How to Move Photos to a Vault App on iPhone
Import the photos into the vault, check they open, then delete the originals from Photos and from Recently Deleted. Until that last step, a full copy is still on your phone and in iCloud Photos.
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What do I need to know?
- Importing copies, it does not move. The original stays in Photos until you delete it.
- Deleted photos wait 30 days. Apple keeps them in Recently Deleted, on every device using iCloud Photos.
- Check before you delete. Open a few photos in the vault first, especially videos.
What should I do before I move anything?
- Create the vault and write down its recovery method. In Cryptile, that is a 9-word phrase on paper. There is no reset.
- Close the vault and open it again. Make sure you can.
- Decide what goes in. Start with a small batch, not your whole library.
How do I move photos into Cryptile?
- Open Cryptile and draw your pattern.
- Optional: tap Add → New folder to sort things as they come in.
- Tap Add → Photos & videos and select the photos.
- Wait for the import to finish. Each file is encrypted as it is saved.
- When Cryptile offers to delete the originals, confirm. iOS asks you to approve the deletion.
- Open a few of the imported photos and a video to check them.
You can also send a single photo from Photos: tap Share, then choose Cryptile.
How do I clear Recently Deleted?
Steps for iOS 27, from Apple's guide:
- Open Photos and tap Collections.
- Tap Recently Deleted, tap View Album, then unlock with Face ID.
- Tap Select and choose the photos you moved.
- Tap the More button, then Delete.
Apple says items deleted here are removed from your iPhone, iCloud and other devices on your Apple Account. Our guide on what happens when you delete photos explains the rest.
Which copies do people forget?
- Shared Albums. A photo you posted there stays until you remove it from the album. See who can see shared album photos.
- Messages and other apps. Photos you sent or received live in those chats too.
- Your computer. Any copy synced or imported to a Mac or PC stays there.
- Old backups. A backup made earlier still holds the photo until it is replaced.
How many photos can I move for free?
Cryptile's free plan holds 100 photos and 10 videos across 2 vaults. Plus removes the limits. If you have more, move the most sensitive ones first.
What this doesn't protect against
Moving photos does not reach copies you already shared, sent or backed up elsewhere. Anyone who watches you draw your pattern can open the vault. If you lose both the pattern and the recovery phrase, the photos are gone, because nobody else holds a key.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile encrypts each photo with AES-256-GCM under a key made on your phone from your pattern. Its encrypted iCloud backup restores with the 9-word phrase. There is no account and no server.
Cryptile is free for up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos. Plus removes the limits for $19.99 a year (7-day free trial) or $39.99 once. The price is the same every day.