Create a vault on iPhone or iPad

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 for saving behavior and backup and transfer before opening the vault on another device.