> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kaptured.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bring Your Own Key (API Keys)

> Add your own Google Gemini API key for image generation.

The **API Keys** page lets you add your own Google Gemini API key. When a key is saved, image generation uses it when available.

This is optional. Kaptured AI works fully without it.

<Frame caption="The API Keys page.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kapturedai/r8YZwmjBTqL5Dkij/images/byok.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=r8YZwmjBTqL5Dkij&q=85&s=cf1d0fe8c4b4249d814c6de445ab65a7" alt="Bring Your Own Key card with an API key field and Save API Key button" width="1360" height="560" data-path="images/byok.webp" />
</Frame>

## Add your key

1. Create an API key in [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey). It starts with `AIza`.
2. In Kaptured AI, open the profile menu and go to **API Keys**.
3. Paste the key into **Enter your API key** and click **Save API Key**.

You see "Your API key has been saved and is ready to use." The key is stored encrypted and shown as `******` from then on. In the studio's **Final Settings**, a badge shows **Your own Gemini API key in use**.

## Change or remove your key

Click **Clear Key**. To change it, clear the old key and save the new one.

## If the key won't save

| Message                                     | Fix                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **API key must start with AIza**            | You've pasted something else. Copy the key again from Google AI Studio |
| **API key should be 35–40 characters long** | Part of the key is missing, or there are extra spaces                  |

## Q: Does my own key change what I pay in credits?

No. Credits are charged the same way with or without your own key. See [How Credits Work](/subscription-and-billing/credits-explained).

## Q: Is there one key per person or per shop?

One key per shop.

## Related articles

* [Final Settings and Image Engines](/ai-photo-studio/final-settings-and-image-engines)
* [How Credits Work](/subscription-and-billing/credits-explained)
* [Devices, Sessions and Password](/account-and-security/devices-and-sessions)