"Private vault app" gets used loosely, so it's worth being precise about what it actually means: an app whose specific job is to take files you choose — photos, videos, documents, anything else — and store them encrypted, in a location other apps can't read, behind a PIN or biometric unlock.

How it's different from a hidden folder

A hidden folder (one prefixed with a dot, or tucked away somewhere non-obvious) relies entirely on nobody finding it. The file inside is completely unprotected — open in any file manager, readable by any app with storage permissions. A vault app instead encrypts the file itself. Even if someone locates where vault data is stored on your device, the file isn't readable without the decryption key, which is derived from your PIN.

The three things a real vault app should do

  • Encrypt on import, not just relocate. The file's actual bytes should be encrypted, not just moved to a different path.
  • Remove the original from shared storage. Otherwise you end up with two copies — one protected, one not.
  • Require authentication every time. A PIN or biometric check on each unlock, not a one-time setup that then leaves the vault open indefinitely.

Lockilee's Private Vault is built around exactly these three points, covering photos, videos, documents and other files in one encrypted space, organized into folders.

What to actually check before choosing one

Not all vault apps handle your data the same way. Worth confirming before you commit to one:

  • Does it upload anything to a server, or does everything stay on-device?
  • What data does the app's backend actually store — just account info, or something more?
  • Does it support biometric unlock in addition to a PIN?
  • Can specific folders inside the vault have their own separate lock?
On Lockilee specifically: the backend only ever stores your email, registered devices, and subscription status. Your files never reach the server — see the full breakdown on the Lockilee page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a private vault app the same as a password manager?

No. A password manager stores login credentials. A private vault app stores and encrypts files — photos, videos, documents — not passwords.

Do vault apps upload files to the cloud?

It depends on the app. Some sync vault content to a server for backup. Lockilee specifically does not — files stay encrypted on your device only.

Can a vault app protect apps as well as files?

Some vault apps bundle app-locking as a separate feature alongside file encryption. Lockilee does this with its Private Vault and App Lock together.

See Lockilee's vault in action

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