# Manage Keys

For each user, an Object Storage key must be generated manually using [<mark style="color:blue;">Generate a Key</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/get-started/generate-key).

## Activate or deactivate a key

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.

2\. In the **Key management** tab, go to the **Access keys** section that lists all keys present in your account.

3\. Select the key and toggle on or off the **Active** option to activate or deactivate the key.

![Toggle key active status](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d0a58071ea5d3e71fe9d15dfa871c65e6e863256%2Fs3-key-activate-deactivate.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The access key status is set as `active` when toggled on and `deactivated` when toggled off.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:**

* When you have only one access key, disabling this key will lose your access to all existing buckets. However, the objects remain and usage costs continue to apply.
* To avoid losing access to your Object Storage buckets, you need at least one active access key. You can either generate a new access key or set an existing deactivated key as `active`.
  {% endhint %}

## Activate or deactivate keys of other users

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Only contract administrators and owners can set up the object storage and manage keys for other users. Make sure you have the corresponding permission.
{% endhint %}

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Management** > **Users & Groups**.

2\. Select the user from the **Users** list and click the **Object Storage Keys** tab.

3\. Select the checkbox **Active** against the **Key** you want to set as active. Uncheck the checkbox if you want to deactivate the key.

![Key active](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-49f0a0f4f58bc2f229987e6364cf8880b1dd2d75%2Fs3-active-key-other-user.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The access key status is successfully updated.
{% endhint %}

## Delete a key

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.

2\. In the **Key management** tab, go to the **Access keys** section that lists all keys present in your account.

3\. Select the key to be deleted and click **Delete**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Any access associated with this key will be revoked and cannot be restored.
{% endhint %}

![Delete key](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-adeb8c5fc0c36939844938b691fcebb9e2bacc19%2Fs3-delete-key.png?alt=media)

4\. To confirm the deletion of the key, click **Delete**.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The access key is successfully deleted.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** When you have only one access key with existing buckets, you cannot delete this key. You can either choose to [<mark style="color:blue;">Deactivate a key</mark>](#activate-or-deactivate-a-key) or create a new access key before deleting the selected key. You can also delete existing buckets and continue with deleting the last access key.
{% endhint %}

## Delete key of other users

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Only contract administrators and owners can delete keys for other users. Make sure you have the corresponding permission.
{% endhint %}

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Management** > **Users & Groups**.

2\. Select the user from the **Users** list and click the **Object Storage Keys** tab.

3\. Select the key to be deleted from the list of keys and click **Delete**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Any access associated with this key will be revoked and cannot be restored.
{% endhint %}

![Delete key](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-13cb4f98872fc3d8b960c389ddf54ae7413dec0d%2Fs3-delete-key-users.png?alt=media)

4\. To confirm the deletion of the key, click **OK**.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The access key is successfully deleted.
{% endhint %}

## API

Use the [<mark style="color:blue;">API</mark>](https://api.ionos.com/docs/cloud/v6/#tag/User-S3-keys) or [<mark style="color:blue;">Object Storage Management API</mark>](https://api.ionos.com/docs/s3-management/v1/) to manage Object Storage access keys.