# Media Den - Private Vault — Encrypt & store in your cloud

> Encrypted personal media vault with user-controlled cloud storage and secure local sharing. (iPhone/iPad app by Ryan West.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/media-den-private-vault/id6761245161 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ryan West](https://appshunter.io/developer/1888372299)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), Chinese (Simplified, China), Latin American Spanish
- Released: 2026-04-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/media-den-private-vault/id6761245161/reviews.md

## What is Media Den?

Your photos are personal. Media Den keeps them that way — encrypting everything with AES-256 before it ever reaches your cloud. No ads. No tracking. No backdoors. Just your media, in your hands.

Unlike other photo vault apps, Media Den never routes your files through a shared server. Every file is encrypted on your device before it ever touches the network, then sent directly to your own storage account. Only you hold the key.

- End-to-End Encryption
Every file is encrypted with AES-256-GCM using a key derived from your password via PBKDF2 (600,000 iterations) — both algorithms standardized by NIST (SP 800-38D and SP 800-132). Even if someone accessed your cloud storage directly, they would see only opaque encrypted blobs — unreadable without your password.

- Your Storage, Your Rules
Connect Media Den to your existing Amazon S3 bucket, Google Drive account, or iCloud Drive. You own the data, you choose where it lives, and you can walk away at any time with your files intact. There is no Media Den server in the loop.

- Cloud Replication and Migration
Attach a second cloud as a replica and Media Den mirrors every upload automatically in the background. When you're ready to switch, promote the replica to primary in one tap — no re-uploading, no downtime. Move from S3 to Google Drive, iCloud to S3, or any combination without ever re-encrypting or re-importing your library.

- Nearby Share
Send photos and videos directly to someone nearby over your local network — no cloud upload, no internet required. Media Den uses end-to-end encryption with a Curve25519 key exchange and AES-256-GCM to secure every transfer. Each session generates a fresh set of encryption keys that are never reused or stored, so past transfers stay private even if a device is later compromised. To guard against interception, both devices display a matching 6-digit verification code derived from the session key — if the codes match, the connection is genuine. Shared media never touches an external server.

- Export and Share
Decrypt and save files back to your camera roll at any time, or share them directly with any app via the standard iOS share sheet. You decide what leaves the vault.

- No Tracking or Telemetry
Media Den collects no analytics, telemetry, crash reports, or usage data of any kind. There are no third-party SDKs phoning home, no logging of what you import or view, and no account required. Your usage stays entirely on your device.

- PIN Lock and Privacy Screen
Protect access to your vault with a PIN. A privacy overlay automatically hides your content whenever the app leaves the foreground — nothing is visible in the app switcher or on-screen during phone calls.

- Metadata Stripped at Import
GPS coordinates, device model, timestamps, and other identifying EXIF and XMP metadata are stripped from photos automatically when you import them. Your location and device details stay off your files by default.

- Key Rotation
Change your encryption key at any time. Media Den re-encrypts every stored file with the new key, keeping your vault current without losing access to anything.

- Import from Camera Roll or Camera
Import photos, videos, and Live Photos from your existing camera roll, or capture new ones directly in-app. A progress overlay keeps you informed as files are encrypted and uploaded one by one. Optionally delete from the camera roll after import.

- Organized with Folders
Keep your media tidy with folders. Create as many as you need, move items between them, and browse your library in a clean three-column grid. Folder names are stored encrypted too.

## Key features

- End-to-end AES-256 encryption
- Connect to personal cloud storage (S3, Google Drive, iCloud)
- Cloud replication and migration
- Secure nearby sharing over local network
- Metadata stripping on import
- PIN lock and privacy screen

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual | $9.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/media-den-private-vault/id6761245161/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Secured Way To Backup your Media

*2026-04-27*

This app is a sleek, secure vault for your most sensitive photos, videos, and files. The app removes metadata from photos before you back it up.  If your goal is to reclaim your privacy and keep your personal media tucked away behind a reliable digital lock, this is a good choice to use and download.

### 5/5 — Real privacy, no shortcuts

*2026-04-13*

Finally, a vault that actually encrypts before upload and lets me use my own cloud (Google Drive/iCloud). No tracking, no shared servers, and it strips metadata automatically. The PIN lock and privacy screen give real peace of mind. Essential for anyone serious about keeping sensitive media safe.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback - glad you are enjoying the app.

## Frequently asked questions about Media Den

### Does Media Den have ads?

No, Media Den is completely ad-free. The app is designed with a strong focus on user privacy and does not contain any advertisements.

### How secure is Media Den's encryption?

Media Den uses robust AES-256-GCM encryption, standardized by NIST. This encryption is applied on your device before data is sent to the cloud, ensuring only you can access your files with your password.

### What cloud storage services can I use with Media Den?

You can connect Media Den to your existing Amazon S3 bucket, Google Drive account, or iCloud Drive. This allows you to store your encrypted media in a location you already control.

### Can I transfer files between different cloud services using Media Den?

Yes, Media Den supports cloud replication and migration. You can set up a replica cloud storage and easily switch between services like S3, Google Drive, and iCloud without re-encrypting or re-importing your library.

### How does Media Den protect my privacy?

Media Den strips identifying metadata like GPS coordinates from photos upon import. It also collects no analytics, telemetry, or usage data, and requires no account, ensuring your activity remains private.

### What is the age rating for Media Den?

Media Den has an age rating of 12+. This indicates it is suitable for users aged 12 and older, considering its content and features.

### How often is Media Den updated?

The latest version of Media Den is 1.8.0, which was last updated on July 8, 2026. Updates typically include new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.

### Can I share photos securely with someone nearby using Media Den?

Yes, Media Den features Nearby Share, which allows you to send photos and videos directly to someone on your local network without needing an internet connection or cloud upload. Transfers are secured with end-to-end encryption.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9.0 — 2026-08-20

Added
- Metadata stripping now applies to videos and Live Photos on import: location, recording date, and device information are removed according to your settings (previously photos only). Stripped Live Photos keep playing and exporting as Live Photos.

### 1.8.0 — 2026-07-08

Added
- Added a way to recover from a forgotten PIN. After repeated failed attempts, the lock screen now offers to reset the app so you can set it up again. Resetting removes the vault from this device; your photos stay safe in your storage (protected by your encryption key or storage credentials) and can be reconnected later. Important caveat for unencrypted iCloud vaults: without an encryption key, nothing would stop someone who later sets up the app on this device from reopening your photos. To protect your privacy, resetting an unencrypted iCloud vault permanently deletes those photos from iCloud rather than leaving them exposed. The app makes this consequence clear and requires your explicit confirmation before anything is deleted.
- Vault settings, storage credentials, and the app PIN are now stored encrypted, protected by keys that never leave your device's Secure Enclave. Unlocking the app starts with a quick Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode check before the PIN pad. Existing vaults are upgraded automatically and safely on first launch.

Changed
- A device passcode is now required to use the vault. If your device has no passcode, the app explains what to do and waits until one is set.

Fixed
- Fixed a rare case where completing a purchase might not unlock Pro features right away.

### 1.7.0 — 2026-06-30

Added
- Added a metadata viewer: open any photo, Live Photo, or video and tap Metadata (or "View Metadata" in the video menu) to inspect the location, timestamp, device, camera, and file details currently attached to it, with a red or green dot showing whether each field has a value.

Changed
- Opening a photo or video from the library now zooms it open from its thumbnail, and zooms back to that spot when you close it, instead of sliding in from the side.

### 1.6.1 — 2026-06-25

Made several performance improvements so browsing folders, scrolling thumbnails, and opening photos and videos stay smooth and responsive, including on a cold cache and with large videos.

### 1.6.0 — 2026-06-16

Added:
- You can now use Media Den in French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese, selectable from a new Language option in Settings → General.

Fixed:
- Fixed the photo controls (Share, Save to Roll, Move, Delete) not appearing at the bottom of the full-screen viewer for regular photos. Live Photos and videos were unaffected.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*