Photo Vault Apps for iPhone with a One-Time Payment: How to Find Them
A photo vault is something you expect to use for years. Paying every week or every year for it can feel wrong, and many people search for a vault they can buy once. Here is how to find one, and what to check before you pay.
How to see if an app has a lifetime option
You do not need to install the app to find out.
- Open the app's page in the App Store.
- Scroll down to Information, then tap In-App Purchases.
- Look for an item with Lifetime, Forever or One-time in its name, next to its price.
If every item in that list says Weekly, Monthly or Yearly, the app is subscription only.
What to check before paying once
A one-time payment only makes sense if the app will still protect your files properly years from now.
- Encryption you can read about. The developer should describe the algorithm (for example AES-256) and how your code becomes a key.
- No hidden subscription inside the lifetime plan. Check whether storage, backup or extra vaults still need a subscription.
- No support back door. If the developer can reset your vault by email, so can someone who fools support. A recovery phrase only you hold, or no recovery at all (the Units choice), keeps that door shut.
- Recent updates. On the App Store page, look at Version History. A vault that has not been updated in a long time may not keep up with iOS changes.
What Units costs
Units is free for as many vaults as you like, with 50 photos, 10 videos and 10 notes in each. Pro removes those limits and adds the emergency pattern. There is one plan:
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Pro Lifetime | $32.99 once (the App Store shows the price in your currency) |
There is no subscription and no free trial to cancel. The vault does not depend on any server we run, so there is no ongoing cost on our side that a subscription would need to cover.
A note on prices
App Store prices vary by country and can change. Units Pro Lifetime is $32.99 in the US, and Apple sets the equivalent price in each other country. Your App Store always shows the current price for your region.