Frequently Asked Questions

No. LockBox does not upload your files to any server. All photos, videos, and media are encrypted and stored locally on your device. We do not have access to your files, and nothing leaves your device.

LockBox uses strong AES-256 encryption to protect your media. Each file is encrypted before being stored, ensuring that your private content cannot be accessed without proper authentication.

No. For your privacy and security, LockBox does not store your password or PIN in a recoverable format. If you forget your credentials, your encrypted files cannot be recovered.

All encrypted files are stored locally on your device. If you delete the app, all stored data will be permanently removed and cannot be recovered.

If you cancel your subscription, you will retain access to your existing files. However, if your stored items exceed the free tier limit, you will not be able to add new items until you reduce usage or resubscribe.

No. Your files will not be deleted. LockBox never removes your data due to subscription changes. Only new additions may be restricted.

You can restore your purchase from Settings → Restore Purchases. Make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.

No. LockBox subscriptions are personal and do not support Family Sharing. Each person needs their own subscription.

No. LockBox vault data is intentionally excluded from iCloud and device backups to protect your privacy. The only way to keep a backup of your vault is through Settings → Export Backup. We strongly recommend doing this before switching devices or reinstalling the app.

Encrypted Backup lets you export your entire vault — including all photos, videos, and albums — into a single password-protected .lockbox file. You can use this file to restore your data on the same device or transfer it to a new one.

Go to Settings → Export Backup. If you unlock LockBox with a PIN, you'll confirm your vault password. If you use Face ID or Touch ID only, you'll create a separate backup password. The app then encrypts all your data into a .lockbox file you can save or share via AirDrop, Files, or email.

Go to Settings → Restore from Backup and select a .lockbox file, or simply open the file from the Files app, AirDrop, or an email attachment. You will be asked to enter the password that was used when the backup was created. Items already in your vault are skipped automatically.

This is critical. The backup file is encrypted with the password you provided during export. Without this password, the backup cannot be decrypted and your data cannot be restored. LockBox cannot recover this password for you. We strongly recommend storing it in a safe place, such as a password manager or a written note kept securely.

Yes. Export your vault on the original device, then transfer the .lockbox file to the new device via AirDrop, iCloud Drive, email, or any other method. Open the file on the new device (or use Settings → Restore from Backup) and enter your backup password to restore everything.

It depends on how you unlock LockBox. If you use a PIN to unlock the app, that same PIN is used to encrypt and decrypt backups. If you use Face ID or Touch ID only (no PIN), you created a separate backup password during your first export — use that password when importing.

If biometric authentication fails, you can use your backup PIN to unlock the app.

LockBox stores data locally on each device. Files are not automatically synced across devices.

Yes, if you haven't exported a backup first. LockBox data does not transfer automatically to a new device — it is not included in iCloud or device backups. Before switching phones, go to Settings → Export Backup to save your vault. If you have already switched without exporting, the data on your old device cannot be recovered remotely.

Decoy Vault allows you to set a second PIN that opens a separate, empty vault. If you're ever pressured to unlock your phone, entering the decoy PIN shows an empty vault while keeping your real content hidden.

If someone attempts to unlock the app with incorrect credentials, LockBox silently captures a photo using the front camera (if enabled), helping you detect unauthorized access attempts.