Keepsafe is not the only way to keep private photos away from prying eyes. Your phone may already have a capable hidden folder built in, and several well-known third-party vault apps offer different trade-offs on encryption, backup and price. This roundup is part of the independent privacy and photo vault guides at Thealitekeepsafe.com, and it is based on official documentation and store listings rather than lab testing.
Table of Contents
How We Chose These Alternatives
We did not install or benchmark these apps on test devices. Instead, we reviewed each option’s official help pages and app store listings and included only products we could confirm exist and are actively listed. We looked at:
- How the content is locked (device passcode, separate PIN, biometrics)
- What the developer says about encryption, and whether the claim is specific
- Backup and recovery, including what happens if you lose your phone
- Platform availability on Android and iPhone
Features and pricing change often, so confirm details on the official listing before you commit. If you want background on how Keepsafe itself handles security and data, see our guide Is Keepsafe safe?, and for the basics of the app, read what Keepsafe Photo Vault is. Our full Keepsafe review is a useful benchmark when comparing the options below.
Built-In Options (Free)
Before downloading anything, check what your phone already offers. Built-in tools avoid giving another company access to your files and do not show ads.
1. iPhone Hidden album (iOS Photos)
Apple’s Photos app lets you hide photos and videos so they move into a Hidden album instead of appearing in your main library. According to Apple Support, on iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 or later, Face ID or Touch ID is required by default to view the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums. You can change this in the Photos settings.
Good for: iPhone users who want a quick, free way to keep photos out of the main grid.
Keep in mind: the lock relies on your device unlock method, so anyone who knows your iPhone passcode may be able to open it. There is no separate vault PIN, decoy mode or intruder photo.
2. Google Photos Locked Folder
Google Photos includes a Locked Folder protected by your device screen lock. Google’s help center says it is available on Android 6 and later and on iOS 15 and later. You set it up under Collections, then Locked.
Backup is optional. According to Google, you can turn on Locked Folder backup in Photos settings, but automatic backup requires that backup is already on for the rest of your photos. Google also warns that if Locked Folder backup is off, items can be deleted if you factory reset your device, clear the app’s data or delete the Photos app.
Good for: Android users already using Google Photos, and iPhone users who prefer Google’s ecosystem.
Keep in mind: as with the iPhone Hidden album, the lock is your screen lock, not a separate PIN. Check Google’s help center for current backup and sharing behaviour, as it may vary by device.
3. Samsung Secure Folder
On many Samsung Galaxy phones, Secure Folder creates a separate encrypted space for apps, photos and files. Samsung’s support pages say it is protected by the Samsung Knox security platform and can be locked with a PIN, password, pattern or biometrics, separate from your main screen lock. You can also hide its icon from the Apps screen.
Secure Folder can run a second copy of some apps, such as a messaging app with a different account. Samsung says you need a Samsung account to set it up, and some older models do not support it.
Good for: Galaxy owners who want strong, built-in separation without a third-party app.
Keep in mind: Samsung’s support information on backing up Secure Folder has changed over time and appears inconsistent across pages, so check the current settings on your device before relying on backup. Forgotten credentials can be reset with your Samsung account only if you enabled that option during setup.
Third-Party Vault Apps
If you want features the built-in tools lack, such as a separate PIN, a decoy vault or encrypted cloud storage, these well-known apps are worth researching.
4. LockMyPix Secret Photo Vault
LockMyPix is listed on both the App Store and Google Play. Its App Store listing says files are encrypted with AES in CTR mode and stay unreadable without your password, which is more specific than many vault apps. Store descriptions and reviews also mention a fake login (decoy) feature and encrypted backups.
Good for: users who want a dedicated vault with a named encryption method.
Keep in mind: the encryption details come from the developer, not an independent audit we could confirm. Check the listing for which features are free and which require a paid plan.
5. Private Photo Vault – Pic Safe
Private Photo Vault, published by Legendary Software Labs LLC, is a long-standing App Store vault app. Its listing describes PIN and pattern locks, album-specific locks and an optional cloud backup feature. According to the listing, cloud backup is not included in the free version.
Good for: iPhone users who want a familiar vault layout similar to Keepsafe.
Keep in mind: some third-party reviewers have questioned how locally stored files are protected. We could not confirm the details either way, so read the current listing and privacy label closely.
6. Ente Photos
Ente Photos is a different kind of alternative: an end-to-end encrypted photo backup service rather than a classic hidden vault. Ente’s help center says files are encrypted on your device before upload, with keys derived from your password, so Ente says it cannot read your files. It has apps for Android and iPhone as well as desktop and web.
Good for: people who want private cloud backup and are comfortable managing a password and recovery key.
Keep in mind: Ente says that if you lose both your password and recovery key, it cannot recover your account or data. It is not designed to disguise itself or show a decoy vault. Our guide to photo vaults vs cloud storage explains when each approach makes sense.
Comparison Table
| Option | Platforms | Lock method | Backup | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Hidden album | iPhone, iPad | Face ID, Touch ID or passcode | Follows your iCloud Photos settings | Free, built in |
| Google Photos Locked Folder | Android 6+, iOS 15+ | Device screen lock | Optional Locked Folder backup | Free; storage limits apply |
| Samsung Secure Folder | Supported Samsung Galaxy phones | Separate PIN, password, pattern or biometrics | Varies; check device settings | Free, built in |
| LockMyPix | Android, iPhone | Separate password or PIN | Encrypted backups (per listing) | Free with paid options |
| Private Photo Vault – Pic Safe | iPhone | PIN, pattern, album locks | Cloud backup on paid tier | Free with paid options |
| Ente Photos | Android, iPhone, desktop, web | Account password | End-to-end encrypted cloud | Free tier and paid plans |
Prices are not listed because they change frequently and vary by region. Check each official listing for current plans.
How to Pick the Right Alternative
- Define the threat. Hiding photos from someone glancing at your phone is different from protecting them if your phone is stolen.
- Prefer built-in tools first. They avoid extra data collection and ads.
- Check encryption claims. Look for a specific, documented method rather than vague phrases.
- Plan for recovery. Know how you would get back in if you forget your PIN or lose your phone.
- Verify the developer. Copycat vault apps exist, so confirm the publisher name on the store listing.
For step-by-step instructions on the built-in tools, see our guide on how to hide private photos on your phone. If you also want to lock entire apps, our guide to locking apps on Android and iPhone covers that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Keepsafe?
For most people, the best free alternative is the one already on their phone: the Hidden album on iPhone, Locked Folder in Google Photos, or Secure Folder on supported Samsung phones. They cost nothing and do not show ads.
Is the iPhone Hidden album secure?
According to Apple, on iOS 16 and later the Hidden album requires Face ID or Touch ID by default. That stops casual browsing, but it is tied to your device unlock, so it is only as strong as your passcode.
Do third-party vault apps encrypt photos?
Many say they do, but detail varies. Some, like LockMyPix, name a specific method on their listing, while others use general terms. Check each app’s official description and privacy label.
Can I move my photos from Keepsafe to another app?
Generally, you would export or unhide files from Keepsafe to your phone’s gallery and then import them into the new app. Remove the gallery copies afterward. Exact steps may vary by version, so check Keepsafe’s help center first.
Conclusion
There is no single best Keepsafe alternative for everyone. Built-in options from Apple, Google and Samsung cover many people’s needs for free, while apps like LockMyPix, Private Photo Vault and Ente Photos add separate PINs, decoy features or encrypted cloud backup. Match the tool to what you actually need to protect, and verify the official details before trusting any app with your private photos.
