Obscura Photo Vault stores photos and videos in encrypted vaults on iOS. It uses AES-256-GCM encryption, with vault keys derived through 600,000 rounds of PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256. The maker says the app functions without network access, has no server or account system, and collects no installation, usage, or analytics data. Users can unlock with Face ID or Touch ID, configure auto-lock, set progressive delays after failed attempts, and clear memory when a vault locks. Photo tools include editing, collages, tags, favorites, manual arranging, duplicate detection, and Live Photo frame extraction. Photos and videos can be imported from the camera roll, and a vault can be exported as a password-protected encrypted .obscura file. Vault data is included in iCloud Backup by default and remains encrypted there. The app has ten encrypted vault slots, though its security document limits its indistinguishability property to stated threat-model bounds. Free includes one vault for up to 50 photos. Pro Monthly is $6.99/mo; Pro Yearly is $29.99/year after a seven-day trial. Pro Lifetime costs $39.99 once. Forgotten passwords cannot be recovered.
Who it is for
Obscura suits iOS users who want to keep photos and videos in encrypted vaults, with offline operation and no account system. Users should be comfortable managing their own vault passwords, which cannot be recovered if forgotten.
What is good
- Uses AES-256-GCM encryption for vaults.
- Works without network access, according to the maker.
- Offers Face ID and Touch ID unlocking.
- Includes photo editing, tagging, and duplicate detection.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to 50 photos in one vault.
- Forgotten vault passwords cannot be recovered.
- Available only on iOS.
- Imports pause after a subscription ends once the free limit is reached.
Verdict
Obscura combines encrypted storage with photo organization tools and offline operation. Its free plan is limited, and forgotten vault passwords cannot be recovered.
Get started with Obscura Photo Vault
- Install Obscura on an iOS device.
- Create a vault and set its password.
- Import photos or videos from the camera roll.
- Use Face ID or Touch ID and configure auto-lock if desired.
- Choose a Pro plan for unlimited photos, videos, and vaults.
What the free plan stops at
The Free plan allows up to 50 photos in a single vault. After a subscription ends, saved media remains accessible, but importing pauses once the free 50-photo limit is reached.
Questions about Obscura Photo Vault
Is Obscura free?
Yes. Free is free and allows up to 50 photos in one vault.
What do the paid plans cost?
Pro Monthly is 6.99 USD per month. Pro Yearly is 29.99 USD per year after a 7-day free trial, and Pro Lifetime is 39.99 USD as a one-time payment.
Which devices does it support?
Obscura is available on iOS.
Does it need an internet connection or account?
The maker says the app requires zero network access to function and has no server or account system.
Can I recover a forgotten vault password?
No. The maker says forgotten vault passwords cannot be reset or recovered.
What happens to saved media if a subscription ends?
Saved media remains accessible. Imports pause once the free limit of 50 photos is reached.
Obscura Photo Vault plans and pricing
All plansCompared on photo vault apps
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $6.99/mo
- Free vault limit
- 50 items
- Cloud backup
- Yes
- Decoy vault
- Yes
- Private camera
- Yes
- Mobile platforms
- ios
