ArkWarden encrypts photos, videos, documents, and audio files on your iPhone. There is no ArkWarden account and no ArkWarden server. Nothing leaves your device unless you choose to enable an optional, encrypted backup yourself.
How it works
The vault unlocks with a pattern you draw, not the iPhone passcode. That pattern runs through PBKDF2 with a vault-specific salt, then combines with a secret held inside your iPhone's Secure Enclave, a separate security chip that never exposes its key. Every file is then encrypted with AES-256-GCM. If you forget your pattern, a 12 or 24 word recovery phrase generated on your device can restore access. Neither the pattern nor the recovery phrase is ever sent anywhere.
Multi factor authentication
ArkWarden supports multi factor authentication (2FA): Face ID, Touch ID, a PIN, or a registered YubiKey over NFC, checked after your pattern unlocks the vault. Biometrics never leave your device, and none of these replace the pattern.
Open source
ArkWarden's core encryption code is open source and published on GitHub, so the actual protection mechanism is there to inspect.
Why ArkWarden
Most photo vault apps on the App Store either lock the screen without encrypting the files themselves, or only encrypt an optional cloud backup while leaving files unprotected on the device. ArkWarden encrypts the files directly, on the device, under a key that only your pattern or your recovery phrase can unlock.
A second, fully independent vault called Wing is available for anyone who wants to keep a separate set of files behind its own separate pattern.
Privacy by design
ArkWarden focuses solely on user privacy. There is no account creation, no email address, no sign in screen, and no personal identifier collected. The app works entirely offline for its core function.
Quick Answers
Does ArkWarden need an account?
No. There is no ArkWarden account, no email required, and no ArkWarden server.
What encryption does ArkWarden use?
AES-256-GCM for every file, ChaCha20-Poly1305 for the vault's index metadata, and PBKDF2 with a Secure Enclave secret to protect the master key.
Is ArkWarden open source?
The core encryption code is open source on GitHub. It covers file encryption, master key protection, and the recovery path.
What happens if I forget my pattern?
A recovery phrase generated on your device, 12 or 24 words, can restore access. It is never transmitted anywhere.
Does ArkWarden support multi factor authentication?
Yes. Face ID, Touch ID, a PIN, or a registered YubiKey over NFC can each be added for 2FA, checked after your pattern.
Can I back up my vault?
An optional encrypted backup, off by default, can be sent to iCloud or saved as a file. It is encrypted on the device before it leaves the phone.
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