# Create a vault on iPhone or iPad

> Choose a Files folder, password or security key, and an optional video carrier.

Document ID: phantom-help:phantomvault/create-vault-ios
Product: PhantomVault
Platforms: iOS
Updated: 2026-11-02
Availability: Preview-build instructions.
Tested app version: Not recorded
Tested build: Not recorded
Tested OS version: Not recorded

Source: https://llms.phantomsecure.app/phantomvault/create-vault-ios.md
Human guide: https://phantomsecure.app/help/phantomvault/create-vault-ios/
Agent guide: https://llms.phantomsecure.app/phantomvault/create-vault-ios/
Documentation index: https://phantomsecure.app/llms.txt
Full handbook: https://phantomsecure.app/llms-full.txt

## Start the three-step form

1. Open the **Vaults** library and choose **Create Vault**. If you already have vaults, open the **Add vault** plus menu to find it.
2. Under **Vault name**, enter a name you will recognize.
3. Choose **Storage capacity**: **64 MB**, **256 MB**, or **1 GB**. Reserve enough room for the files you plan to add.
4. If you want a movie carrier, tap **Choose a video** under **Optional video carrier** and select a movie from Files. **Remove Video** returns to a standard vault file. The source video stays unchanged.
5. Tap **Next**.

## Choose how to unlock

1. Set **Unlock with** to **Password** or **Security Key**.
2. For **Password**, enter at least 12 characters and repeat them in **Confirm password**.
3. For **Security Key**, have a compatible key ready. Choosing the option does not register it immediately; the system prompts appear after **Create**.
4. If wanted, turn on **Require iCloud Keychain**. This adds a required key in iCloud Keychain; it does not put the vault file in iCloud Drive for you.
5. Tap **Next**.

Keep the password or key safe. A device passcode cannot substitute for a vault security key, and PhantomVault cannot reset a forgotten vault password.

## Select the destination and create

1. Review **Your new vault**.
2. Tap **Save Location**, then **Choose Folder**.
3. In Apple's Files picker, choose a folder in **iCloud Drive**, **On My iPhone** or **On My iPad**, or another available provider.
4. Tap **Create**. For a security-key vault, complete Apple's connection, touch and any key-PIN prompts.
5. Wait for the vault to appear in the library, then unlock it with the method you selected.

The chosen document is the vault's continuing location. PhantomVault saves encrypted changes back there. A folder with an existing file of the same name needs another name or destination; creation does not overwrite it.

## What happens if you leave the app

Backgrounding closes the creation form and clears entered passwords. Start creation again if you left before it completed. A camera, key or Files prompt belongs to the system; follow or cancel that prompt rather than entering its credentials elsewhere.

See [Files locations and reconnecting](https://phantomsecure.app/help/phantomvault/files-locations-ios.md) for saving behavior and [backup and transfer](https://phantomsecure.app/help/phantomvault/backup-transfer.md) before opening the vault on another device.