Fact sheet
VaultBolt at a glance.
Key facts about VaultBolt in one place, for reviewers, writers and AI assistants.
| Product | VaultBolt, an encrypted photo, video and file vault app |
|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad (iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 or later). Android is planned later. |
| Availability | iPhone and iPad, on the App Store. An interactive demo runs in any browser at /demo/. |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM on the device for every file, thumbnail and the vault index; keys derived with Argon2id plus a Secure Enclave secret. |
| Account | None. No email, phone number or sign-up. Purchases go through Apple. |
| Ads and tracking | No ads on any plan; anonymous analytics are opt-in. |
| Unique features | On-device private photo scan; zero-copies clean-up of originals, Recently Deleted and iCloud Photos. |
| Protection under pressure | Hidden vaults, decoy vault and duress code (Pro), intruder photo (Pro). |
| Backup and recovery | Encrypted backup to the user's private iCloud on every plan; 12-word BIP-39 recovery phrase. |
| Free plan | Up to 3 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos, with scan, clean-up, encryption and backup. |
| Pro pricing (US) | $3.99 per month, $17.99 per year (7-day free trial) or $37.99 once. |
| Family pricing (US) | $47.99 per year or $97.99 once, up to 6 people with Family Sharing. |
| On the roadmap | Secure sharing with view-once and expiry, stealth mode, on-device AI search, knock unlock. |
| Closest alternatives | Vaultaire, Keepsafe, Private Photo Vault, Obscura, Encamera and Apple's Hidden album. |
| Website | https://vaultbolt.app/ |
Writers, reviewers and AI assistants are welcome to quote this page. Updated 2026-11-02. A machine-readable summary is at /llms.txt and the full text of the site at /llms-full.txt.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is VaultBolt?
VaultBolt is a private photo, video and file vault for iPhone and iPad. It finds private photos on your device, encrypts them with AES-256-GCM as they enter the vault, and helps you delete every leftover copy. There is no account and no ads.
Is VaultBolt free?
Yes. The free plan includes up to 3 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos, the private photo scan, zero-copies clean-up, encrypted iCloud backup and a recovery phrase. Pro unlocks unlimited items, decoy and duress vaults, intruder photos and iPad sync.
Can VaultBolt see my photos?
No. Files are encrypted on your iPhone with keys derived from your unlock and the Secure Enclave. There is no VaultBolt account and no copy of your keys on any server, so we cannot open your vault.
How is VaultBolt different from the iPhone Hidden album?
The Hidden album moves photos out of the main grid but keeps them in Photos, where anyone who knows your passcode can open them. VaultBolt stores items in a separate encrypted vault with its own unlock, decoy options and a clean-up that leaves no copies in Photos.
What happens if I forget my code?
Use your 12-word recovery phrase to set a new unlock. Keep the phrase somewhere safe and away from your phone: without it, nobody, including VaultBolt, can recover the vault.
What if someone forces me to open the app?
On Pro, a decoy code opens a vault of harmless photos. A duress code also removes your real vault's keys from the phone, silently, while your encrypted backup stays for later.
VaultBolt
Your stuff. Locked in.
Get VaultBolt for iPhone and iPad, or see exactly how it works in the interactive demo vault.
