---
title: How to move photos into a vault without leaving copies behind
canonical: https://mavaul.com/guides/move-photos-to-vault-without-copies/
description: Importing a photo into a vault doesn't remove the copies in Photos, Recently Deleted, iCloud and Messages. A checklist for moving private photos so no copy is left behind.
format: text/markdown
generator: scripts/generate-llms.js
---
# Move photos into a vault without leaving copies

_By [Diogo Ferreira](/about/), founder & engineer_

Importing a photo into a vault copies it. The original is still in Photos, and deleting it puts it in Recently Deleted for about 30 days, still syncing to iCloud. Copies also live in Messages and shared albums. Here's how to move a photo and leave nothing behind.

## The checklist
1. Import into the vault. In Mavaul, add photos from your library. They're encrypted with AES-256 as they arrive.
2. Delete the originals. Mavaul offers to do it right after the import.
3. Open Photos → Recently Deleted and delete them there too.
4. If the photo came from a chat, delete it in that conversation. Deleting from Photos doesn't touch Messages or WhatsApp.
5. Check Shared Albums and any iCloud Shared Photo Library.

## Things that catch people out
- iCloud-only originals. With Optimize iPhone Storage on, open the photo in Photos first so the full version downloads.
- Screenshots and screen recordings land in Photos like any other image.
- Other devices on your Apple Account sync the deletion, so that's covered once Recently Deleted is empty.

## Questions
### Does deleting a photo on iPhone delete it from iCloud?
Yes, with iCloud Photos on. It goes to Recently Deleted on every device for about 30 days, unless you delete it there.

### Does Mavaul delete the originals for me?
After an import it asks whether to delete them from your gallery. They still go to Recently Deleted, so empty that too.

### Can I import videos?
Yes. Photos and videos.

## Sources
- [Apple Support: How to recover deleted photos](https://support.apple.com/en-us/124460)
- [Apple Support: Set up and use iCloud Photos](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108782)

## Read next
- [Are hidden photos saved to iCloud?](/guides/are-hidden-photos-saved-to-icloud/)
- [My passport is in my camera roll](/scenarios/id-documents-camera-roll/)
- [How to hide photos on iPhone](/guides/how-to-hide-photos-iphone/)

## Try Mavaul
[Download Mavaul on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/pt/app/mavaul-photo-video-vault/id6759567727?l=en-GB)