How to do it
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Touch and hold Search to open the Private Vault
In PicWay’s bottom bar, touch and hold Search to get into the Private Vault.
9:41Private Vault
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Follow the setup the first time
Draw a pattern (connect at least 6 dots on the 5×5 grid), set three questions, and write down 12 words. PicWay doesn’t store those 12 words and can’t recover them. Write them on paper, and don’t take a screenshot.
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Move your photos in
Touch and hold a photo in your library and choose Hide. It’s encrypted and saved first, then iOS asks you to confirm deleting the original from your library. That’s the order: encrypt and save, then confirm.
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Clear Recently Deleted
Deleted originals stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days, and PicWay reminds you to clear them there.
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Take a photo back out
Choose Put Back in Photos in the Private Vault, and the photo returns to your library.
Two ways to hide photos on iPhone
| Hidden album in Photos | PicWay Private Vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Once they’re in | No longer appear in your library, other albums, or the Photos widget | No longer appear in PicWay’s reviews, Memories tab, memories, widgets, or search. Originals in your library are deleted after you confirm |
| How it opens | Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode | A pattern you set. Face ID can’t open it |
| With iCloud sync on | Hidden on one device, hidden on your others | Encrypted on your phone first, then stored in your own iCloud, and only you can open it |
The Photos details come from Apple: Hide photos with the Hidden album and Delete or hide photos and videos.
If you just don’t want photos showing in your library, Hide in the Photos app is enough, and you don’t need another app. If you want a separate pattern that only you know, use the Private Vault.
Where do photos go when I tap Hide in PicWay?
To the Private Vault, not the Hidden album in iOS.
Can it open during screen recording? Does it lock automatically?
While screen recording is on, the Private Vault won’t open, and you need to stop recording before you draw your pattern. It also locks on its own: after 2 minutes without a touch by default. Time spent playing a video doesn’t count. If you leave the app and come back, you draw your pattern again.
What about a new phone, or a forgotten pattern?
With iCloud sync on (it’s on by default), photos, videos, files, and albums are encrypted on your phone, then stored in your own iCloud, and you can get them back on a new phone or after reinstalling.
If you forget your pattern, tap Forgot your pattern? on the unlock screen. You can answer the questions you set up, or enter your 12 words. Get them right and you draw a new pattern.