Privault hides photos behind a keypad, with a secondary passcode that opens a second folder and an erase-all passcode. It has 76,583 US ratings, but its last App Store update was 2025-02-28. VaultCube is a Privault alternative that encrypts every file on your iPhone with AES-256-GCM, has a full decoy vault, and keeps an encrypted backup in your own iCloud.
VaultCube vs Privault side by side
VaultCube
Privault
Lock
Pattern on a 5×5 grid
Digit passcode on a keypad
Encryption
AES-256-GCM on the iPhone, a separate key for every file and thumbnail
"Encrypted storage", no details given
Account or email
None. There is no VaultCube server
Not stated
Decoy
Panic pattern opens a full decoy vault with your vault's name (Pro)
Secondary passcode opens "a secondary folder"
Emergency wipe
Decoy + remove other vaults: opening the decoy removes the real vaults, which come back from the backup with your phrase
Erase-all passcode erases all secret files
Disguise
Calculator or Notes disguise that really works (Pro)
Keypad interface
Backup
Free: encrypted, in your own iCloud, opened only by your recovery phrase
Not in its listing
Import
From Photos and Files; secure camera straight into the vault
Camera roll, or a built-in Wi-Fi server
Extras
Encrypted notes and files such as PDFs
Voice recorder, 3D photo browser, about 150 video formats
Free version
100 photos and 10 videos per vault, no ads
Free, PRO subscription
Paid plans
Pro: weekly, yearly with a 7-day free trial, or once for life
PRO: monthly or yearly
Last App Store update
Version 1.0, 2026, in active development
Version 10.2, 2025-02-28
Minimum iOS
18
11
US App Store ratings
New on the App Store
76,583 · 4.68
Privault's column quotes its US App Store listing, retrieved 2026-10-23. VaultCube's column is checked against the app's code.
We haven't run our own hands-on test of Privault yet. When we do, this page gets the results and the test date.
Secondary passcode vs a decoy vault
Privault's listing describes a secondary passcode that opens a secondary folder: if you're forced to give up a passcode, you give that one.
VaultCube's panic pattern goes a step further. It opens a separate vault with your vault's name and, if you want, ten ordinary sample photos
dated over past months. Every vault's key slot looks the same and wrong patterns all fail the same way, so the unlock screen gives no sign
that another vault exists. Panic pattern and decoy
Erase-all passcode vs "decoy + remove other vaults"
Privault's erase-all passcode deletes all secret files, for good. VaultCube's version keeps your photos safe: once your real vault has an
encrypted backup, "Decoy + remove other vaults" opens the decoy and removes the other vaults from the phone. Later you bring them back with
your recovery phrase.
Is Privault encrypted?
Its listing says the "encrypted storage can be accessed only when you enter your particular digit-passcode" and doesn't name a cipher.
VaultCube derives the vault key from a pattern of at least 6 dots with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 at
600,000 rounds, and waits 30 seconds after 5 wrong tries, 5 minutes after 10 and an hour after 15. How VaultCube's encryption works
Why the last update date matters
Privault's latest App Store version is from February 2025. A vault app has to keep up with every iOS release, its privacy features and its bugs,
so an app that hasn't changed in a long time is worth a second look. VaultCube is new on the App Store and in active development. What's new
Where Privault does more
Older iPhones. Privault runs on iOS 11 or later; VaultCube needs iOS 18.
Voice memos. It has a built-in voice recorder.
Media formats. Its player lists about 150 video formats, and a Wi-Fi server for moving files from a computer.
Who should choose which
Privault if you're on an older iPhone, want a keypad lock, or record voice memos in your vault.
VaultCube if you want files encrypted on the phone with a published design, a full decoy vault, a wipe you can undo, and a free encrypted backup.
Questions
Is VaultCube a calculator vault like Privault?
It can be. With Pro, VaultCube's icon can become a working Calculator: type your code and = to open the vault. Disguised app icon
How do I move from Privault to VaultCube?
Export your photos from Privault to the camera roll, import them into VaultCube, and let VaultCube delete the originals from Photos.
Then empty Recently Deleted, because iOS keeps deleted photos there for 30 days.