A secure folder for your iPhone
iOS can lock a note, a photo album or a single PDF, but it has no single locked place for everything. Cubbylock is being built to fill that gap. Everything below describes how it is designed; it isn’t available yet.
What goes in it
- Files from the Files app: PDFs, contracts, spreadsheets, anything.
- Photos and videos from your library or the camera.
- Paper documents captured with the built-in scanner: IDs, passports, insurance cards.
- Notes written inside the folder. See secure notes.
How it protects them
- Encrypted on your iPhone. Every item is designed to be encrypted on the device, with standard AES-256-GCM through Apple’s CryptoKit, before it is stored.
- Its own unlock code. A PIN separate from your iPhone passcode, with optional Face ID. Someone who knows your passcode still can’t open Cubbylock.
- Recovery phrase. Shown once at setup, so a new phone or a forgotten code doesn’t lock you out.
- Optional encrypted iCloud backup. Files are designed to be encrypted before upload, so Apple can’t read them.
- No account, no ads. No sign-up, no email, no ad SDKs.
What it won’t do
- Hide or lock other apps. iOS doesn’t let any app do that; use Require Face ID for apps.
- Recover files without your code or recovery phrase. Nobody can, including us.
- Hide that Cubbylock is installed. Its icon is visible like any app.
Built-in iOS options vs Cubbylock
| Built into iOS | Cubbylock (in development) | |
|---|---|---|
| Files and PDFs in one place | No; PDFs lock one at a time | Designed for it |
| Code separate from iPhone passcode | Locked notes only | Designed for it |
| Encrypted backup | Locked notes and hidden photos via iCloud | Designed for it, optional |
| Cost | Free | Free download; pricing not set yet |
Read the full comparison of built-in options in secure folder on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cubbylock available yet?
Not yet. Cubbylock is in development. Join the early-access list to hear when it launches; there is no launch date yet.
What will I be able to store?
Cubbylock is designed to hold files from the Files app, photos and videos, documents you scan with the built-in scanner, and text notes.
Does Cubbylock need an account?
No. Cubbylock is designed to work without a sign-up or email address.
What if I forget my code?
You'll get a recovery phrase at setup. If you lose both the code and the recovery phrase, nobody can open your files, including us. That is the trade-off of real encryption.