Skip to main content

Creating an Account

Sign up for Handrive using email or Google authentication.

Sign-In Options​

Handrive offers two ways to sign in:

Option 1: Email One-Time Password (OTP)​

  1. Enter your email address
  2. Click Continue
  3. Check your email for a 6-digit verification code
  4. Enter the code in the app
  5. You're signed in!
note

The verification code expires after a few minutes. If it expires, request a new one.

Option 2: Continue with Google​

  1. Click Continue with Google
  2. Select your Google account
  3. You'll be signed in automatically

This links your Handrive account to your Google identity.

Your Identity​

In Handrive, your email address is your identity:

  • Email - Your unique identifier (used for sign-in and sharing)
  • Display Name - Optional name shown to contacts (set in Profile)
  • Avatar - Optional profile picture URL (set in Profile)

Multiple Devices​

You can sign into Handrive on multiple devices using the same email. Each device:

  • Maintains its own session
  • Can have its own local shares
  • Syncs contacts and remote shares automatically

When contacts connect to you, they see shares from all your signed-in devices.

Privacy & Data Storage​

On Handrive Servers​

We only store minimal account data:

  • Your email address (for authentication)
  • Your display name and avatar URL (optional)
  • Your contact list (email addresses you've added)

On Your Device​

Everything else stays local:

  • Your shares and their settings
  • Your files (in folders you've shared)
  • File metadata and tags

Your files are never uploaded to Handrive servers. Transfers happen directly between devices (peer-to-peer).

Signing Out​

To sign out:

  1. Click your avatar in the bottom left of the sidebar
  2. Select Log Out

This signs you out of the current device only. Your shares and settings remain on the device for when you sign back in.

Next: Interface Overview