Velcrypt frequently asked questions
These are the questions people ask most about Velcrypt, grouped by topic. Each answer stands on its own, so you can jump straight to the section you need.
If you want the full technical picture, the security model page explains how your pattern becomes a key and how files are encrypted, along with the things Velcrypt cannot protect against. For what’s included in each version, see pricing. If you think you’ve lost access to a vault, read forgot your vault pattern before trying anything else — and remember that drawing an unfamiliar pattern simply opens a new, empty vault rather than an error.
Can’t find your question here? Contact support and we’ll help where we can. We can answer questions about how the app works, but we can never open, reset or recover a vault for you.
Basics
What is Velcrypt?
Velcrypt is an iPhone app that keeps private photos, videos and documents in encrypted vaults on your device. You open a vault by drawing a pattern on a 5×5 grid of dots.
What can I store in Velcrypt?
Photos and videos from your Photos library and documents from the Files app. Inside a vault you can organise items into albums, view photos and videos with zoom and swipe, and move or export items securely.
Does importing a photo into Velcrypt remove it from my Photos library?
No. Importing makes an encrypted copy, and the original stays in Photos until you delete it. After deleting, also empty Recently Deleted, where items otherwise stay for about 30 days.
Does Velcrypt have a built-in camera?
No. Velcrypt doesn’t include a camera. You take photos with the iPhone Camera app and then import them into a vault.
Is Velcrypt the same as the iPhone Hidden album?
No. The Hidden album only removes photos from the main library view and is opened with Face ID or your passcode. Velcrypt encrypts files with a key derived from a separate pattern that is not your device passcode.
Pattern & vaults
What makes a valid Velcrypt pattern?
One continuous line through at least 6 dots on the 5×5 grid, with at least one change of direction. Longer patterns of 8–12 dots are recommended.
How do I create a second vault?
Draw a new pattern you haven’t used before. Every pattern is its own vault, so a new pattern opens a new, empty vault that you can start filling.
Why did my pattern open an empty vault?
Most likely you drew a slightly different pattern, which Velcrypt treats as a different vault. Try again slowly; the app never shows a “wrong pattern” message by design.
Can I see a list of my vaults?
No. Velcrypt keeps no list of vaults, so nothing in the app reveals how many exist. You need to remember each pattern yourself.
What is a decoy vault?
A decoy vault is an ordinary-looking vault with harmless content that you can open if pressured, while your private vault stays behind a different pattern. Nothing in Velcrypt proves the second vault exists.
What is the duress pattern?
The duress pattern is a planned Premium feature, coming soon. Drawing it would open a vault you choose and silently remove access to the others.
Can I organise items inside a vault?
Yes. Each vault can hold albums, and you can multi-select items and move them between albums within that vault.
Why doesn’t Velcrypt use Face ID or Touch ID?
By design. A face or finger can be used without your consent, for example while you sleep or under pressure, while a pattern exists only in your memory.
Security & encryption
How does Velcrypt encrypt my files?
With AES-256-GCM through Apple CryptoKit. Each vault has its own random 256-bit master key, and each file gets its own key derived with HKDF.
How is my pattern turned into a key?
Velcrypt runs the pattern through PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512 with at least 600,000 iterations and a random salt unique to your device, stored in the iOS Keychain. The pattern itself is never saved.
Does Velcrypt use iOS Data Protection?
Yes. Vault files use the complete protection class, so iOS keeps them encrypted whenever the iPhone is locked, on top of Velcrypt’s own encryption.
Does Velcrypt lock automatically?
Yes. It locks when the app goes to the background, after a delay you can configure, and vault content is hidden in the app switcher.
Has Velcrypt been security audited?
No independent audit has taken place yet. Velcrypt uses standard algorithms and Apple’s CryptoKit, and we would welcome an external review.
What can’t Velcrypt protect against?
Someone watching you draw your pattern, being forced to unlock, a phone handed over with a vault open, malware on a compromised or jailbroken device, photos of your screen, and copies that still exist elsewhere. The security page lists these limits in full.
Backup & recovery
What happens if I forget my Velcrypt pattern?
The vault cannot be opened again. Velcrypt never stores your pattern or keys, so neither you nor Velcrypt can recover it.
Is my vault included in my iCloud backup?
No. In the first version, vault data is excluded from iCloud backups so encrypted files never leave your device.
Is my vault included in a Finder or iTunes backup?
No. Vault data is also excluded from computer backups in the first version.
What happens to my vaults if I get a new iPhone?
Vaults don’t transfer to a new device in the first version. Export anything you want to keep before switching phones, and store it somewhere you trust.
Will Velcrypt offer encrypted backup?
An encrypted backup option is planned as part of Premium. We don’t have a date yet and won’t promise one until it’s ready.
Can Velcrypt support reset my pattern?
No. Support has no access to your vaults, patterns or keys, so there is nothing to reset on our side.
Privacy
Do I need an account to use Velcrypt?
No. There is no sign-up, no email address and no login. You install the app and draw a pattern.
Does Velcrypt upload my photos?
No. Velcrypt has no servers for your content, and vault files never leave your iPhone.
Does Velcrypt collect analytics?
Velcrypt collects no analytics on vault content. If you have chosen to share analytics with app developers in iOS settings, Apple may share crash and diagnostic data with us.
Can other people tell that I use Velcrypt?
The app icon is visible on your Home Screen, and forensic tools may be able to tell that Velcrypt holds encrypted data and roughly how much. Velcrypt hides the number of vaults and their contents, not its own existence.
Does Velcrypt show ads or sell data?
No. Velcrypt has no ads and doesn’t sell data. It doesn’t collect your content in the first place.
Pricing & availability
Is Velcrypt free?
There is a free version, plus an optional Premium upgrade. Premium pricing will be announced.
What will Premium include?
Planned Premium items are unlimited items, more vaults, the duress pattern (coming soon) and a future encrypted backup.
Where can I get Velcrypt?
Velcrypt is an iPhone app distributed through the App Store. Check the App Store button on this site for current availability.
Who handles payments?
Apple handles all purchases through the App Store. Velcrypt never sees your payment details.
Compatibility
Which iOS version does Velcrypt need?
Velcrypt requires iOS 17 or later on iPhone.
Is there a Velcrypt app for iPad, Mac or Android?
No. Velcrypt is an iPhone app only, and there is no web version.
Does Velcrypt sync between devices?
No. There is no cloud sync; each vault lives only on the iPhone where it was created.
Can I import documents from the Files app?
Yes. You can import documents from the Files app into any vault, alongside photos and videos.