Keepsafe is free to download, but many of its best-known features sit behind a Premium subscription. This guide compares what the free version includes with what Premium adds, based on Keepsafe’s App Store listing and help center, so you can decide whether upgrading makes sense. It is based on research rather than device testing, and is part of the independent guides at Thealitekeepsafe.com.
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
Keepsafe Premium is most worth it if you want an ad-free experience, larger cloud backup, and the extra privacy tools such as Decoy Vault, intruder alerts and Album Lock. If you only need to hide a handful of photos from casual view, the free version, or a built-in option on your phone, may be enough.
If you are still getting to know the app, start with our explainer on what Keepsafe Photo Vault is, then come back to weigh the upgrade.
What the Free Version Includes
According to the App Store listing for “Secret Photo Vault: Keepsafe,” the core app includes:
- PIN protection and fingerprint (Touch ID) unlock
- Encryption for stored photos and videos
- Photo backup
- Custom albums for organizing files
- An integrated camera for taking photos directly into the vault
- Safe Send, for sharing photos with time limits
- Full-screen and slideshow viewing
- Sync across your installations on different platforms
The free version is ad-supported. Keepsafe’s privacy policy says the ad-supported version uses cookies and pixels for interest-based advertising, and the App Store privacy label lists Usage Data used for tracking.
The App Store listing does not state a specific free cloud storage limit. Limits for free accounts may vary by version, region or account history, so check the app or Keepsafe’s help center for the number that applies to you.
What Keepsafe Premium Adds
The App Store listing groups Premium features into two areas, and Keepsafe’s help center lists a few more.
Managing photos
- Album Lock: set a separate PIN or password on individual albums.
- Private Cloud (up to 10,000 items): a larger backup allowance for your vault. Our guide to Keepsafe Private Cloud backup explains how backup works.
- Space Saver: compresses photos on your device and keeps the originals in the cloud to free up storage.
- Trash Recovery: restore items you deleted by mistake.
Personalization
- Ad-free viewing: removes ads from the app.
- Custom album covers
- Themes, according to Keepsafe’s help center
Privacy and deterrence tools
- Decoy Vault (Fake PIN): the help center describes this as a second gallery that opens with a different PIN, for when you need to show the app without exposing your real content. Read Keepsafe Fake PIN explained for details.
- Intruder alerts: the help center says you can see the date and time of wrong PIN attempts and a photo taken of the person, under Settings and then Alerts.
- Secret Door: disguises the app as a calculator or virus scanner. Keepsafe’s help center says this is available on Android only because of App Store policy.
Feature names and availability can change between app versions and between iPhone and Android, so treat this list as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Free vs Premium at a Glance
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| PIN and biometric lock | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted vault | Yes | Yes |
| Custom albums and in-app camera | Yes | Yes |
| Safe Send sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud backup | Basic (limit not stated in listing) | Up to 10,000 items |
| Ads | Ad-supported | Ad-free |
| Album Lock | No | Yes |
| Space Saver | No | Yes |
| Trash Recovery | No | Yes |
| Decoy Vault (Fake PIN) | No | Yes |
| Intruder alerts | Check in app | Listed as Premium |
| Secret Door | No | Yes (Android only) |
Keepsafe’s Premium overview lists intruder alerts among Premium features, but the individual help article on viewing alerts does not say so explicitly. Check inside the app to confirm what your plan includes.
How Much Does Keepsafe Premium Cost?
Keepsafe does not publish a single price on its website. Pricing is shown inside the app and in the store listings, and it can vary by country, platform, plan length and current offers.
Keepsafe sells Premium as an in-app subscription, and the App Store lists several monthly and yearly purchase options. Because prices vary by country, platform and current promotions, and the listing does not say which price belongs to which plan, we do not quote a figure here. Check the exact price and billing period on the payment screen inside the app before you subscribe.
Subscriptions bought through the App Store or Google Play are managed through your Apple ID or Google account settings, which is also where you cancel them.
Who Should Upgrade?
Premium makes sense if you:
- Store hundreds or thousands of private photos and want reliable cloud backup
- Find ads distracting or are uncomfortable with ad-related tracking
- Share your phone with family and want Album Lock for specific folders
- Worry about being pressured to open the app, where a Decoy Vault helps
- Are low on phone storage and would use Space Saver
Free is probably enough if you:
- Only need to hide a small number of photos
- Already back up your phone another way
- Do not need decoy or disguise features
Before paying, it is also worth comparing Keepsafe with other options. Our comparison of Keepsafe vs other photo vault apps looks at how competing vaults and free built-in tools stack up.
Premium vs Free Built-In Options
A fair way to judge Premium is to compare it with what your phone already does for free. Apple’s Photos app has a Hidden album that, according to Apple Support, requires Face ID or Touch ID by default on iOS 16 and later. Google Photos offers a Locked Folder protected by your screen lock, and many Samsung Galaxy phones include Secure Folder.
These built-in tools cover the basic job of keeping photos out of your main gallery, with no ads and no extra subscription. What they generally lack is the set of extras Keepsafe Premium focuses on:
- A vault PIN that is separate from your phone passcode (Samsung Secure Folder is an exception, since it can use its own lock)
- A decoy vault that opens with a second PIN
- Intruder photos of failed unlock attempts
- Per-album locks inside the vault
If those extras are what you want, Premium is where Keepsafe delivers them. If not, a free built-in folder may give you most of the benefit at no cost.
Things to Check Before Subscribing
- Verify your email. Keepsafe’s help center says PIN resets rely on access codes sent to verified email addresses. Without one, recovery may not be possible.
- Look for a free trial. Trials and introductory offers may appear in the app, but availability varies.
- Note the renewal date so you are not charged for a plan you no longer use.
- Understand what happens when you cancel. Ask support or check the help center about what happens to cloud items beyond the free limit if your subscription ends.
- Read the privacy disclosures on the App Store and Google Play to see what data the app collects.
For an overall view of strengths and weaknesses, see our full Keepsafe review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keepsafe free to use?
Yes. The app is free to download and includes a PIN-locked vault, albums, an in-app camera and basic backup. It is ad-supported and offers optional in-app purchases for Premium.
Does Keepsafe Premium remove ads?
Yes. The App Store listing includes ad-free viewing among the Premium features.
Is the Fake PIN feature free?
Keepsafe’s help center describes Decoy Vault, often called Fake PIN, as a Premium feature. Availability may vary by version, so check the app.
Can I cancel Keepsafe Premium anytime?
Subscriptions bought through the App Store or Google Play can be cancelled in your Apple ID or Google Play subscription settings. Cancelling usually stops the next renewal rather than refunding the current period, but refund rules depend on the store.
Conclusion
Keepsafe Premium is a sensible upgrade for heavy users who want more backup space, no ads and extra privacy tools. For lighter needs, the free tier or your phone’s built-in hidden folder may be all you need. Check the current price in the app, confirm which features are included on your platform, and make sure your recovery email is verified before you pay.
