Kryptis vs Private Photo Vault

Private Photo Vault offers decoy access and break-in reports. Its FAQ names AES-256 without specifying the mode. Kryptis uses AES-256-GCM with tamper detection and a recovery phrase you hold.

Legendary Software Labs LLC · 4.8 from 1M ratings on the App Store · Checked September 6, 2026

About Private Photo Vault

Private Photo Vault has been on the App Store since 2011 and leads with a decoy password, break-in reports and a private browser.

8: not documented by Private Photo Vault
2: in part
6: documented by both

Feature by feature

Checked September 6, 2026	Kryptis	Private Photo Vault
Encryption and privacy
AES-256-GCM documented	Yes. AES-256-GCM on the device, with tamper detection for media and metadata	In part. AES-256; mode not specified in the reviewed FAQ
Works without an account	Yes. No sign-up for the local vault	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Lock and deniability
Decoy vault behind a second passcode	Yes. A separate vault with its own albums	Yes. Decoy Password
Self-destruct passcode	Yes. A third passcode erases the vault	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Intruder alerts	Yes. Failed unlocks are recorded	Yes. Photo and GPS
Facedown lock	Yes. Locks and shows an app you choose	Yes.
Disguised app icon	Yes. Calculator, Calendar, Clock and more	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Capture and import
Private camera	Yes. Photos and video straight into the vault	Yes.
Face blur while shooting	Yes. Built into the camera	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Download from a link	Yes. Public photos, videos and streams	Yes. Private browser downloads photos
Transfer from a computer	Yes. Local Wi-Fi, nothing through a server	Yes. Wireless Photo Transfer
Backup and recovery
Encrypted backup in your own iCloud	Yes. Encrypted before it leaves the phone	In part. Cloud Vault on the developer's cloud
Recovery key you hold	Yes. BIP39 recovery phrase, no company copy	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
More inside
Burner email	Yes. Addresses that expire after 24 hours	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Private contacts	Yes. Encrypted, separate from the address book	Not documented in the reviewed sources.
Sub-albums	Yes. Albums inside albums	Not documented in the reviewed sources.

Differences in the published features

AES-256-GCM documented. AES-256-GCM on the device, with tamper detection for media and metadataPrivate Photo Vault lists: AES-256; mode not specified in the reviewed FAQ
Works without an account. No sign-up for the local vault
Self-destruct passcode. A third passcode erases the vault
Disguised app icon. Calculator, Calendar, Clock and more
Face blur while shooting. Built into the camera
Encrypted backup in your own iCloud. Encrypted before it leaves the phonePrivate Photo Vault lists: Cloud Vault on the developer's cloud
Recovery key you hold. BIP39 recovery phrase, no company copy
Burner email. Addresses that expire after 24 hours
Private contacts. Encrypted, separate from the address book
Sub-albums. Albums inside albums

What Private Photo Vault leads with

Break-in Report with a photo and GPS location
Decoy Password and Face Down Lock
Password-protected albums
Private web browser and wireless photo transfer

Frequently asked questions

What encryption does Private Photo Vault document?

Private Photo Vault documents: AES-256; mode not specified in the reviewed FAQ. Kryptis encrypts every file and its metadata with AES-256-GCM on the iPhone before it is stored.

Does Private Photo Vault have a decoy vault?

Private Photo Vault lists it (Decoy Password). In Kryptis a second passcode opens a separate vault with its own albums, and a third passcode erases everything.

Can I download videos from a link in Private Photo Vault?

Private Photo Vault lists it (Private browser downloads photos). Kryptis downloads public photos, videos and streams from a pasted link straight into the encrypted vault, without touching the camera roll.

What happens if I forget my passcode in Private Photo Vault?

Private Photo Vault's listing does not mention it. Kryptis gives you a BIP39 recovery phrase when you set up the vault. It is the only way back in, and no one else holds a copy.

Read further

Kryptis is on its way to the App Store.

Coming soon to theApp Store

Privacy

Other comparisons

Published by Tuvo Labs, the maker of Kryptis. This comparison describes public documentation, not an independent security audit. Listings were checked September 6, 2026; later checks are noted below. A check means the feature is documented, a phrase gives the documented details, and an X means it was not found in the reviewed sources. An X does not prove that a feature is absent. Kryptis is coming soon. App names, icons and marks belong to their owners.

Private Photo Vault sources: App Store listing, Developer security FAQ (listed as "Private Photo Vault - Pic Safe"). Encryption documentation rechecked September 26, 2026. Other fields retain the September 6 listing snapshot.