iPhone privacy guides

These guides answer questions about keeping photos, videos and documents private on an iPhone. Each is written by the StrongRoom team, says which iOS version it was last checked on, links to Apple's own documentation, and tells you where an option falls short. Most of them are about built-in iOS features. Where a vault such as StrongRoom helps, we say so once, and where it does not, we say that too.

Start here

• How to hide photos on iPhone (5 ways, ranked)
• Is the Hidden album secure?
• How to choose a photo vault app
• Transfer a vault to a new iPhone

Use cases and quick answers

Situations (a repair, a border crossing, a shared passcode) -> /use-cases/. Short answers to common worries Quick answers

How we write these guides

We check each procedure against Apple's own documentation and record the iOS version and date. We cite Apple Support for what Apple does. We do not name or rank other vault apps. We do not publish "best of" lists. If we cannot test it, the guide says so. Corrections are welcome at hello@getstrongroom.com.

Guide topics

• Hide and lock photosBuilt-in iPhone ways to hide and lock photos and videos, what each one stops, and where an encrypted vault fits. (10 guides)
• The Hidden album and iCloudWhat the Hidden album does, what iCloud Photos syncs, and who can see what. (12 guides)
• Choosing a vault appThe questions worth asking of any photo vault app, answered without naming apps. (12 guides)
• Recovery, backup and movingForgotten passwords, lost phones and moving to a new iPhone. (8 guides)
• Encryption explainedAES, zero-knowledge and the Secure Enclave in plain words. (9 guides)
• Documents, IDs and codesKeeping passports, tax papers, medical records and recovery codes on an iPhone. (9 guides)
• iPhone privacy settingsiPhone settings worth changing, with Apple's own documentation linked. (8 guides)
• Other apps and devicesMac, Google Photos and social apps: where photos end up. (3 guides)

Frequently asked questions