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Losing your keys is bad enough, but having to replace the entire lock because you don't have a key to copy makes things even worse - not to mention expensive.

The KeyMe app promises to take the hassle and cost out of this by letting you store photos of your keys online, and order duplicates in the post.

Alternatively, the US service has kiosks that let you copy keys in an emergency, or share photos with a locksmith in person.

KeyMe is a New York-based digital locksmith. The app lets homeowners scan (pictured left) and store their keys in the cloud (pictured right), share these scans with family and friends, and order duplicates in the post. KeyMe is free on iOS but is only currently available in the US

KeyMe is free on iOS but is currently only available in the US. The New York-based startup is looking to expand the service, and an Android version of the app is in development.

After setting up an account, homeowners use their smartphone camera to take a photo of each side of the key.

The photo must be taken on a white background, from a distance of up to 4 inches (10cm), in order to avoid what the app calls 'fly-by' scans.

This doesn't, in theory, protect people from criminals taking photos of other people's keys though.

However, KeyMe does notify users whenever there is activity on their account, but this only applies if a potential thief is using that person's account.

It is unknown whether KeyMe can recognise if the same key is scanned and added to a different account.

MailOnline has contacted the firm for more information on this potential security issue. 

KeyMe founder Greg Marsh told Wired: 'We have all this accountability and data that doesn't exist when you make keys with traditional methods.

'If a key was found to be used maliciously, we have a clear path to find out who was responsible.'

In terms of protecting the keys stored in the cloud, the company said: 'We use commercial grade security to protect your key data.

'Additionally, we do not store any personally identifiable information except for an email address and password.'

But, these security concerns only apply to ordering keys in the post. 

If a key is ordered from a locksmith in person, the user can verify their identity by having the phone, app and another form of physical ID.

Once a key is successfully scanned and stored, users can send their digital keychain to friends, family and housemates over email (illustrated). The owner and recipient can then order duplicates from within the app. Storing keys is free, but the cost depends on the type of key being copied, with prices starting at $10 (£6)

Alternatively, photos can be used by physical locksmiths to create copies. To order a key from a locksmith, the app produces a code (pictured) that the locksmith can use to create the duplicate. This code reveals the type of key, as well as its 'biting' code, which gives details about the shape and cut of the key

In an emergency, users can additionally print keys from KeyMe kiosks (pictured)

Equally, the app asks for a fingerprint to be used when printing a key from a physical kiosk.

To order a key from a locksmith, the app produces a code that the locksmith can use to create the duplicate. 

This code reveals the type of key, as well as its 'biting' code, which gives details about the shape and cut of the key.

Once a key is successfully scanned and stored, users can send their digital keychain to friends, family and housemates over email, using the app's 'Share' button. 

KeyMe sends an email confirmation when the recipient has accepted the key, but shared keys can't be deactivated.

The owner and recipient can then order duplicates from within the app.

Storing keys is free, but the cost of ordering duplicates depends on the type of key being copied. 

As an example, a basic version starts at $10 (£6).

Postal orders take up to five business days to arrive, but the service also offers 3D printed keys with various designs, and these take up to five weeks to arrive.