Kryptis Private Vault

Scenarios

I handed my phone over to show one photo and they swiped into my private ones

One photo in Photos is one swipe from the next. The safe way to show something is from a place where the next swipe is not private: a vault that locks when you turn the phone over, or a decoy that only holds what you are happy to show.

Updated September 6, 2026 · 2 min read

The direct answer

Do not show private material from Photos. Keep it in a vault, and when you need to show someone one thing, either share the single item out, or show it from a Decoy Vault that only holds shareable things. Turn on Facedown Lock so taking the phone back and turning it over closes the vault.

Why it happens

Photos is designed to be swiped. There is no way to hand over a single image without handing over the gallery around it. The Hidden album helps only if everything private is in it and it is not open at the time.

What to do now

  1. Move private items into Kryptis and delete the originals, including Recently Deleted.
  2. For things you want to show, use Share on the item to send it, or AirDrop it, rather than passing the phone.
  3. Set up a Decoy Vault with the albums you are happy to show, and open that one when a phone has to change hands.
  4. Turn on Facedown Lock. Placing the phone face down locks the vault, and can switch to another app.
  5. Set Auto-Lock short.

What not to rely on

The Hidden album for things you show often, because you will end up unhiding them. A disguised icon, which does nothing once the app is open. Good luck.

What Kryptis covers

A vault with its own passcode, a second vault for showing, a facedown lock for taking the phone back, and Intruder Alerts if someone tries a code while they have it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show one photo on iPhone without letting someone swipe?

Not from Photos. Share the single item, or show it from a vault that only contains what you are willing to show.

Kryptis app icon

Kryptis is on its way to the App Store.

Coming soon to theApp Store

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