Reviewed October 30, 2026 · Kinori Labs editorial

Keep the current installation intact

Migration is easiest while the old app still opens. Confirm you know its credential and can read the files before changing subscriptions, devices or accounts. Export formats matter: ordinary media files are widely readable, while an encrypted archive may require the same app or a documented compatible reader. Keep both purposes in mind when deciding what to save.

Check originals rather than thumbnails

Export a representative selection first. Open the resulting photo at full resolution, play the video with sound and inspect every page of a document. Verify the destination contains actual files rather than links or previews. Look at dimensions, duration and size when quality matters. An export can be usable while still changing metadata or compression, so compare the properties important to your collection.

Treat plaintext as a new exposure

An ordinary exported photo may now appear in Files, Photos, a sharing extension or another app’s recent items. Choose a destination deliberately and understand its synchronization settings. An encrypted archive can reduce exposure in storage, but only if the archive is actually encrypted and you retain its secret. Do not leave an unencrypted migration folder behind because the transfer succeeded.

Delete last

Confirm the new destination contains everything, keep a separate backup and perform a restore test where supported. Only then remove the old app or originals. Apple notes that photo deletion can propagate through iCloud Photos and that Recently Deleted has its own retention behavior; review that before cleaning up. Vaultary’s product principle is continued access to existing files regardless of payment. That is a development requirement to verify, not a promise about any competitor’s export or subscription policy.

Primary source

Apple’s official documentation. System behavior varies by software version and settings. Review the current instructions on your device.

How we’re approaching Vaultary · Our recovery principles

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