Use Google Photos Locked Folder if your entire library already lives in Google’s cloud and you are comfortable unlocking it with your standard iPhone passcode. Choose Octoshield if you want a separate unlock secret from your iPhone passcode, zero Google/cloud accounts, local AES-256-GCM encryption for photos, videos, and PDFs, and a swipe-to-clean tool for your iPhone camera roll.
Feature-by-feature comparison
How Octoshield compares to Google Photos Locked Folder across file encryption, unlock methods, cloud exposure, document support, and camera roll cleanup.
| Security & Product Feature | Octoshield | Google Photos Locked Folder |
|---|---|---|
| Separate password from iPhone screen lockCan you set a custom vault secret different from your iPhone passcode? | Yes (PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern, or safe combination dial) | No (uses your iPhone system screen lock / passcode) |
| Account requirementWhether you must sign in with an online identity | No account, no email required | Requires a signed-in Google Account |
| Cloud upload & server storageWhere protected files can be stored | 100% local on iPhone; excluded from all backups | Supports backing up Locked Folder to Google cloud servers |
| Encryption architectureHow files are encrypted on your iPhone | Local AES-256-GCM chunked encryption + device-bound iOS Keychain key | Google Photos app container + Google cloud transport/storage encryption |
| PDF & general file encryptionProtect documents from the iOS Files app | Yes | Photos & videos only |
| Swipe-to-clean camera roll reviewSwipe left to delete, right to keep, up to vault | Yes | No |
| Unlock stylesAvailable lock interfaces | PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern, safe dial + optional Face ID / Touch ID | iOS Face ID / Touch ID / device passcode only |
| Independent of Apple Photos & Google Photos gridsSeparated from everyday photo browsing apps | Standalone encrypted vault app | Inside the Google Photos app under Collections → Locked |
| Deletion queue confirmationReview queued camera roll deletions before committing | Yes | Immediate move prompt |
| App switcher & capture protectionBlurs content in app switcher and obscures on detected capture | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-device cloud accessView locked items on other signed-in devices | No (strictly bound to this iPhone) | Yes (when Locked Folder cloud backup is turned on) |
| CostPricing model | Free download on the App Store | Free up to 15 GB shared Google Account storage; Google One subscription after |
Pricing & storage model
Octoshield
- AES-256-GCM encrypted photo, video & file vault
- PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern & safe combination dial locks
- Swipe-to-clean photo organizer (left delete, right keep, up vault)
- No account, no email, no Octoshield cloud servers
- Check the App Store listing for current version and optional purchase details
- Same local AES-256-GCM encryption architecture across the app
Google Photos Locked Folder
- Requires Google Account sign-in
- Backed-up Locked Folder items count toward your 15 GB Google storage limit (shared with Gmail and Drive)
- 100 GB to 2 TB+ cloud storage plans across Google services
Locked Folder still uses your iPhone’s regular passcode
Just like Apple’s Hidden album, Google Photos Locked Folder on iOS relies on your iPhone’s built-in screen lock. Anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open Google Photos, tap Locked Folder, bypass Face ID by entering the device passcode, and view everything inside.
Octoshield gives you a completely separate authentication secret—choose a PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern, or safe combination dial—so knowing your iPhone unlock code does not grant access to your vault.
Keeping private files off cloud accounts
Google Photos originally introduced Locked Folder as a device-only folder on Pixel phones, but later expanded it with cloud backup tied to your Google Account. If you accidentally enable backup during a prompt, your private photos are synced to Google’s cloud and accessible across other signed-in devices.
Octoshield requires no account, connects to no cloud servers, and marks its encrypted storage excluded from iCloud and computer backups. Your AES-256-GCM encrypted files never leave your iPhone.
Encrypting PDFs and cleaning Apple Photos
Google Photos only handles images and videos. Octoshield also encrypts PDFs and general files imported from the iOS Files picker, and includes Cleaner so you can swipe through your Apple Photos library card by card (left to delete, right to keep, up to vault).
Watch out for copies across both libraries
Whether you use Google Photos or Octoshield on an iPhone, remember that Apple Photos and iCloud Photos are separate from third-party apps. When you import a photo into Octoshield and approve removing the original from Apple Photos, also check Recently Deleted (and Google Photos if you had background sync enabled) to make sure no extra copies remain.
What Google Photos Locked Folder users run into
Common tradeoffs people experience with Google Photos Locked Folder—and how Octoshield’s local architecture handles each scenario.
“I wanted a separate password for Locked Folder, not the same 6-digit code that unlocks my phone.”
Octoshield approach: Octoshield lets you set a custom PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern, or combination dial completely independent of your iOS passcode.
“One tap on the backup prompt uploads my Locked Folder to my Google account where it counts against my Gmail storage.”
Octoshield approach: Octoshield has no cloud servers and never uploads your vault anywhere.
“Google Photos Locked Folder rejects PDF files and ID documents.”
Octoshield approach: Octoshield’s file vault imports and encrypts PDFs and arbitrary files using AES-256-GCM.
Frequently asked questions
01Can I set a separate PIN for Google Photos Locked Folder on iPhone?+
No. Google Photos Locked Folder uses your iPhone’s system screen lock. To lock photos with a separate PIN, passphrase, pattern, or dial, use Octoshield.
02Does Octoshield require a Google or Apple sign-in?+
No. Octoshield requires no account registration of any kind.
03If I delete a photo in Octoshield’s Cleaner, does it delete from Google Photos?+
Cleaner operates on your iPhone’s Apple Photos library (and iCloud Photos if synced). If Google Photos has already backed up a separate copy to Google’s servers, you must manage that Google cloud copy inside Google Photos.
04Can I recover Octoshield files on a new phone by signing in?+
No. Because Octoshield has no cloud account and binds encryption to your current iPhone, you must export your files before switching devices.
