Before the recommendations
We are Tuvo Labs, the developer of Kryptis. This is a comparison of public documentation, not independent testing or a security audit. Kryptis is awaiting App Store release. We do not treat an omitted feature in a competitor’s listing as proof that it does not exist.
Start with the job you need done
| Your priority | Start here | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| Keep a photo out of the main Photos library | Apple’s Hidden album | Device access and iCloud Photos settings |
| A vault with private cloud backup | Keepsafe | Storage limits, account recovery and which features need Premium |
| Decoy access and break-in reports | Private Photo Vault | Local password recovery versus Cloud Vault recovery |
| Explore Kryptis before launch | Kryptis features and waitlist | Availability, backup responsibilities and recovery phrase storage |
No single label proves that a vault fits every situation. Decide whether your concern is casual viewing, someone who knows your device passcode, loss of the phone, or access to a cloud account. Then check how the app handles that case.
Apple’s Hidden album: the built-in starting point
Apple documents a locked Hidden album and optional hiding of the album itself. Hidden items also remain part of iCloud Photos when that service is enabled. It is useful when your main goal is keeping pictures out of the ordinary library without adding another app. Read Apple’s Hidden album instructions and our iPhone hiding guide.
Keepsafe: check the cloud workflow
Keepsafe’s product documentation names AES-256 for on-device storage and private backup without specifying the mode. Its free and Premium plans have different storage limits. If cloud backup matters to you, check account recovery, deletion and renewal terms before importing your only copy. See Kryptis and Keepsafe compared.
Private Photo Vault: distinguish the two passwords
Private Photo Vault’s FAQ names AES-256 without specifying the mode and separates app-password recovery from Cloud Vault password recovery. That distinction matters when planning for a lost phone or forgotten password. Its published features include decoy access and break-in reports. See the Private Photo Vault comparison.
Kryptis: an upcoming option
Kryptis is coming soon. Its vault uses AES-256-GCM to encrypt media and metadata and detect tampering. AES-256 names the cipher and key size; GCM identifies the authenticated encryption mode. Kryptis also provides a recovery phrase during setup. Read our encryption description, backup guide and privacy policy before deciding whether it fits your needs. Optional network features have separate data flows described in that policy; “no account” should not be read as “no network activity.”
Join the launch waitlist on the homepage if you want to try it when it is available. We are not presenting an unreleased app as a product you can download today.
Questions to answer before importing your photos
- What is encrypted? Look for separate explanations of on-device files, backups, keys and recovery. A named algorithm is useful documentation, not independent proof of a secure implementation.
- Where does a backup go? Check whether it uses the developer’s service, your own storage, or only a device backup. Check what happens when a subscription ends.
- What happens if you forget the code? Keep recovery instructions somewhere outside the vault. Do not test recovery on your only copy of a photo.
- What leaves the phone? Read both the privacy policy and the App Store disclosure, including optional features. A local vault and a network service can exist in the same app.
- What happens to the originals? Importing does not necessarily remove the original from Photos, synced devices or Recently Deleted. Check each location deliberately.
For more options, use the comparison table. For a closer look at these questions, read how to assess a photo vault’s security.
Sources and scope
Apple’s Hidden album instructions, Keepsafe’s product documentation and Private Photo Vault’s FAQ were checked September 26, 2026. We have omitted price and rating rankings here because they change and do not establish security. Developer documentation describes claims; verifying an implementation requires testing beyond this guide.
