Photo vault apps can look alike and protect your files very differently. Here are nine options for iPhone, compared on encryption, accounts, storage and the private spaces they let you create.
Photo vaults in 2026: what actually matters?
For most people, the locked album on an iPhone seems like an extra layer of security. But is it? Anyone seeking actual protection and encryption of photos or data must look elsewhere.
Thankfully, there are many apps and companies thinking hard about this. But which one can you trust? Some are not even encrypted, some handle only pictures, some are vibe-coded. Some connect to ad servers and track you, which is not something you want out of a secure app. These apps have different views of how your data should be protected:
Photo lockers
Put an album behind a code. Some encrypt its contents too; a lock screen alone does not tell you.
Cloud-backed vaults
Add backup or access on other devices. Check whether the backup belongs to the developer or your own cloud account.
On-device encrypted vaults
Protect files locally. Some also offer independent vaults, a decoy and space for documents and notes.
We made a list based on the highest possible requirements for securing your photos, videos or files. We judge apps by the encryption they offer, whether they are truly local to your phone or need some external server, and whether they offer a full stack of features to help you secure your data.
Published by Sealby. We compare our app alongside other options using developer documentation and App Store listings, not hands-on security tests.
Available Unsupported or not advertised− Limited support? Unverified · not scored
Published-feature score, out of 10: tick = 1 point, cross = 0, dash = 0.33. Points ÷ checks scored × 10. A question mark is only for a check we could not assess; it is excluded. Equal scores share a rank. These are checklist scores—not security ratings or App Store reviews.
Keep private photos, videos, documents and rich-text notes together. Each vault has its own code, with no app account, ads or tracking.
EncryptionStored files encrypted
No account neededNo signup for local use
No developer cloud storageLocal; your own cloud optional
Multiple locked vaultsUnlimited, each independently locked
Decoy vaultFree; duress is paid
Photos, videos, files & foldersAll four supported
Create & edit notesWrite and search private notes
No adsFree and paid versions
Free: unlimited vaults, up to 20 items per vault, including up to 5 videos. Keep your recovery phrase safe: there is no email reset.
8.8/ 108 of 8 checks scored
2. LockMyPix
Local encrypted storage for photos, videos, documents and notes, with folders and subfolders. Premium adds a separately opened Fake Vault and removes ads.
EncryptionStored files encrypted
No account neededNo signup for local use
No developer cloud storageLocal; your own cloud optional
Multiple locked vaultsMain + paid decoy
Decoy vaultPaid feature
Photos, videos, files & foldersAll four supported
Create & edit notesBuilt-in written notes
Ads in free versionPaid ad removal available
Free download with ads and paid Premium. The US listing names a one-year Premium offer; other offers and regional prices may differ.
An encrypted photo and video locker with account-free local use and a decoy. Optional Cloud Vault uses provider servers; general files and text storage are not confirmed.
EncryptionStored files encrypted
No account neededCloud account optional
−Optional developer cloudLocal storage also available
Multiple locked vaultsMain + decoy
Decoy vaultTier not specified
−Limited file supportGeneral documents not confirmed
Notes not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Ads in free versionPaid ad removal available
Free Basic tier; optional paid Premium Cloud Vault. US purchase labels do not consistently identify billing periods, so confirm the plan in the app.
Requires an email account. The free app has ads; a decoy gallery costs extra. Keepsafe encrypts your files, but its optional cloud backup uses developer-operated storage.
EncryptionStored files encrypted
Account requiredEmail registration required
−Optional developer cloudLocal storage also available
Multiple locked vaultsMain + paid decoy
Decoy vaultPaid feature
Photos, videos, files & foldersAll four supported
Notes not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Ads in free versionPaid ad removal available
Free Basic tier; paid Premium adds decoy, album locks, more cloud capacity and ad removal. Monthly and yearly subscriptions are available.
A free part of Photos that hides photos and videos from the main library. Unlock uses Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode, not a separate vault code.
EncryptioniOS system encryption
No account neededNo signup for local use
No developer cloud storageLocal; your own cloud optional
Only one private spaceOne Hidden album
No decoy vaultNo alternate unlock
−Limited file supportPhotos and videos only
No built-in notesPhotos and videos only
No adsFree and paid versions
Included with Photos at no extra charge. Optional iCloud storage beyond the included allowance is sold separately.
Advertises encrypted storage and separate primary and decoy passcodes, but has ads. Photos, videos and audio are documented; general documents and a written-note editor are not advertised.
EncryptionDeveloper claims encrypted storage
Account-free use not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Server-free storage not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Multiple locked vaultsMain + decoy
Decoy vaultTier not specified
−Limited file supportGeneral documents not confirmed
Notes not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Ads in free versionPaid ad removal available
Free download with Pro subscriptions, a permanent Pro purchase and a separate ad-removal purchase in the US listing.
Advertises encrypted photos and videos, a decoy PIN and album PINs. Premium adds provider-hosted cloud storage. Advertising is disclosed; a written-note editor is not advertised.
EncryptionDeveloper claims encrypted storage
Account-free use not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
−Optional developer cloudLocal storage also available
−Album PINsAlbum PINs; vaults unconfirmed
Decoy vaultTier not specified
−Limited file supportGeneral documents not confirmed
Notes not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Advertising disclosedDisclosed in app privacy policy
Free download with paid subscriptions. Premium includes cloud storage; US purchase labels do not reliably identify each offer’s billing period.
A photo and video locker with ads. The developer says files stay on your device, but does not explain their encryption. Separate decoy vaults and a note editor are not confirmed.
Encryption not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Account-free use not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
No developer cloud storageDevice storage only
Separate vaults not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Decoy vault not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
−Limited file supportGeneral documents not confirmed
−Limited text storagePassword and contact records
Ads in free versionAdvertising disclosed
Free download with paid subscriptions. The developer lists weekly, monthly and yearly options; the current US purchase labels do not reliably map prices to periods.
Photo and video folders with notes, but ads in the free app. Encryption and separate vaults are not documented. Its fake-video screen is not a separately unlocked decoy vault.
Encryption not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Account-free use not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Server-free storage not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
Separate vaults not advertisedNo claim in checked sources
−Fake screen, not a vaultFake-video screen only
−Limited file supportGeneral documents not confirmed
Create & edit notesBuilt-in written notes
Ads in free versionPaid ad removal available
Free download. The US listing offers yearly Premium and separate purchases, including ad removal.
Based on developer documentation and App Store listings, not a laboratory security test. Sources and check dates are listed on each linked comparison. Privacy labels are developer-reported; features and paid plans can change.
Choosing a photo vault app
Is there a free photo vault app with no ads?
Yes. You can create unlimited vaults, each with its own PIN. Sealby is free up to 20 items per vault (including at most 5 videos), with no ads and no tracking; Premium pays for it. Many free vault apps show ads or include tracking code, so check the App Store privacy label before you trust one with private photos.
Are photo vault apps safe?
Look for documented encryption, clear key ownership, a usable recovery and backup process, and an honest privacy label. Compare accounts, ads and paid limits with your needs. A cloud service can keep content private with end-to-end encryption; a screen lock or missing documentation alone does not establish how stored files are protected.
Do photo vault apps delete the original photos?
Importing usually creates a separate copy. First check that the imported photos and videos open correctly, and keep a usable backup. If you want to remove the originals from Photos, delete them there and from Recently Deleted too.
Is there a photo vault with a one-time payment?
Yes. Sealby Premium offers a one-time lifetime purchase as well as monthly and yearly plans. Privault also lists one-time options. Check the current offer in your region before buying.
What is a decoy or fake PIN?
A second code that opens harmless content instead of your private photos. Several apps offer a decoy; some require a paid plan. In Sealby, each code opens its own vault, with no vault list in the interface. A decoy is not a guarantee against discovery or coercion.