How to Open a Locked Link: A Quick Guide for Recipients

You Received a Locked Link — Now What?

Someone just sent you a link that looks something like lock.pub/abc123, and when you clicked it, you were asked for a password. Don't worry — that's completely normal.

A locked link is a password-protected URL created through LOCK.PUB. The sender deliberately added a password to keep the content private. Only people with the correct password can view what's behind it.

The person who sent you the link should have also shared the password with you — maybe through iMessage, Messenger, or another channel.

How to Open a Locked Link

Opening a locked link is straightforward. Here's how:

1. Click the link — Open the URL you received (e.g., lock.pub/abc123)
2. See the password prompt — You'll land on a page asking for a password
3. Enter the password — Type in the password the sender shared with you
4. Access the content — Once verified, you'll see the content immediately

That's it. The whole process takes just a few seconds.

What Types of Content Can Be Behind a Locked Link?

Locked links on LOCK.PUB can protect several types of content:

• Links — A redirect to a secret URL (website, document, video, etc.)
• Memos — A private text note the sender wrote for you
• Chat rooms — An encrypted anonymous chat room
• Polls — A private voting page
• Images — Password-protected photos or screenshots
• Boards — A shared message board
• Audio — A voice recording or audio file

The password prompt looks the same regardless of the content type. You won't know what's behind it until you enter the correct password.

Troubleshooting: Can't Open the Link?

If you're having trouble accessing a locked link, check the table below:

Problem	Likely Cause	What to Do
"Wrong password" error	Incorrect password entered	Double-check for typos, extra spaces, or case sensitivity. Ask the sender to re-share the password.
"This link has expired"	The link passed its expiration time	Ask the sender to create a new locked link.
Page won't load	Browser or network issue	Try a different browser or clear your cache. Check your internet connection.
"Link not found"	The sender deleted the link	Contact the sender — they may need to create a new one.
Password works but content is empty	Content may have been removed	Reach out to the sender to confirm.

Is It Safe to Open a Locked Link?

Locked links on LOCK.PUB are designed with security in mind:

• Passwords are never stored in plain text — they're hashed using SHA256
• Chat messages are end-to-end encrypted — even the server can't read them
• Links can have expiration times — they automatically become inaccessible after a set period

That said, use common sense:

• Only open locked links from people you trust. If a stranger sends you a locked link, treat it with caution.
• Verify the domain. Make sure the URL starts with lock.pub. Don't enter passwords on lookalike domains.
• The password protects the content, not your device. Opening a locked link is safe — it simply reveals text, a URL, or a chat room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a locked link without a password? No. The password is the only way to access the content. There's no recovery option or bypass. Ask the sender for the password.

What if the link has expired? Expired links can't be reopened. The sender will need to create a new locked link and share it with you again.

Is my password stored somewhere? No. LOCK.PUB doesn't store your entered password. It's verified against a hash and then discarded.

Can I save the content after opening it? That depends on the content type. You can copy text from memos or follow redirect links. Chat room messages are visible only while you're in the room.

Want to Create Your Own Locked Links?

Now that you know how receiving a locked link works, you might want to try creating one yourself. Whether it's a private note, a secret link, or an encrypted chat room — LOCK.PUB makes it simple and free.

Create a locked link now ->