Keeping Reproductive Health Records Private on iPhone
You have clinic paperwork, a test result or appointment screenshots on your iPhone, and you want them kept to yourself. Apple's Health app already encrypts cycle data; the gaps are usually in Photos, Messages and other apps.
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What do I need to know?
- Health app data is protected by Apple. Apple says it is encrypted when your phone is locked, and end-to-end encrypted in iCloud with two-factor authentication and a passcode.
- Photos of papers are not Health data. A scan or screenshot sits in Photos with your other pictures, and anyone who unlocks the phone can scroll to it.
- Other apps follow their own rules. A third-party period tracker stores data wherever its maker says.
Is my cycle data in the Health app private?
Apple's Cycle Tracking page says Health data is encrypted while your phone is locked. That needs a passcode, Touch ID or Face ID. It also says Health data synced to iCloud is end-to-end encrypted when you have two-factor authentication and a passcode.
You can delete single entries or use Delete All in the Health app. Check who you share with in Health → Sharing (Apple's steps, iOS 27).
What about a period-tracking app?
Read its privacy policy and the privacy label on its App Store page (how Apple's labels work). Look for whether it has an account, a server and data sharing. The Digital Defense Fund's abortion privacy guide covers trackers, messaging and payments in more depth.
What should I do today?
These steps are for iOS 27.
- Find the files. Search Photos for "clinic", "lab" or "appointment". Check Screenshots, Files, Mail and Messages.
- Move them into a vault that does not open with your phone passcode.
- Delete the originals, then empty Recently Deleted in Collections → Utilities. Apple keeps deleted items there for 30 days (Apple).
- Turn off message previews on the Lock Screen. Settings → Notifications → Show Previews (Apple).
- Lock apps you use for care. Touch and hold the app, then tap Require Face ID (Apple).
- Check iCloud. Photos in iCloud are not end-to-end encrypted unless you turn on Advanced Data Protection (Apple).
Where can I get help?
- Legal questions: the Repro Legal Helpline offers free, confidential help from lawyers. Laws differ by place, so talk to a lawyer about your situation.
- Finding care: AbortionFinder lists providers.
- Device safety: Apple's Personal Safety User Guide explains what you share and with whom.
This page is about phone privacy. It is not legal advice.
What this doesn't protect against
A vault does not touch records held by clinics, insurers, pharmacies, carriers or other apps. It does not hide texts, emails, search history or location history. If someone watches you draw your pattern, they can open the vault.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile keeps scans and screenshots out of Photos. Each is encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made on the device from your pattern. There is no account and no server. A different pattern opens a different vault, and nothing lists them.
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.
Cryptile Send, Files access and shared vaults are coming and are not available yet. Search inside the vault is part of Plus.