DuckDuckGo Browser Gets Encrypted Bookmark and Password Syncing

DuckDuckGo Browser users can now securely sync their favorites, bookmarks, and passwords across multiple devices, without having to set up an account or sign in to use it.

The privacy-first browser enables this through its new “Sync & Backup” feature, which generates a QR code on mobile devices or an alphanumeric code on a computer to establish syncing.

As per DuckDuckGo’s privacy, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track users, and cannot access users’ synced data, including passwords in the browser’s built-in password manager, which encrypts passwords locally. When private sync is used, all data stays securely encrypted throughout the syncing process, since the unique key needed to decrypt it is stored only on the devices.

Backup & Sync also enables users to migrate bookmarks and passwords to a new device, and sync their Email Protection account between devices. (DuckDuckGo Email Protection is a free email forwarding service that removes hidden email trackers and lets users create unique private email addresses on the fly.)

According to DuckDuckGo, the new feature works across most Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone devices, and can be found in the browser’s Settings (Sync & Backup ➝ Sync With Another Device). Those only working with one device can choose Sync and Back Up This Device from the Single-Device Setup section.

After setup, the browser generates a Recovery PDF document that contains the user’s unique, locally generated Recovery Code, which can be used to gain access to synced data if the associated devices are lost or damaged.

DuckDuckGo’s browser offers more than a dozen privacy protections, including ad tracker blocking and cookie pop-up removal. It is available for iOS devices on the App Store and for Mac on the Mac App Store and DuckDuckGo website.