If you've ever locked yourself out of your house or hastily left on a cross-country business trip without leaving a set of keys behind for a loved one, odds are you are all too familiar with how much of a pain in the rear it can be. Having to hire a locksmith to regain entry to your home isn't exactly cheap but fortunately, that inconvenience can now be a thing of the past thanks to KeyMe.

KeyMe is a startup that allows its users to store digital copies of their keys in the cloud. Using the iOS app, users are prompted to take a photo of each side of a key under the guidance of the app. When you need to make a copy, you can order one directly from the company starting at $4.99 and it will arrive within 2-3 business days.

Alternately, you can take the images to any key maker and by following the instructions on the app, they should be able to create a functional replacement for you. Another scenario could see you send a digital copy of your key to someone else that is also using the app. That way, they could create a key to your home in the event you are out of town or aren't able to get off work when they arrive. Should you happen to live in or around New York City, the company has multiple kiosk locations that can carve up replacement key on the spot.

Key images are stored securely in the cloud using advanced levels of encryption and password protection. What's more, sensitive information like your address isn't stored on KeyMe's end. That data is temporarily used when you place an order for a replacement and is then discarded, we're told.

The app itself is available free of charge but you'll need to shell out $9.99 for access to duplication instructions should you need them.