Kryptis vs PV

PV covers the lock basics and adds a custom icon and a facedown switch. Encryption is mentioned but not named, recovery runs through an email address, and cloud sync is a paid membership on the developer's service.

Haibin Jiao · 4.7 from 30K ratings on the App Store · Checked September 6, 2026

About PV

PV locks photos and videos behind a passcode or Face ID, with a fake password, a custom app icon, an emergency switch and cloud sync on paid memberships.

8: missing from PV
4: in part
4: both have

Feature by feature

Checked September 6, 2026	Kryptis	PV
Encryption and privacy
Encryption named	Yes. AES-256-GCM on the device, media and metadata	In part. "Data encryption", algorithm not named
Works without an account	Yes. No sign-up, no server	In part. Recovery email optional; cloud needs a membership
Lock and deniability
Decoy vault behind a second passcode	Yes. A separate vault with its own albums	Yes. Fake password
Self-destruct passcode	Yes. A third passcode erases the vault	No.
Intruder alerts	Yes. Failed unlocks are recorded	No.
Facedown lock	Yes. Locks and shows an app you choose	Yes. Emergency Switch jumps to another app
Disguised app icon	Yes. Calculator, Calendar, Clock and more	Yes. Customise the app icon
Capture and import
Private camera	Yes. Photos and video straight into the vault	No.
Face blur while shooting	Yes. Built into the camera	No.
Download from a link	Yes. Public photos, videos and streams	No.
Transfer from a computer	Yes. Local Wi-Fi, nothing through a server	Yes. Wi-Fi Transfer on Pro, Nearby Drop
Backup and recovery
Encrypted backup in your own iCloud	Yes. Encrypted before it leaves the phone	In part. Cloud Sync for Super members; third-party cloud for Pro
Recovery key you hold	Yes. BIP39 recovery phrase, no company copy	In part. Recovery email
More inside
Burner email	Yes. Addresses that expire after 24 hours	No.
Private contacts	Yes. Encrypted, separate from the address book	No.
Sub-albums	Yes. Albums inside albums	No.

What Kryptis adds

Encryption named. AES-256-GCM on the device, media and metadataPV lists: "Data encryption", algorithm not named
Works without an account. No sign-up, no serverPV lists: Recovery email optional; cloud needs a membership
Self-destruct passcode. A third passcode erases the vault
Intruder alerts. Failed unlocks are recorded
Private camera. Photos and video straight into the vault
Face blur while shooting. Built into the camera
Download from a link. Public photos, videos and streams
Encrypted backup in your own iCloud. Encrypted before it leaves the phonePV lists: Cloud Sync for Super members; third-party cloud for Pro
Recovery key you hold. BIP39 recovery phrase, no company copyPV lists: Recovery email
Burner email. Addresses that expire after 24 hours
Private contacts. Encrypted, separate from the address book
Sub-albums. Albums inside albums

What PV leads with

Fake password and Emergency Switch when the phone faces down
Customisable app icon
Nearby Drop and Wi-Fi Transfer between devices
Tags, notes, search and a photo editor

Frequently asked questions

Does PV encrypt photos on the device?

PV lists something close: "Data encryption", algorithm not named. Kryptis encrypts every file and its metadata with AES-256-GCM on the iPhone before it is stored.

Does PV have a decoy vault?

PV lists it (Fake 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 PV?

PV's listing does not mention it. 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 PV?

PV lists something close: Recovery email. 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

Other comparisons

Competitor columns reflect what each developer publishes on the App Store (US) or their own website, checked September 6, 2026. A check means the developer lists the feature, a phrase means the listing describes something close, and an X means the feature does not appear in those sources. Kryptis features are as shipped in the app. App names, icons and marks belong to their owners.

PV sources: App Store listing (listed as "PV - Secret Photo Album").