Hidegrid vs Private Photo Vault
An honest look at how Hidegrid and Private Photo Vault differ, so you can pick the right one for you.
The short answer
Private Photo Vault (Pic Safe) is a long-running vault app with PIN, password or pattern unlock, a decoy password, break-in reports and its own Cloud Vault. Hidegrid uses a 5×5 pattern as the source of its encryption key, needs no account for any feature, and backs up to your own iCloud instead of a vendor cloud.
Hidegrid and Private Photo Vault side by side
| Feature | Hidegrid | Private Photo Vault |
|---|---|---|
| How you unlock | Pattern on a 5×5 grid | PIN, password or pattern; Face ID |
| Encryption details published | Yes: AES-256-GCM, key from PBKDF2 with 600,000 iterations | Says "AES encrypted"; cloud files encrypted before upload |
| Account needed | No | Not for on-device use; needed for Cloud Vault |
| Backup and sync | Encrypted backup to your own iCloud; iPhone and iPad sync (Pro, coming in a free update) | Own Cloud Vault (Premium) |
| Decoy or duress option | Duress pattern that silently erases a vault (Pro) | Decoy password |
| Break-in photo alerts | No | Yes, with photo and location |
| Disguised app icon | Yes (Pro) | Not stated in the listing |
| Private in-app camera | Yes | Yes |
| Separate vaults with separate keys | Yes, each with its own pattern | Not stated in the listing |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro |
| Pricing model | Free plan; Pro as subscription or one-time purchase | Free with in-app purchases |
We checked Private Photo Vault against its public App Store listing, website or support pages on 28 October 2026. Features and prices change, so check the current listing. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
Sources: apps.apple.com · www.privatephotovault.com
Where Private Photo Vault is strong
Private Photo Vault offers many unlock options, a decoy password and detailed break-in reports. It also runs on Mac and Vision Pro.
Where Hidegrid is different
Hidegrid publishes its exact encryption design, derives the key from your pattern, and never asks for an account. Backups go to your own iCloud, so there is no extra cloud service to sign up for. Pro adds a duress pattern that erases a vault rather than showing a decoy.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Private Photo Vault if you want break-in photo reports, a decoy password or a Mac app.
- Choose Hidegrid if you want no account at all, a published encryption design, and backups in your own iCloud.
Questions
Is Hidegrid a replacement for Private Photo Vault?
Both keep photos in a locked, encrypted vault on iPhone. Hidegrid is a good fit if you prefer pattern unlock and no account. You would move photos by exporting them from one app and importing them into the other.
Does Hidegrid have break-in alerts like Private Photo Vault?
No. Hidegrid does not take photos of people who try to unlock it.
Which is more private?
Both say the developer cannot see your vault. Hidegrid needs no account for any feature and stores backups only in your own iCloud.
Keep private things private
Download Hidegrid and set up your first vault in under a minute.
Coming soon to the App StoreFree to start. No account needed.