Questions
FAQ
Short answers about Vault9.
Privacy
Can you see my photos?
No. We never receive your photos or your keys. There is no Vault9 account and there are no Vault9 servers.
Does my iPhone passcode open the vault?
No. Your own pattern or passphrase opens the vault, together with the Secret Key on your iPhone. Face ID is optional and off by default.
Why not the Hidden album?
The Hidden album opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode. Vault9 needs your own pattern and a Secret Key.
Is the vault in my iPhone backup?
No. The app keeps the vault out of the iPhone backup and out of Quick Start. The vault has its own iCloud backup, which does not contain the Secret Key.
Does the app remove the location from my photos?
No. The vault keeps the file that iOS gives to the app, encrypted. An export gives the same file. A photo from the camera in the app holds no location.
Pattern, kit and recovery
What if I forget my pattern?
Read it from your Emergency Kit, if you wrote it there. If you did not, nobody can reset it, not even us.
What is the Emergency Kit?
One page that the app makes on your iPhone. It has your Secret Key and an empty field where you write your pattern by hand. Keep it like a passport.
What if I lose my iPhone?
On a new iPhone, open the vault from the iCloud backup. Scan your Emergency Kit once, then enter your pattern.
Pattern or passphrase?
You choose one. A pattern is a line through at least 8 dots on a 6 × 6 grid. A passphrase has at least 12 characters. A long passphrase is stronger. You can switch later in Settings.
Using the app
What can I keep in the vault?
Photos and videos from the Photos app, files of any type from the Files app, and captures from the camera in the app.
Does the app delete the originals in Photos?
No. The app never deletes or changes anything in Photos. Delete the originals yourself, then empty Recently Deleted.
Can I take my photos out again?
Yes. You export them to the iOS share sheet.
Does it work on iPad or Mac?
No. Vault9 is for iPhone only, with iOS 26 or later. There is no sync between devices.
What if the developer stops?
The app still works on your iPhone, because it needs no Vault9 servers. You can export your photos at any time.
More help
A problem with the app? Support has the steps and our email.
