NullVault

NullVault is a mobile app for storing photos, videos, files, and notes in separate encrypted vaults. It will suit people who want private local storage that works offline, especially those who prefer to open vaults individually rather than browse a master library. Its strongest case is account-free access with platform-specific backups; its main trade-offs are a tight free iOS quota and limited protection once content leaves the app.

Overview

Each vault opens with its own pattern, and the app does not show a list or count of the other vaults. This gives the interface a less revealing structure, but it does not make the data undetectable: NullVault says hidden-vault design cannot prevent encrypted data from being found. Local vaults work offline without a NullVault account or server, making the app a good fit for people who want their basic storage to remain available without a service connection.

Content can be captured or imported, then arranged with collections, search, and sorting inside a vault. Export requires a deliberate choice, but exported copies are outside NullVault’s protection. The app is most useful when private material stays in its vaults rather than moving between other apps and services.

Key features

NullVault says both versions use AES-256-GCM and Argon2id. Android also uses Android Keystore material; iOS uses Apple CryptoKit and libsodium. These are meaningful implementation choices, but they do not protect against a compromised device that captures patterns, keys, screens, or plaintext. The maker says its scoped design and implementation reviews do not approve the finished applications as a whole, and its site is not an independent audit or certification.

Backup and sharing depend on platform. iOS includes encrypted iCloud backup and controlled read-only sharing through CloudKit. Android supports portable encrypted backups. That gives iOS users a way to share access without making the shared vault writable, while Android users get a portable backup option. The feature sets are not identical, so readers who need the same backup or sharing workflow across both platforms should weigh that difference.

Support is available by email, but it cannot recover a forgotten phrase or open a local vault. That is consistent with local, account-free storage, though it leaves users responsible for keeping their access method safe.

Pricing

The free plan’s 20-item ceiling is a firm constraint for photo and video collections, and its one-collection-per-vault limit narrows organization. Pro removes those quotas subject to storage, but the monthly renewal terms matter and the price is custom. The published plan details cover iOS; Android has portable encrypted backups, but no Android plan is described here.

Platforms

NullVault runs on Android and iOS. The maker lists support for iPhone running iOS 26 or later and Android phones running Android 10 or later. Check those minimums before choosing it for an older device.

Who it's for

NullVault is a sensible choice for people who want separate pattern-opened vaults, offline access, and a way to keep imported or captured material organized locally. It is less suitable for anyone who needs generous free storage on iOS, protection that follows exported files, or recovery help if a vault phrase is lost. Users who expect device compromise to be in scope should also recognize that on-device access can expose patterns, keys, screens, or plaintext.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Local vaults work offline without a NullVault account or server, so basic access does not depend on the maker’s service.
• Pros: Separate patterns and no in-app master list or vault count make the vault structure less immediately visible.
• Pros: Encrypted backup is included on iOS, while Android supports portable encrypted backups.
• Cons: Free iOS users are limited to 5 vaults, 20 total items, and one collection per vault.
• Cons: iOS Pro renews monthly unless canceled, and custom pricing makes the cost hard to compare upfront.
• Cons: Exported copies leave NullVault’s protection, and a compromised device may expose sensitive material.
• Cons: Support cannot retrieve a forgotten phrase or open a local vault, so losing access can mean losing access to the contents.

Alternatives

Photo Vault Apps is the broader category list for readers comparing several options.

• Hide it Pro suits readers looking for a free option across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
• Keepsafe Photo Vault is a better fit for readers who want a free cloud tier with 200 items and are willing to accept ads, or a monthly Premium plan.
• Private Photo Vault suits readers who want a free on-device photo and video vault and can accept losing cloud backup when switching to Basic.
• Weave Vault may fit readers who need up to 50 files in each of three free vaults, rather than NullVault’s 20-item total on iOS.
• Blackbox is an option for readers comfortable with ads, local-only storage, and PIN-only unlocking on its free plan.
• CalcSafe suits readers who want core features free without an account.
• Calculator Lock - Photo Vault is an Android-only option for readers whose needs fit two free personal vaults.
• LockMyPix suits readers willing to pay $29.99, paid once for premium features and ad removal.

Verdict

Choose NullVault if separate pattern-addressed vaults, offline local access, and encrypted backup matter more than a large free iOS library. Its account-free operation and platform-specific backup choices are its clearest strengths. Look elsewhere if 20 items is too restrictive, you need recovery for a forgotten phrase, or you expect exported files and a compromised device to remain protected.