Pro feature

Duress pattern

Set a second pattern for emergencies. If someone forces you to open Hidegrid, drawing it quietly erases the vault.

Coming soon to the App StoreSee pricing

Free to start. No account needed.

A duress pattern is a second pattern you set for a vault. When you draw it, Hidegrid silently and permanently erases that vault on the device instead of opening it. By default, it also erases the vault's iCloud backup as soon as the device is online. There is no warning or alert on screen. It is a Pro feature meant for situations where someone forces you to unlock the app.

How to set a duress pattern

  1. Open vault settings

    Unlock the vault and open its settings.

  2. Choose Emergency erase

    Draw a pattern that is different from your normal one.

  3. Confirm

    Read the warning, then draw it again to confirm.

Hidegrid unlock screen in dark mode: a pattern drawn across the 5×5 dot grid to open a vault

Why it matters

Quiet by design

Nothing on screen shows that a wipe happened.

You stay in control

You decide if and when to use it.

Works offline

The erase happens on the device and does not need a connection.

Use with care

Erasing cannot be undone on the device. By default, the vault's iCloud backup is erased too, as soon as the device is online, and so are synced copies once sync arrives in a free update. You can change this in the Emergency erase settings. Test your normal pattern often so you never draw the wrong one by mistake.

Questions about this feature

Can I get the data back after a duress wipe?

Not from that device. If you turned off "Also delete their iCloud backup", you can restore the backup later with your pattern or recovery phrase.

Will someone know I used it?

The app shows no alert. A person who knows how Hidegrid works may still suspect it.

Is the duress pattern legal to use?

Laws differ between countries. Do not use it to destroy evidence or break the law.

Related

Free

Multiple vaults

Keep work documents, family photos and personal files apart. Every vault has its own pattern and its own encryption key.

Pro

Disguise icon

Change the Hidegrid icon on your Home Screen to a neutral design, so the vault does not stand out.

Keep private things private

Download Hidegrid and set up your first vault in under a minute.

Coming soon to the App Store

Free to start. No account needed.