MeXkey3 Mode Detailed Explanation#

MeXkey3 currently supports three modes:

• Normal Mode (default)
• Emergency Mode
• Duress Mode

The three modes use independent kdbx files, independent kdbx passwords, and independent PIN codes.

Normal Mode#

• Default working mode, no special setup required.
• The password database file can be any name, but cannot be emg.kdbx or drs.kdbx.

Emergency Mode#

• The password database must be named emg.kdbx.

How to Set Up Emergency Mode#

1. In Normal Mode, go to Settings → MeXkey Mode and switch to Emergency Mode.
2. Reboot MeXkey3:
   • When powered via USB: Click "Shutdown" in the main menu.
   • When running on battery: Briefly press the power button.
3. Enter or set the Emergency Mode PIN code.
4. Go to Settings and enable USB Mode.
5. Copy the emg.kdbx file to the MeXkey3 USB drive.
6. Open the MeXkeyConfig.txt file on the USB drive, enter the password for emg.kdbx, and save the file.
7. Safely eject the USB drive, return to Settings, and disable USB Mode.
8. Click Reload Database.
9. Switch back to Normal Mode or reboot and unlock with the Normal Mode PIN to exit Emergency Mode.

How to Use Emergency Mode#

• When the device is not in Emergency Mode, after startup, enter the Emergency Mode PIN code.
• The device enters a waiting state. It must remain powered via USB and will count down according to the set time. (Settings → Emergency Mode Wait, unit is hours, default 48 hours)
• After the countdown ends, it will automatically unlock and enter Emergency Mode.

Duress Mode#

• The password database must be named drs.kdbx.

How to Set Up Duress Mode#

1. The setup steps are the same as for Emergency Mode, simply replace the filename with drs.kdbx and enter the corresponding password in the configuration file.

Effect of Duress Mode#

When starting in a non-Duress Mode and entering the Duress Mode PIN code:

1. Immediately delete all password database files except drs.kdbx;
2. Rename the drs.kdbx file;
3. Clear data related to Normal Mode and Emergency Mode;
4. Clear Smart Card information;
5. Automatically convert Duress Mode to Normal Mode.