one. Note: any physical cards that had the old password printed on them will need to be updated manually or replaced.

Question 49

Are my messages scanned if I encrypt them?

Accepted Answer

No. PostNotes does not scan or analyze your message content — encrypted or not. Encrypted content is mathematically unreadable to us. Unencrypted content is stored securely, never mined or profiled, and only ever shown to you and, after release, to your recipients.

Question 50

Does encryption cover images and attachments too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you encrypt a message, everything in its bundle — text, embedded images, and attachments — is encrypted together in your browser before upload. A recipient needs the message password to unlock any of it.

Question 51

What is a confirmation agent?

Accepted Answer

A confirmation agent is a trusted person you designate to trigger the process that eventually releases your messages. This could be a spouse, a sibling, a close friend, or a lawyer — anyone you trust to act on your behalf and who will know when the appropriate time has come.

Question 52

How do I add or change my confirmation agents?

Accepted Answer

Go to your confirmation settings in the dashboard. You can add agents (providing their email, phone, or social contact), remove existing agents, and adjust the trigger threshold at any time.

Question 53

How will my agents know what to do?

Accepted Answer

When you add an agent, they receive an invitation explaining their role and providing them with their confirmation link. You can also re-send the invitation at any time from the dashboard.

Question 54

How do I know my agents have received their invitations?

Accepted Answer

Your dashboard shows the status of every trusted contact — whether their address has been confirmed and when it was last verified. PostNotes also periodically asks long-standing contacts to re-confirm their details so your list stays reliable. If someone hasn't confirmed, re-send the invitation or reach out to them directly.

Question 55

What is the trigger threshold?

Accepted Answer

The trigger threshold is how many of your agents need to submit a confirmation before the process begins. For example, if you have three agents and set a threshold of two, any two of them can trigger the process together. This protects against a single person acting accidentally or unilaterally.

Question 56

What is the cancellation window?

Accepted Answer

The cancellation window is how long you have to cancel the confirmation process after it has been triggered. The default is 48 hours, and you can configure it to be longer in your release settings. We recommend setting it long enough that you could respond even while traveling or unwell.

Question 57

What is the re-privatization link?

Accepted Answer

If your messages are ever released by mistake, the release notification email you receive includes a re-privatization link. Opening it and confirming with your two-factor authentication reverses the release: your messages return to private and your confirmation setup resets. Because this link can undo a release, it is tied to your identity and protected by a second factor — nobody else can use it.

Question 58

Can I have different confirmation settings for different messages?

Accepted Answer

The confirmation setup applies to your account as a whole — when the process is triggered, all messages are disclosed. If you want different messages released at different times or under different conditions, that is not currently supported within a single account.

Question 59

What if a confirmation agent passes away before me, or becomes unreachable?

Accepted Answer

Update your agent list as circumstances change. Log in to your account, remove the agent, and add a replacement. Reviewing your settings once a year — or after major life events — is a good habit.

Question 60

Will my agents know the content of my messages?

Accepted Answer

Not unless you tell them. Their role is only to trigger the confirmation process when the time comes. They do not receive or see message content.

Question 61

What triggers the process?

Accepted Answer

Your confirmation agent(s) follow their unique confirmation link and submit their confirmation. Once the number of agents who have confirmed reaches your trigger threshold, the process begins.

Question 62

What happens once the threshold is met?

Accepted Answer

You are notified immediately by email, including the exact date and time your messages would be released. · Your cancellation window opens (default: 48 hours, configurable). · If you do not cancel within the window, your messages are released and your recipients and trusted contacts are notified.

Question 63

How will I be notified?

Accepted Answer

By email to your account address, immediately when the process is triggered. The email states exactly when release will happen and how to cancel it. Keep your account email current — it is your safety line.

Question 64

What if I'm traveling and miss the cancellation window?

Accepted Answer

You can extend your cancellation window in settings — make it long enough to account for being away from your devices. There is no way to extend the window after the process has already been triggered. This is why configuring an appropriate window in advance matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PostNotes

Getting Started

Pricing & Upgrades

Trust, Privacy & Security

Accessing a Disclosed Message

Your Dashboard

Writing & Managing Messages

Encryption & Passwords

Confirmation Agents & Settings

The Confirmation Process

Proof of Life Check-ins

Physical Cards

Beyond Messages

Payments & Billing

After Disclosure

Account & Privacy