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Private Photo Vault®
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YOUR PRIVACY STARTS HERE

Made for iPhone & AndroidDownload the app Watch tutorials

A GUIDE FROM PRIVATE PHOTO VAULT®

How to Choose a Photo Vault App

Check how it protects your photos—and how you’ll keep access to them.

These six checks cover privacy, storage, recovery and long-term support, with a clear explanation of what our app offers.

Read the six checks
A separate lock for private photos
Your phonePhone unlocked
Private Photo Vault®Vault stays locked
Choose a vault code that is different from your phone’s. Illustration, not an app screenshot.

Choose a different passcode from your phone

A partner, family member or friend may know your phone’s passcode or have their face enrolled in Face ID. You may be comfortable letting them use your phone while still wanting some photos and videos to stay private.

Two everyday situations to consider

  • They know your phone’s code.

    If your hidden photos accept the same device passcode, that person may be able to open them too. A different vault code creates a separate access requirement.

  • They can unlock with Face ID.

    If their face is enrolled on your phone, a vault that accepts Face ID alone may let them in. Having a separate PIN only helps in this situation if the vault also requires it.

In Private Photo Vault®

Choose a vault PIN, password or pattern that is different from your phone’s code and keep it to yourself. On supported Apple devices, enable the option to require Face ID AND your vault PIN. Both are then needed; Face ID access alone is not enough.

See access controls

Lock your vault before handing over your phone. Its lock protects files inside the vault; copies left in Photos or other apps need to be managed separately.

Check who can see your files

Ask how files are encrypted on your phone and in the cloud—and whether the provider can decrypt them.

In Private Photo Vault®

Local files use AES encryption. Cloud Vault encrypts files on your device using your key before upload. Our team cannot view your vault’s photos or videos.

How encryption works

Know where your photos will be stored

Check whether the app works offline, requires an account or uploads your files. You should understand the choice before importing.

In Private Photo Vault®

Store files on your phone with no account, offline by default. Cloud Vault is optional premium backup and sync; it requires an account and internet for those functions.

Explore Cloud Vault

Plan for a lost or replaced phone

A locked file on your phone is not a separate backup. Check how to back up, restore and recover access if you forget a password.

In Private Photo Vault®

Cloud Vault backs up and syncs between iPhone and Android. Enable it, let the backup finish and keep your Cloud Vault password safe. Our team cannot recover that password.

Understand recovery options

Look for a history of updates and support

If an app stops being maintained, future phone or system changes can make your library inaccessible. Check recent updates and how to reach the team.

In Private Photo Vault®

Private Photo Vault® has protected photos since 2011, with hundreds of updates, continued improvements and customer support.

View our app update history
Since 2011Protecting private photos
Hundreds of updatesContinued improvements
Ongoing supportContact our team

Make sure you can take your photos out

Test exporting before moving your whole library. You should be able to open your files outside the vault when you choose to.

In Private Photo Vault®

Export photos and videos from the app. WiFi Transfer also lets you upload and download files through a computer’s browser.

Watch the export tutorial

Features vary by platform, device and plan. Cloud Vault is optional premium. Check current in-app options before choosing.

THE BUILT-IN OPTION

Is Apple’s Hidden album enough?

It’s free and locked by default on current iOS. A dedicated vault offers more control if you want a different passcode, private albums or iPhone and Android support.

A separate passcode

Hidden uses device authentication, including Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode. Someone who can use that authentication may also be able to open Hidden. Private Photo Vault® lets you choose a different vault code and, on supported Apple devices, require Face ID plus your PIN.

Albums inside your vault

Apple moves hidden photos out of other albums into one Hidden collection. Private Photo Vault® offers private albums, sub-albums and individual album passwords.

iPhone & Android sync

Hidden is part of Apple Photos. Optional premium Cloud Vault syncs your private files between the iPhone and Android apps.

Compare with Apple’s Hidden album

BEFORE IMPORTING YOUR LIBRARY

Try it with a few files first

  1. Import and open

    Check a few photos and a video in the vault before removing any originals.

  2. Export and verify

    Open an exported file outside the app. Keep exported private files somewhere protected.

  3. Check your backup

    If you use Cloud Vault, finish the upload and verify access on another device before retiring the old one.

Follow the tutorials

Support & recovery questions

What if I forget my password?

A configured recovery email may help with your app passcode. Your Cloud Vault password is separate and cannot be recovered by our team. Missing-file recovery depends on an existing backup. Read the recovery guidance.

YOUR PHOTOS. YOUR PRIVACY.

Lock your photos & videos.

Free to download for iPhone and Android.

Get the app Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play