Open source

Your private files aren't as private as you think.

ArkWarden encrypts everything on your device. Pattern unlock uses your pattern and your iPhone's Secure Enclave. No account. No ads. No personal identifier.

Scan to download ArkWarden
Install on iPhone. Point your camera at the code.
Download on the App Store
See how it works
9:41

Draw your pattern to unlock

Ark the raven mascot pointing at the pattern lock
No personal data collected
Designed for privacy
Open source
Works with your preferred two-factor authentication method
Face ID & Touch ID
6-digit PIN
YubiKey over NFC
The problem

You have files you do not
want anyone else to see.

/01

Device security is not file security

Unlocking your phone gives access to almost everything on it. There is no separate protection for your most sensitive files.

/02

Hidden does not mean protected

The Hidden album and most vault apps only move files out of view. The data itself stays readable to anyone who can access the device storage.

/03

Your data should stay yours

Files synced to the cloud are stored on infrastructure you do not own, and you cannot directly verify who has access to it.

How it works

Your files, encrypted by you.

ArkWarden encrypts your files with a master key on your device. You unlock with a pattern backed by your iPhone's Secure Enclave. Without that, no one can read your files: not us, not Apple, and not anyone who only has a copy of the data.

1

Draw your pattern

Connect dots on a grid to create your unlock pattern. Your pattern and your iPhone unlock the master key for your vault.

2

Save your recovery phrase

Write down your recovery words and keep them somewhere safe. They restore access if you forget your pattern, and they restore your vault on a new iPhone.

3

Import your files

Bring in photos, videos, documents, and audio. Each file is encrypted the moment it enters the vault.

Features

Built for privacy.
Designed for daily use.

No. 01

Real encryption

Every file is encrypted individually using AES-256-GCM through Apple's CryptoKit. Without your pattern or recovery phrase, the data is unreadable. No one can access your files without one of them.

No. 02

Pattern unlock

Draw a pattern instead of typing a password. Your pattern helps unlock the master key, with Secure Enclave protection on your iPhone.

No. 03

Two-factor authentication

Add another authentication step with Face ID, a 6-digit PIN, or a YubiKey over NFC.

No. 04

Wing: a second vault with a second pattern

A different pattern opens a different vault with its own files and appearance. Keep your main vault hidden when you need to give someone your unlocked phone.

No. 05

Recovery phrase

A 12 or 24-word recovery phrase helps you regain access if you forget your pattern. It is shown once and stored only by you.

No. 06

On-device privacy

No account. No server. No cloud sync. No file analytics. Your files stay on your device and under your control.

No. 07

Backup & Restore

Back up your vault to iCloud or export it as a file. Every backup is encrypted with your recovery phrase before it leaves your phone. Off by default.

No. 08

Folders and categories

Create folders within each category. Drag files into folders or import them directly into folders, and keep your vault organized as it grows.

No. 09

Intruder Detection

Optional and off by default. After 3, 5, or 10 wrong pattern attempts, ArkWarden takes an encrypted front-camera photo you can review in Settings.

Under pressure

Someone says,
“Open your vault.”
So you do.

A locked folder can make people think that you are hiding something. A disguised app stops helping as soon as someone discovers it. If someone asks whether you have shown all your files, these methods do not give you a clear answer.

ArkWarden gives you a second real vault instead. With Wing, your main pattern opens your main vault, and a separate Wing pattern opens the Wing vault. Each vault has its own name, its own files, and its own folders. When someone asks you to unlock the app, you draw the Wing pattern, and the Wing vault opens. It contains real files in real folders.

The app never shows how many vaults you have. There is no list of vaults and no label that marks one vault as a decoy. If you draw a pattern that does not match any vault, the grid simply resets, in the same way it does for a wrong pattern. Nothing ArkWarden shows reveals that a second vault exists.

You did not delete anything, and you did not lie. You opened one vault and showed what was inside it. The other vault stayed hidden.
Ark the raven standing confidently
Proven security

Built on trusted
security standards.

ArkWarden is built with established cryptographic standards and Apple's security technologies. It uses methods that have been tested and trusted for years.

Open source

Read the code that
protects your files.

The encryption that protects your files is open source. The code that unlocks your vault, encrypts your files, and stores keys on your device is public. You can read the code yourself, or ask someone you trust to check it.

What people say

Peace of mind,
in their words.

Ark the raven meditating peacefully

"Now when someone asks to borrow my phone, I don't have that moment of panic anymore."

J
James K.

"Some photos are personal. Not embarrassing, just personal. I like keeping them separate."

L
Lena R.

"I occasionally have client documents on my phone. I sleep better knowing they're not mixed in with everything else."

D
David T.
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Can ArkWarden see my files?
No. Files are encrypted on your device with a master key that never leaves your phone. There is no ArkWarden server and no account. We cannot access your files.
Do I need to create an account?
No. There is no sign-up, no email, no password. The app works fully offline.
Is ArkWarden open source?
The encryption that protects your files is open source. The code that unlocks your vault, encrypts your files, and stores keys on your device is public. You can read the code yourself, or ask someone you trust to check it. Wing is an optional second vault; how it works is described on the Wing page, not in the repository. See the open source page.
What second factors does ArkWarden support?
Three options can be added to your pattern: biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID), a 6-digit PIN, or a YubiKey hardware security key tapped via NFC. You choose one in settings, or none, if the pattern alone is enough for you.
What happens if I forget my pattern?
During setup, ArkWarden generates a BIP-39 recovery phrase. Enter it on the lock screen to unlock your vault and set a new pattern. Without your pattern and your phrase, the vault cannot be opened by anyone.
What is the Wing?
Wing is an optional second vault with its own pattern. It has its own name, color, and files. If someone asks you to open your vault, you can open the Wing instead and your main vault stays hidden.
Can I store unlimited files in ArkWarden?
Yes. ArkWarden does not limit how many files you can store. The only limit is your iPhone's available storage.
Can I organize files into folders inside the vault?
Yes. You can create unlimited folders within each category: photos, videos, documents, and audio. You can drag files into folders and rename folders at any time. Folders are encrypted with everything else.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, anytime through your App Store subscription settings. You keep access until the end of the billing period. The lifetime plan is a single payment with no subscription at all.
Learn more

Guides and comparisons.

Ark the raven waving

Your private files deserve extra protection.

Encrypt the files you want to keep private.

Scan to download ArkWarden
Install on iPhone. Point your camera at the code.
Download on the App Store