Weave Vault

Overview

Weave Vault is an encrypted file vault for Android and iOS. It suits people who want private mobile storage with a pattern-based unlock and optional backup to their own cloud account. Its privacy features come with a strict recovery rule: lose both the pattern and recovery phrase, and the vault cannot be restored.

Key features

A pattern drawn on a 5×5 grid derives the vault key. An unrecognized pattern opens a fresh, empty vault instead of showing an error. That may offer some discretion against casual inspection, but it also makes it important to keep the correct pattern and recovery phrase safe. The 12-word phrase is shown only once, when the vault is created.

Weave Vault accepts photos, videos, PDFs, and documents, with a maximum file size of 16 GB. AES-256-GCM encryption covers files, thumbnails, metadata, vault manifests, and key-wrapping headers. Sealed folders, duress mode, and a camera that saves directly into the vault add useful privacy controls for day-to-day phone use. They do not make it a tool for every threat: the maker says the app is intended to deter casual, opportunistic access, not targeted forensic analysis.

Encrypted backup is optional, requires Pro to set up, and saves ciphertext to the user’s iCloud on iPhone and iPad or Google Drive on Android. Restoring a backup does not require Pro, which reduces the risk of losing access to an existing backup if a subscription ends. Sharing sends a point-in-time copy, expires within at most 30 days, and can be revoked sooner.

The maker says Weave Vault has no accounts, analytics, crash reporting, advertising SDKs, or device fingerprinting. With optional features disabled, the app makes no network requests. Sharing is an exception: encrypted content goes to Apple, while limited share-control records go to a service operated by the maker. Email support cannot look up account or device data because the maker holds none.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and allows up to three vaults and 50 files per vault. That is a practical starting point for a small personal collection, but it will constrain larger libraries and does not include encrypted backup setup.

Pro removes free-tier limits and unlocks additional features. Pro — Annual has custom pricing, auto-renews, and includes a 7-day free trial for new subscribers; the price is shown in the app at purchase. Pro — Monthly also has custom pricing, auto-renews, and shows its price at purchase. Pro — Lifetime has custom pricing and is a one-time, non-consumable purchase that grants Pro access on the store account used to buy it. Annual and monthly suit users who prefer recurring access; lifetime avoids recurring billing but ties access to the purchasing store account. Review renewal terms before choosing a subscription.

Platforms

Weave Vault is available on Android and iOS. Optional backup uses Google Drive on Android and iCloud on iPhone and iPad; app distribution and purchases use the Apple and Google stores.

Who it's for

Choose Weave Vault if you want private files stored in a mobile vault, value a camera that saves directly into it, and can manage the recovery phrase carefully. It is less suitable if you need protection against targeted forensic analysis, want a recovery route that does not depend on your own pattern and phrase, or need desktop platforms.

Pros and cons

Pros

• AES-256-GCM covers files and supporting vault data, including thumbnails and metadata.
• Optional encrypted backup uses the user’s own iCloud or Google Drive, and restoring does not require Pro.
• The free tier supports up to three vaults, with 50 files per vault.
• Duress mode, sealed folders, and direct-to-vault camera capture add privacy controls beyond basic storage.

Cons

• If both the pattern and one-time recovery phrase are lost, the vault is unrecoverable.
• Setting up encrypted backup requires Pro, even though restoring does not.
• The maker does not position the app as protection against targeted forensic analysis.
• Pro prices are shown only at purchase, and annual and monthly plans auto-renew.

Alternatives

Hide it Pro is worth considering if you want a free vault on Android, iOS, macOS, or Windows; it has no free trial and no paid plans listed on its official site.

Keepsafe Photo Vault may suit readers who want a cloud-based free tier with a 200-item cap and can accept ads, or who prefer a published premium monthly price of $9.99 a month with automatic renewal.

NullVault is another free Android and iOS option, built and maintained by a small independent development group.

Private Photo Vault is an alternative for Android and iOS users looking for a basic on-device photo and video vault; switching to Basic deletes Cloud Backup.

Blackbox offers a free tier with limited vaults, PIN-only unlock, local storage, and ads. Its Premium plan costs $12.99 a month and adds unlimited vaults and advanced unlock methods.

CalcSafe is a free Android and iOS option whose maker says all core features are free forever and require no account.

Calculator Lock - Photo Vault is Android-only; its free plan allows up to two personal vaults, and ads may appear.

LockMyPix may fit readers who want a free Android or iOS option with a free trial and a one-time Premium purchase of 29.99 USD; its free tier includes ads and reserves some features for Premium.

Browse Photo Vault Apps for more options.

Verdict

Weave Vault is a strong fit for people who want encrypted mobile storage, direct-to-vault capture, and optional backup to their own cloud account. Its clearest reasons to choose it are the breadth of encrypted vault data and the ability to restore backups without an active Pro plan. Look elsewhere if you need forensic-grade protection, a less fragile recovery path, or desktop support.