Obscura Photo Vault stores photos and videos in encrypted vaults on iOS. It uses AES-256-GCM and derives vault keys with 600,000 rounds of PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256. The maker says the app works without network access, has no server or account system, and collects no installation, usage, or analytics data. The app offers ten encrypted vault slots, biometric unlocking, configurable auto-lock, delays after failed attempts, and memory clearing when a vault locks. Photo tools include editing, collages, tags, favorites, arranging, duplicate detection, and Live Photo frame extraction. Users can import from the camera roll and export a vault as a password-protected encrypted .obscura file. Vault data is included in iCloud Backup by default and remains encrypted there. The free plan is free for up to 50 photos in one vault. Pro Monthly is 6.99 USD per month; Pro Yearly is 29.99 USD per year after a 7-day free trial; Pro Lifetime is 39.99 USD per one-time payment. After a subscription ends, saved media remains accessible, but imports pause at the free 50-photo limit. Forgotten vault passwords cannot be recovered.
Who it is for
Obscura suits iOS users who want local encrypted storage for photos and videos, with no network access required for the app to function. The free plan is for up to 50 photos in one vault; larger libraries require a paid option.
What is good
- Uses AES-256-GCM encryption.
- Maker says it needs no network access.
- Offers ten encrypted vault slots.
- Includes photo organization and editing tools.
- Vault data remains encrypted in iCloud Backup.
What to know first
- Forgotten vault passwords cannot be recovered.
- Free plan is limited to 50 photos in one vault.
- Imports pause at the free limit after subscription ends.
- Available on iOS.
Verdict
Obscura offers encrypted vault storage with photo tools and an offline operating model, but recovery depends on remembering vault passwords. Review the free limit and subscription terms against the size of your library.
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
