FAQ

Issues

Can't save a password

• Is the folder initialized? Easiest way is to use the [Users] button and make sure you can encrypt for someone (e.g. yourself)
• Are you using Git? If not, make sure it is switched off.

I have an issue with GNOME keyring

• Disable GNOME keyring
• Create a ~/.gnupg/gpg-agent.conf containing:

enable-ssh-support
write-env-file
use-standard-socket
default-cache-ttl 600
max-cache-ttl 7200

• See the pass FAQ for more troubleshooting tips.

I don't get a passphrase / PIN dialog

• You'll need to install a pinentry package (often called pinentry-qt, pinentry-qt5, or a similar name like pinentry-gtk depending on your distribution; search in your package manager) and possibly set the full path to that executable in your ~/.gnupg/gpg-agent.conf for example: pinentry-program /usr/bin/pinentry-qt
• On some systems it might be necessary to create a symbolic link /usr/bin/pinentry to your pinentry application of choice eg: ln -s /usr/bin/pinentry-qt /usr/bin/pinentry
• On macOS pinentry-program /usr/local/bin/pinentry-mac works after installing pinentry-mac from Homebrew.

I have another issue with gpg

• On modern systems, gpg is usually GnuPG 2.x already. If your system has separate gpg and gpg2 keyrings (typically older or custom setups), your key may exist in one but not the other.

gpg --export [ID] > public.key
gpg --export-secret-key [ID] > private.key
gpg2 --import public.key
gpg2 --import private.key
rm public.key private.key

Where [ID] is your gpg key-id. If your setup is reversed, exchange gpg and gpg2 accordingly.

Git doesn't work on Windows

Git for Windows comes with an ssh-askpass compatible command, git-gui--askpass (located in /mingw64/libexec/git-core/git-gui--askpass on PortableGit version, presumably some place similar for the installed version).

To use it:

1. Set SSH_ASKPASS environment variable to the full path of git-gui--askpass, for example:

   C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\libexec\git-core\git-gui--askpass.exe

2. Optionally set GIT_ASKPASS to the same value so Git uses the same helper.
3. Restart QtPass after setting the environment variables.

Example using PowerShell:

$env:SSH_ASKPASS = "C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\libexec\git-core\git-gui--askpass.exe"
$env:GIT_ASKPASS = "C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\libexec\git-core\git-gui--askpass.exe"

Or to make it permanent:

setx SSH_ASKPASS "C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\libexec\git-core\git-gui--askpass.exe"
setx GIT_ASKPASS "C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\libexec\git-core\git-gui--askpass.exe"

Note: After using setx, you'll need to start QtPass in a new session (close and reopen your terminal, or log out and back in) for the environment variables to take effect.

Git has issues with GPG SSH Authentication

This tutorial might resolve your issues. https://gitforwindows.org/OpenSSH-Integration-with-Pageant

GPG says "Public key unusable" or "No secret key"

Your GPG key may not be trusted or has expired. Run gpg --edit-key <KEYID> and:

• Set the trust level to "ultimate" (trust command)
• Check if the key has expired (expire command to extend if needed)
• For smartcards/YubiKeys, ensure the card is connected and unlocked (you can verify with gpg --card-status)

What is the "Signing Key" in profile settings?

The Signing Key field in profile configuration is optional and usually should be left empty.

It is only needed if you want to create detached signatures for your .gpg-id files to verify the recipients list hasn't been tampered with. Most users can ignore this field.

Common mistake: Putting your GPG key ID here will cause "Signature does not exist" errors when saving passwords. Leave it empty unless you specifically need signature verification.

OTP QR codes don't work on macOS

Applications launched from Finder don't inherit the shell PATH. Install QtPass via Homebrew (which sets up PATH correctly) or create a wrapper script that sets PATH before launching QtPass, for example:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Adjust PATH as needed for your Homebrew / QtPass installation
export PATH="/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"
exec /Applications/QtPass.app/Contents/MacOS/qtpass "$@"

Save this script (e.g. as ~/bin/qtpass-wrapper.sh), make it executable with chmod +x ~/bin/qtpass-wrapper.sh, and configure your launcher (Automator app, custom .app bundle, or shortcut) to run this script instead of starting QtPass directly.

QtPass doesn't follow my system language

QtPass uses the system language at startup. On some desktop environments, you may need to launch QtPass from the terminal or configure your desktop environment to pass the correct locale environment variables.

Where is the configuration stored?

QtPass tries to use the native configuration location for the operating system it is running on.

• Linux and BSD: $HOME/.config/IJHack/QtPass.conf
• macOS: $HOME/Library/Preferences/com.IJHack.QtPass.plist
• Windows registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IJHack\QtPass

These settings can be overridden by a qtpass.ini file in the folder where the application resides. So-called "portable config".

There are some things to take care of when trying to sync on some systems (especially macOS, with regards to text and binary .plist files).

More information: https://doc.qt.io/qt-6/qsettings.html#platform-specific-notes

Where can I ask for help?

• Create an issue on GitHub.
• Send an email to help@qtpass.org
• Visit the Official QtPass site

Can I import from KeePass, LastPass or X?

• Yes, check passwordstore.org/#migration for more info.

I don't see icons on the buttons

You do not have the Qt SVG library installed. Please install using your favorite package manager.

I get icons that do not fit my (X11) default

• On some WindowManagers, Qt doesn't know what icon set to use. A trick:

export DESKTOP_SESSION=gnome

Can not find either qmake or qmake6

QtPass uses Qt6 by default. Use:

• qmake6 - for Qt6 (recommended, default)
• qmake - for Qt5

If you get an error like "QApplication" not found or Qt installation issues, make sure you're using the correct qmake version for your Qt installation.

On some systems, you may need to specify the full path, e.g., /usr/lib/qt6/bin/qmake6.

Qt installation issues

If you encounter Qt installation issues, you'll have to install the current version via your package manager or download it from https://www.qt.io/download/ and build from source.

I don't like the design, what gives?

• It's all on GitHub, clone, change and send a pull request.
• Open an issue and point out defects or better yet propose changes.

QtPass is not in my native language

• Unfortunately, QtPass might not support your native language, or the translations might be incomplete. Check if newer versions of QtPass support it.
• If translations are available but aren't working, try to set the language manually (see below) or open an issue.

How do I set the language manually?

QtPass uses the system language. Changing it depends on your system:

• on Linux: LANGUAGE=fr qtpass will run QtPass in French.

How can I help improve QtPass?

I would like to donate

• Time:
  • Read contributing documentation.
  • Fork, clone, hack and send a pull request.
  • Find an issue to work on.
  • Participate in our bug bounty, you submit an issue and help us fix it, I send you a bounty.