Choose what to protect
Connect your photo library and add any Files folders you want included.
ArchiveVault
✓ Official support
Your memories deserve a backup you can understand.
ArchiveVault helps you copy original photos, videos, and chosen files to storage you control—then clearly shows what is protected and what still needs attention.
For the fastest help, include your device model, OS version, and ArchiveVault version. Never attach personal media.
YOUR PERSONAL MEDIA ARCHIVE
+ChooseYour library
↻CompareWhat changed
✓VerifyEvery copy
▣
Storage you controlOrganized, checked, and ready
What to expect
A calm, clear backup experience
Back up only what is needed
ArchiveVault compares your library with your archive before enabling backup.
Know every copy is safe
Each copied file is verified. Integrity Check can find and repair damaged copies.
Stay up to date
Pause and resume safely, follow progress from the widget, and receive reminders when media is waiting.
Quick start
Your first backup
ArchiveVault performs a one-way backup. It never deletes originals from your phone or tablet.
- 1Connect your library
Allow access to the photos and videos you want ArchiveVault to see.
- 2Choose a destination
Select an external drive, a local Files folder, or a compatible SMB network share.
- 3Review and back up
ArchiveVault shows the items waiting, copies them, and verifies every completed file.
- 4Reconnect when needed
Refresh the library later to find new items. Verified files are not copied again.
Common questions
Troubleshooting
Why is the backup button disabled?
Reconnect the saved drive, folder, or SMB share, then refresh the library. ArchiveVault keeps backup disabled while the destination is unavailable.
What if manifest.csv is deleted?
ArchiveVault can rebuild verified records from its local catalogue when the destination files still match. Your media files remain the source of truth.
Why can a Live Photo count as two files?
On iPhone, a Live Photo contains an image and a short video. ArchiveVault counts one library item but verifies both original files.
What does Integrity Check do?
It reads backed-up files, confirms their contents, and recreates missing or damaged copies when the original is available.
Can I use network storage?
Yes. ArchiveVault can discover and connect directly to a compatible SMB2 or SMB3 share, tests write access before backup, and stores the password in Apple Keychain.
Can a backup continue while the device is locked?
ArchiveVault uses the background time available on your device. For very large backups, keep the app open and the device powered; reopening safely reconciles completed files.
What does the widget show?
The iOS widget shows running or paused backup progress. When idle, it shows the latest successful backup and last known pending count.
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Privacy
Your archive stays yours.
ArchiveVault does not require an account, collect analytics, track you, or upload your media to an ArchiveVault cloud service.
Photo library
Access is used to show backup status and read originals selected for backup.
Files and destinations
ArchiveVault accesses only the source folders and local, external, or SMB destination you choose.
SMB credentials
If you configure an SMB share, its credentials are stored in the Apple Keychain on your device and used only to connect to that share.
Local network discovery
Bonjour discovery can list SMB servers on your local network. Results remain on the device and are not sent to the developer.
Backup records
Technical records such as file names, sizes, dates, checksums, device identifiers, and backup results are kept on your device and in the selected archive destination.
Notifications
Optional reminders are scheduled on your device when new media may be waiting for backup.
Background processing and widget
iOS may give ArchiveVault background time to count new media, evaluate reminders, and refresh its widget. Progress, backup time, and pending counts are shared with the widget through an on-device Apple App Group.
App update check
ArchiveVault may send its public app identifier and storefront country to Apple’s public App Store lookup service. No media, archive records, credentials, or installation identifier are included.
Retention and deletion
ArchiveVault keeps local settings, records, widget state, and a cached required-update result until you remove them or delete the app. Backup files and records remain at your destination until you delete them.
Your choices
You can limit Photos access, remove selected Files folders, change the destination, disable reminders, and remove saved SMB credentials by deleting that destination.
Security
ArchiveVault verifies copied files with SHA-256. Network security also depends on your SMB server and the connection options it supports.
Third-party software
SMB support uses AMSMB2 under the MIT License and libsmb2 under the LGPL-2.1-or-later license.
Children and changes
ArchiveVault is not directed to children and knowingly collects no personal data. Material privacy changes will be posted on this page.
Privacy information effective October 1, 2026.