VaultBolt vs PV Secret Photo Album
VaultBolt vs PV Secret Photo Album
An honest look at where PV Secret Photo Album shines and where VaultBolt is different, using PV Secret Photo Album's own App Store listing.
Feature comparison
VaultBolt next to PV Secret Photo Album, with Vaultaire and Keepsafe for context.
| Feature | VaultBoltiPhone & iPad | PV Secret Photo Album★ 4.7 · 30,293 ratings | Vaultaire★ 4.7 · 55 ratings | Keepsafe★ 4.8 · 385,432 ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File encryption describedWhat the listing says about how files are protected | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM, on device | ~Partly: "Data encryption", no detail | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM | ~Partly: "Military-grade", no detail |
| Works without an accountNo email or sign-up to use the vault | ✓Yes: No account, ever | ~Partly: Recovery email | ✓Yes: No account | ~Partly: Sync across installs |
| No adsOn the free tier | ✓Yes: Never | ✕No: Ad-free is paid | ✓Yes: No ads | ✕No: Basic is ad supported |
| Finds private photos for youOn-device scan of your camera roll | ✓Yes: On-device, offline | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import |
| Removes the originalsDeletes camera-roll copies and guides Recently Deleted | ✓Yes: Zero-copies clean-up | ✓Yes: Auto-delete from library | ~Partly: Original clean-up after import | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Decoy vault or fake PINA second code that opens harmless content | ✓Yes: Pro | ✓Yes: Fake password | ✓Yes: Separate patterns | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Duress or emergency-erase codeA code that removes access under pressure | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Intruder photoSnaps whoever enters a wrong code | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Encrypted cloud backupWhere backups go and whether they are encrypted first | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud, all plans | ~Partly: Paid cloud sync | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud | ✓Yes: Private Cloud (Keepsafe) |
| Recovery phraseA way back in that does not depend on the developer | ✓Yes: 12-word phrase | ~Partly: Recovery email | ✓Yes: Nine-word phrase | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Face ID / Touch ID | ✓Yes: Optional | ✓Yes: Touch / Face ID | ✕No: Pattern only, by design | ✓Yes: Touch ID |
| Pattern unlock | ✓Yes: Plus PIN and passphrase | ?Not listed: Passcode | ✓Yes: 5×5 pattern | ?Not listed: PIN pad |
| iPhone and iPad | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ✓Yes: iPhone and iPad | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ✓Yes: Phone and tablet |
| One-time purchase optionPay once instead of subscribing | ✓Yes: $37.99 once | ~Partly: One-time payment offered | ✓Yes: $39.99 | ?Not listed: Subscription |
| Controlled sharingExpiry, open limits or view-once | ◷On the roadmap: View-once, expiry | ~Partly: Nearby Drop | ✓Yes: Shared vaults | ✓Yes: Safe Send, time-limited |
Competitor details from each app's US App Store listing, checked 2026-11-01. "Not listed" means the listing does not mention it, not that the feature is missing. VaultBolt items marked ◷ are on the roadmap.
Where PV Secret Photo Album is strong
- Deletes originals from the library after import
- Fake password and an emergency switch when the phone faces down
- Nearby transfer between phones
Where VaultBolt is different
- VaultBolt never shows ads
- VaultBolt documents per-file AES-256-GCM encryption and keeps keys on your devices
- VaultBolt finds private photos for you instead of a manual pick
- VaultBolt's recovery phrase does not depend on an email address
Switching
Switching from PV Secret Photo Album to VaultBolt
Takes about ten minutes for a typical library. Keep your old app until everything opens in VaultBolt.
- In PV Secret Photo Album, export the items you want to keep to Photos or Files.
- Install VaultBolt, set your unlock and write down your recovery phrase.
- Import from Photos or Files, or let the private photo scan find them.
- Run the zero-copies clean-up to delete the exported originals and empty Recently Deleted.
- Once everything opens in VaultBolt, remove PV Secret Photo Album from your phone.
Sources: PV - Secret Photo Album on the App Store. Checked 2026-11-01. Ratings and features change; check the listing before you decide.
FAQ
VaultBolt vs PV Secret Photo Album: FAQ
Is VaultBolt a PV alternative without ads?
Yes. VaultBolt never shows ads, needs no email and encrypts every file on the device.
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VaultBolt
Your stuff. Locked in.
Get VaultBolt for iPhone and iPad, or see exactly how it works in the interactive demo vault.
