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Obscura Photo Vault

obscura-vault.com

From $2.50/mo Free plan iOS
Visit obscura-vault.com
Spec score 8.7 #4 of 32 in Photo Vault Apps

What it is

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 functions without network access, has no server or account system, and gathers no installation, usage, or analytics data. It provides ten encrypted vault slots, Face ID and Touch ID unlocking, configurable auto-lock, delays after failed attempts, and memory clearing when a vault locks. Photo tools include editing, collages, tags, favorites, manual arrangement, duplicate detection, and Live Photo frame extraction. Users can import from their 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 maker says the indistinguishability property for hidden vaults applies only within stated threat-model bounds. The free plan allows up to 50 photos in one vault. Pro Monthly is $6.99 a month; Pro Yearly is $29.99 a year after a 7-day free trial; Pro Lifetime is $39.99, paid once payment. Forgotten passwords cannot be recovered.

Spec sheet

What it does
Obscura Photo Vault encrypts photos, videos and its database locally on iPhone and iPad, without accounts or cloud servers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Purpose
Obscura encrypts photos and videos on the device for private storage in a photo vault.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Privacy
The maker says Obscura collects no installation, usage, or analytics data.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Support
The support page lists email [email protected] and says typical replies arrive within 24 to 48 hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · orlio.io
Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta, CanadaRead 28 Sep 2026 · obscura-vault.com
App privacy
Apple's privacy label says the developer reports collecting no data from the app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
App size
The iOS listing reports an app size of 10.2 MB.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Backup
The maker says vault data is included in iCloud Backup by default and remains encrypted there.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Biometric unlock
Face ID and Touch ID unlock are supported through iOS Secure Enclave and Keychain protections.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Command-line tool
The repository includes an obscura CLI that can create vaults, encrypt and decrypt media, change passwords and extract backup contents.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company activity
Crunchbase describes Orlio as building Shopify inventory software alongside mobile utility and security applications including Obscura Photo Vault.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Company headquarters
Crunchbase lists Orlio's headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Company legal name
Crunchbase lists the maker's legal name as Orlio Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Company size
Crunchbase reports an employee range of 1 to 10 people.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Developer package
ObscuraCrypto implements password derivation, media encryption, folder protection and .obscura backup reading using Swift and Apple frameworks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Developer requirements
Building the public package requires a Mac with Xcode or Swift toolchain version 6 or later, and it has no third-party dependencies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Documentation depth
The security paper documents key hierarchy, file formats, chunked media, folder protection, export format, threat limitations and testing procedures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Encrypted export
Vaults can be exported as password-protected .obscura files for storage or transfer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Encryption
The app uses AES-256-GCM with 600,000 PBKDF2 key-derivation rounds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Folder passwords
Folders can receive a second password and an additional encryption layer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Hidden vaults
The app maintains ten encrypted vault slots, while the security document says the indistinguishability property applies only under stated threat-model bounds.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
iCloud backup
Vault data is included in iCloud Backup by default, but the backup contains encrypted data and can be disabled in iOS settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Import and export
Users can import photos and videos from the camera roll and export a vault as a password-protected encrypted .obscura file.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Licence
The public ObscuraCrypto repository is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: free-tier cap
An App Store reviewer complained that the 50-photo free limit was too small and made the free listing feel misleading.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: iPhone focus
An independent comparison characterizes Obscura as iPhone-only and notes that Calculator Mode was removed in version 1.13.3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stashphotovault.com
Limit: no independent audit
The official safety guide states that no outside security firm has independently audited the app or its encryption code.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Limit: password loss
The Vaultaire review identifies irreversible loss after a forgotten password as the main tradeoff of the no-recovery design.Read 15 Oct 2026 · vaultaire.app
Limit: thumbnail quality
An App Store reviewer reported thumbnails were less sharp than Apple's Photos, although the developer said sharper thumbnails were later released.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Metadata removal
The product offers one-tap removal of photo location, date, camera and related metadata while leaving the image itself intact.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Notable news: open-source release
The App Store changelog says version 1.14.0, dated October 5, released the encryption core as open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Offline operation
The official site says the app requires zero network access and works fully offline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Offline use
The maker says the app requires zero network access to function and has no server or account system.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Open-source scope
The encryption implementation is public, while the app interface, database and vault-management code remain closed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Other security controls
The maker lists Face ID and Touch ID unlock, configurable auto-lock, progressive delays after failed attempts, and memory clearing when the vault locks.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Password recovery
There is no password reset or recovery channel; forgetting the password makes the photos unrecoverable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Password recovery limit
Forgotten vault passwords cannot be reset or recovered, according to the maker.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Photo tools
The app provides cropping, rotating, flipping, collages, tags, favorites, manual ordering and Live Photo frame extraction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Praise: encryption and value
The Vaultaire review describes Obscura as genuine AES-256-GCM encryption with no account, serious deniability features and an inexpensive one-time purchase option.Read 15 Oct 2026 · vaultaire.app
Praise: privacy model
An App Store reviewer praised the local-only design, lack of telemetry and competent implementation, while saying the app was promising for large libraries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.0 out of 5 from 17 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Separate vaults
Pro keeps ten encrypted vault slots available and opens each vault with its own password.Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Subscription limit
After a subscription ends, saved media remains accessible, but imports pause once the free limit of 50 photos is reached.Read 2 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
System requirement
The App Store listing requires iOS 18.2 or later and iPadOS 18.2 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Plans and prices

Free Free $0 up to 50 photos · one vault Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Pro Monthly $6.99 a month $6.99 USD monthly unlimited photos and videos · unlimited vaults Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Pro Yearly $29.99 a year $29.99 USD billed yearly after a 7-day free trial unlimited photos and videos · unlimited vaults Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com
Pro Lifetime $39.99, paid once $39.99 USD one payment, no renewals unlimited photos and videos · unlimited vaults Read 15 Oct 2026 · obscura-vault.com

Every Obscura Photo Vault plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • AES-256-GCM encryption
  • Works without network access or an account
  • Ten encrypted vault slots
  • Encrypted iCloud Backup by default

Limits

  • Free plan is limited to 50 photos
  • Forgotten vault passwords cannot be recovered
  • Available on iOS only

Who it suits

Obscura suits iOS users who want offline storage for private photos and videos, with vault and photo-management tools. Users should be comfortable keeping track of their vault passwords, which cannot be reset or recovered.

Verdict

Obscura offers offline encrypted storage alongside photo tools and encrypted backup. Its unrecoverable passwords and 50-photo free limit are important constraints to weigh.

Where Specifiction places it

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