Locked Notes on iPhone vs a Vault App: Which to Trust
Apple's locked notes are a good, free choice for text. Apple says they are protected "with end-to-end encryption for iCloud accounts." The catch is that, since iOS 16, the lock can be your iPhone passcode, so anyone who knows the passcode can open them.
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What do I need to know?
- You choose the key. Since iOS 16, a locked note uses either your iPhone passcode or a separate Notes password.
- A separate password cannot be recovered. Apple: it "can't help you access them if you forget your notes password."
- Many notes cannot be locked. Apple lists notes with "tags, PDFs, audio, video, Keynote, Pages, Numbers documents," shared notes, and notes synced through Gmail, Yahoo or other IMAP accounts.
How do I lock a note?
Steps from Apple's lock notes page, for iOS 27:
- Open the note you want to lock.
- Tap the More button, then tap Lock.
- The first time, choose Use iPhone Passcode or Create Password.
- Tap the lock icon at the top to hide the contents.
To change the method later, go to Settings → Apps → Notes → Password.
Should I use my passcode or a separate password?
- Passcode: nothing new to remember. Anyone who knows your passcode can open the note.
- Separate password: someone with your passcode still cannot read it. If you forget it, the note is lost for good.
For anything you would not show a partner, a parent or a repair shop, pick a separate password.
How strong is the encryption?
Apple's Platform Security guide says a key is derived from your passphrase, and "the note and all of its attachments are encrypted using AES with Galois/Counter Mode (AES-GCM)." Images and sketches inside a note are covered.
Where does a vault app do better?
| Locked note | Cryptile vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Yes | Yes |
| Photos inside | Images in a note, yes | Yes |
| Videos and PDFs | Cannot be locked | Yes |
| Opens with passcode | If you chose the passcode | No, a pattern |
| Second, hidden set | No | Yes, another pattern opens another vault |
| Sync to Mac and iPad | Yes, with iCloud | Not yet; sync is coming |
| Cost | Free | Free tier; Plus $19.99 a year or $39.99 once |
Apple facts checked 2026-10-26 on the pages linked above.
When is a locked note enough?
For short text you need on more than one device, a locked note with a separate password works well. Examples are door codes, a Wi-Fi key or an account number.
A vault is worth it for videos, PDFs and photo sets, or when the people near you know your passcode.
What this doesn't protect against
A locked note stays open for several minutes after you unlock it, so a phone left on the table can show it. Neither tool stops a screenshot taken while the note is open. A vault cannot help if someone watches you draw your pattern. If you lose both your pattern and your 9-word recovery phrase, the vault is gone.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile stores secure notes next to photos, videos and files, all encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made on your device from your pattern. There is no account and no server, and the developer never holds your keys.
Cryptile is free for up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos. Plus adds search inside the vault and the panic pattern for $19.99 a year (7-day free trial) or $39.99 once.