Feature Request: import and export keys to file, Bluetooth, QR, and NFC

[GIJack]

more specificly I'd like to be able to import and export the private key, and public keys to files.

I'd also like to be able to import and export public keys via bluetooth, NFC, and QR code. Something like this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.sufficientlysecure.keychain

The do key management pretty well, for GPG. (sadly no one writes apps that use their wonderful app, but seriously, best key management app there is.) its also open source, I wonder if you could steal some code from them, and use their key management interface.

Reasons I need this

1. new phone, I need to securely wipe the old key, export the old key to a file, and then re-import it.
2. Lost phone, in case I loose my phone, I can reuse the same gpg key.
3. Device immaterial - once I have a back up file of the private key, I can store that on an encrypted parition, or container, and bounce that around as I see fit between devices, PCs, internet storage, etc.. I can then bring it back when I need it. I can also switch between phones at will.

For public keys.

1. in addition to reasons 1-3, having a good back up of my friend's public keys, I can easily re-import them, and share them with other people as needed, to make the fewest amounts of key exchanges needed.
2. I can set up phones for people with all the public keys they need. just load them up, and go.

This would just make an already good app fucking awesome.

[SamWhited]

I started experimenting with NFC on this branch. I don't have two devices to test it with though. If it does work, NFC should probably be factored out into its own Activity.

[c33s]

i am also looking forward to backup my key

[FLYingG0D]

I completely agree with this! I would also love the ability to back up the entire database of texts, keys (public & private) in an encrypted export that can be imported with the password. Currently, I only have the option to export in PlainText, although there is an option to import an encrypted backup.

[landry314]

does the export plaintext option export private keys in plaintext? i would be shocked. does it have anything to do with the keys or just the texts? should i just move the files in /data/data manually to export my keys? are they even stored there?

[sedrubal]

@landry314 no the key will not be exported in plaintext on plaintext backup.

👍 For the feature to export and import the private key and public keys

[micressor]

+1 with this!

[moxie0]

@micressor Please be mindful of the contributing guidelines:

https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#dont-bump-issues

You can use the built-in reaction emoji if you'd like to signal support for something.

[micressor]

@moxie0 I am sorry for the e-mail spam. I have now read the CONTRIBUTING.md and donated via Bithub. From now on, I use emoji to support a feature. Thanks for the friendly note.

[automated-signal]

GitHub Issue Cleanup:
See #7598 for more information.