# Sign in, protect your access key, and get recovery help

Your account access key is your sign-in credential. An API key is a different credential for integrations and will not replace your account access key on the sign-in page.

## Sign in with an existing account

1. Open [sign in](https://retrostress.net/auth).
2. Paste the complete account access key from your password manager or saved registration details. Avoid extra spaces or line breaks.
3. Submit the form. A successful sign-in opens your account workspace.

If you see **Invalid access key**, check that you used the account access key rather than an API key or Telegram link code. Check the saved original instead of guessing or modifying characters.

## My key works, but the page returns to sign-in

Use the same official website address throughout sign-in. Allow the site's essential cookies, reload, and try again. If the problem persists, record the browser, page address, time, and error text for support. Do not send browser cookies or authentication headers.

Signing out ends the browser session. Keep your saved key: you will need it to sign in again.

## I lost my account access key

Check your password manager and any private place where you saved the key at registration. Creating a new account does not move the old account's purchases or data.

If you still cannot sign in, contact [RETROSTRESS support on Telegram](https://t.me/retrostress). Describe that you lost access and include any non-secret purchase reference you have. Recovery requires a human review; recovery eligibility and the evidence required are not guaranteed by this guide.

## I may have shared my account key

Contact support promptly for account-security help. Do not paste the exposed key into the ticket or Telegram message. Removing a screenshot from one place does not establish that the key is safe again.

For an exposed API key, follow [API key security](https://retrostress.net/docs#api-key-security), which includes controls available inside the workspace.