Hidewell Vault vs iPhone app lock
Since iOS 18 you can lock the Photos app behind Face ID or Touch ID. Your phone's passcode opens it too, and the lock applies only on that iPhone.
iPhone app lock details as of October 2026, from public pages and store listings by Apple (sources below). Official page: iPhone app lock
Side by side
Feature comparison
Hidewell Vault Winner
9 
iPhone app lock - Ahead:
- Behind:
- Even:
- Not comparable:
| Hidewell Vault |  iPhone app lock | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Ahead: Android now. iPhone and iPad coming soon | |
| Account required | Even: No. No account, no email | Even: No account needed [1] |
| Encryption of stored files | Ahead: AES-256-GCM in 1 MiB segments under a random 256-bit master key | Behind: No extra encryption documented. Locking is an access check [1] |
| How the unlock secret becomes a key | Ahead: Pattern plus a secret in your phone's security chip (Secure Enclave or StrongBox), then Argon2id | Behind: No key of its own. It reuses your phone's Face ID, Touch ID or passcode [1] |
| Unlock methods | Ahead: Pattern only, run through your phone's security chip. No biometric shortcut, by design | Behind: Face ID, Touch ID or your phone's passcode. Anyone who knows the passcode can open it [1] |
| Multiple or decoy vaults | Ahead: Each pattern opens its own vault, with no vault list. Duress pattern opens a decoy (Pro) | Behind: None. Photos can be locked but not hidden [3] |
| Backup | Ahead: Encrypted on your phone, stored in your own iCloud Drive or Google Drive, keyed from a 12-word recovery phrase | Behind: Unchanged iCloud Photos. Apple holds the keys unless you turn on Advanced Data Protection [4] |
| Sync between devices | Not comparable: No. Encrypted sync is on the roadmap | Not comparable: The lock applies only to that device and doesn't sync with iCloud [1] |
| Tracking and analytics | Ahead: None. No analytics and no connection to our servers | Behind: App Store label for Photos lists identifiers linked to you, used for analytics [5] |
| Ads | Not comparable: None, on any plan | Not comparable: Not documented |
| In-app camera | Ahead: Yes. Photos and video encrypted as you shoot (Pro) | Behind: Camera is one of the apps that can't be locked [3] |
| Source code | Ahead: Open-source crypto core. Anyone can inspect and audit it | Behind: Not documented |
| Pricing | Behind: Free (1 vault, 150 photos, 15 videos). Pro $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $44.99 once | Ahead: Free, built into iOS 18 and later [2] |
“Not documented” means we couldn't find it in the public documentation for iPhone app lock, and on non-security rows we don't count it against them. Unpublished security details count as behind, because they can't be verified. Ahead and behind are our reading of the cited facts. Competitor prices are from the US App Store.
Key differences
What sets them apart.
Your passcode opens it
Apple says a locked app "requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to open it". Anyone who knows your phone's passcode can open a locked Photos app. A Hidewell vault opens only with its own pattern. [1]
Open-source crypto core
Apple doesn't publish the source of iOS app locking. Hidewell's cryptography core is open source, and it's where all the security happens: the apps are a thin native layer on top. So anyone can inspect and audit exactly how your keys are made and your files are encrypted. [1]
A gate, not encryption
Apple describes app lock as requiring authentication and keeping a locked app's information out of search, notifications and Siri suggestions. It doesn't describe any extra encryption. Hidewell encrypts every file under its own vault key. [1]
One device at a time
Apple says a locked app is "only locked or hidden on that iPhone" and the lock doesn't sync with iCloud. If you use iCloud Photos, your other devices aren't covered by it. [1]
FAQ
Hidewell Vault vs iPhone app lock: your questions answered.
Can someone with my passcode open a locked Photos app?
Yes. Apple says locking an app requires Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode to open it, so anyone who knows your phone's passcode can open it. A Hidewell vault needs its own pattern.
Can I verify how app lock and Hidewell Vault protect my files?
Apple documents what app lock does but doesn't publish its source. Hidewell Vault's cryptography core is open source: you can read exactly how your keys are made, and anyone can inspect and audit it.
Does locking Photos on my iPhone lock it on my iPad or Mac?
No. Apple says a locked app is only locked on that iPhone and the setting doesn't sync with iCloud.
Can I hide the Photos app?
No. Apple says apps that come with iOS can't be hidden, only locked. Hidewell Vault can use a plain alternate icon so it doesn't stand out.
Sources
- https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/lock-or-hide-an-app-iph00f208d05/ios
- https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/ios-18-makes-iphone-more-personal-capable-and-intelligent-than-ever/
- https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/18.0/ios/18.0
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/photos/id1584215428
Hidewell Vault details are from this site. iPhone app lock is a trademark of its owner. Hidewell Vault is not affiliated with Apple. Features and prices change, so check the sources for the latest.