Export Package: your Vault as one encrypted file
Coming to the App Store. See what version 1.0 includes.
Free for iPhone. Pro is optional.
What it is
An Export Package is one encrypted file that holds an entire Vault: items, folders and their keys. You save it where you choose: Files, AirDrop to another device, a drive, a cloud account of your own. It is unreadable without that Vault's 12-word Recovery Phrase, so storing it in a cloud account does not expose your photos.
How to make one
- Unlock the Vault.
- Open Settings and choose "Export Package".
- Type the Recovery Phrase of that Vault, to prove it is yours.
- Tap "Make Export Package" and save the file.
Each Vault has its own package; make one for every Vault you want to be able to restore. Make a new one after you add a lot, because an old package does not contain newer items.
How to restore it on a new iPhone
- Install StrongRoom on the new phone. On the first screen choose "Restore from an Export Package".
- Choose the file and type the Vault's Recovery Phrase.
- Choose a new pattern or passphrase for it on this phone.
- Your items and folders appear.
Restore only works on a phone that has no Vault yet, so do it first, before you create anything else.
What is inside, and what is not
The package holds the Vault's encrypted items, thumbnails and its encrypted index, which carries your folders. It does not contain the Recovery PIN, which is bound to the old phone, and it does not contain your settings. It reveals nothing without the phrase: no names, no counts beyond what its size gives, no Vault ID.
Why there is no cloud backup
StrongRoom has no servers and no cloud, on purpose. A cloud copy is another place that can be subpoenaed, hacked, restored against your wishes or matched to your account. It would also undo a Duress wipe. The price of that choice is that nothing makes a copy for you.
Limits
If you lose your phone and have no Export Package, your data is gone. The Recovery Phrase alone cannot restore anything. A package is a snapshot, not a sync. A tampered or truncated file is refused and writes nothing. We cannot help you if you lose both the package and the phrase.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up StrongRoom?
Make an Export Package for each Vault and keep it somewhere safe. There is no automatic backup.
Can I restore on a new iPhone?
Yes, with the Export Package and the Vault's Recovery Phrase.
Is it safe to keep the package in iCloud Drive or email?
It is encrypted and useless without the phrase. Keep the phrase elsewhere.
What if I lose both the phone and the package?
The data is gone.
Does the package include my Recovery PIN?
No. A PIN works only on the phone where it was set.
Can I restore onto a phone that already has a Vault?
No. Restore from the first screen on a fresh install.