--- title: Mavaul vs iPhone Hidden Album | Privacy Comparison canonical: https://mavaul.com/mavaul-vs-hidden-album/ description: Compare Mavaul with the iPhone Hidden Album: encryption, biometric lock behavior, local-first privacy, and controls for private photos and videos. updated: Comparison updated: February 16, 2026 format: text/markdown generator: scripts/generate-llms.js --- # Mavaul vs iPhone Hidden Album _Comparison updated: February 16, 2026_ ## Different goals The iPhone Hidden Album is mainly an organization feature for iOS, not a separate encrypted vault. Mavaul is positioned as a private vault workflow for AES-256 encryption, private photo and video protection, and controlled access across iOS and Android. ## Encryption and storage posture Mavaul is designed around AES-256 encrypted, local-first private gallery storage for photos and videos. Users evaluating any privacy tool should verify where media is stored, whether media receives app-level encryption, and whether cloud sync is part of the default path. ## Access control flow Mavaul emphasizes Face ID or passcode gating with a vault-specific experience. For private photos and videos, predictable lock behavior and strong access boundaries are key. ## Sharing model Mavaul supports optional local WiFi casting for in-network viewing. That model can reduce reliance on internet transport while keeping sharing decisions in user control. ## Bottom line If your primary concern is privacy-first handling of private photos and videos, evaluate tools by encryption, lock behavior, local-first architecture, and clear policy language. See [Privacy](/privacy/) and [Terms](/terms/).