The guide

Your first ten minutes with Parampara.

Eight short steps, each with the screen you will see on your phone.

Before you start

  • Keep a pen and paper nearby. You will write down your passphrase and your recovery code.
  • If an insurance policy or a passbook is close at hand, keep it with you. If not, you can add the details later.
  • Parampara works on Android phones. The iPhone app comes later.

Part one

Add what you have

Step 1 of 8

Open Parampara

Install Parampara from Google Play and open it. Tap Let's begin, read the three promises, and tap I understand, continue. The app then asks who you are doing this for. Helping a parent? Choose My parents (I'm helping them).

Good to knowYou can stop at any point. The app keeps your place.

Step 2 of 8

Answer two quick questions

Tap the things your family has, such as life insurance, bank accounts or property papers. Then type your name and your family's name. Both names are optional.

Good to knowNo numbers yet. Here the app only asks yes or no.

Step 3 of 8

Add your first thing

The app asks for one thing to start with, and where your family would find its papers. A life insurance policy is a good first choice. Tap Save this entry.

Good to knowThe line about the papers helps your family most. “Blue file in the steel almirah” can save them days of searching.

Part two

Lock it

Step 4 of 8

Create your account

Type your email address and tap Continue with email. We send a 6-digit code to that inbox. Type the code and tap Verify & save.

Good to knowDon't know your email address? Tap Continue with Google instead. It uses the Google account already on your phone.

Step 5 of 8

Choose your passphrase

Your passphrase locks the vault on your phone. A short sentence you will remember works well. Write it on paper first, then type it twice. When both checks are ticked, tap Secure my vault.

Good to knowWe never see your passphrase, so we cannot reset it. Parampara will never ask you for it, on a call or anywhere else.

Step 6 of 8

Save your recovery code

The app shows a code of letters and numbers. It is your way back in if you ever forget your passphrase. Copy it onto paper, tick the box, and tap I've saved it, continue. Next the app offers fingerprint unlock; your passphrase keeps working either way.

Good to knowKeep the paper somewhere safe at home, away from your phone. A photo on the same phone won't help if the phone is lost.

Part three

Choose who can see it

Step 7 of 8

Invite someone you trust

Open the Family tab and tap Invite a family member. Add their name and email address, choose when they can see your vault and which parts, then tap Send the invitation.

Good to knowWith Only in an emergency, your vault stays closed to them. If they ever ask for access, you get 7, 14 or 30 days to say no. Nothing is shared until they accept and you confirm on your phone. You can invite up to three people.

Step 8 of 8

Turn on Check-in

Check-in opens your vault to your family if something happens to you. In the Family tab, tap Check-in and choose On. Opening the app counts as checking in.

Good to knowIf a long time passes with no word from you, we remind you first, on your phone and by email. Then we ask your family to check on you. Your vault opens to them only after that, and never silently.

What to add next

Add these when the papers are at hand. One a day is plenty.

  1. Life insurance policies
  2. Bank accounts and FDs
  3. Where the property papers are
  4. The Will and the nominees
  5. PPF and EPF

Stuck on a step?

Write to [email protected] and tell us which screen you are on. A person reads every message and replies.

Read the help page

Start your family's vault.

Download for Android

Free on Google Play.