Comparison

Photo/Message Lock vs Black Box

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Photo/Message Lock

Securely store private photos, videos, and messages in a personal cloud vault. Protect your sensitive data with multi-factor authentication and biometric unlock options. Easily import chats from popular messaging apps.

Highlights
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Cloud storage for private data
  • Import chats from WhatsApp and Line
  • Biometric unlock (TouchID, FaceID)
  • Optional cloud syncing
  • Password recovery via multi-factor authentication
Features
Read full description

Have messages, photos or videos that are so private you want to keep on a separate safe cloud only you could access? This app is for you! The only app that enables multi-factor authentication to access your cloud stored private data! Easily backup your popular application's messages (including videos, photos etc) in the cloud securely and safely. Currently fully support importing chats from WhatsApp and Line. Other chats, photos & videos could be imported manually. Make any of your conversation, photos or videos private easily and keep those behind a lock only you have access to. You can unlock your saved chats, photos or videos using TouchID, FaceID or a passcode (depend on your device capability) Store all your private conversations, photos and videos on a secure cloud which could be unlocked by you only. Syncing your data with our cloud and login is optional. If you decide to store your data in our cloud and you forget your password you can restore it by multiple factor authentications so you would have access to this private data always. To have access to the cloud data you would need to have access to the email and phone number you have provided. Important: The app doesn't add a lock to the original app, it is used to store your sensitive data and chats in a safe cloud. It is your responsibility to delete those chats from the original device. ----------------------------------- Information about the auto-renewable nature of the subscription - If you want to use our service, we offer you cloud archiving service. With subscribing you will get 10GB cloud disk space. - Subscription period is monthly or yearly. Every month or year your subscription renews. - Prices for subscriptions depends on which package you choose and will be seen in payment screen. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. - You can cancel your subscription via this url: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 - Privacy policy: http://privacy.safecloudapp.com - Term of use: http://tos.safecloudapp.com - Subscription Information : http://subscription.safecloudapp.com ----------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Unofficial Product. Any product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks or images featured or referred to within this app are the property of their respective trademark holders. Any of these trademark holders are not affiliated with us, our products, or our apps. They do not sponsor or endorse this app or any of our online products. Get updates also on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SafeCloudApp

About

Black Box

Secure your phone by locking and restricting access to sensitive applications. Protect your private data with advanced password protection and prevent unauthorized app usage or in-app purchases. Enjoy comprehensive digital privacy with an easy-to-use interface.

Highlights
  • App locking with password protection
  • App disappearance for hidden access
  • App usage restrictions
  • Secure privacy with advanced passwords
  • Payment locking for in-app purchases
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

Black Box: Easily lock and restrict apps, protect your private data with one click. Secure your phone with a password. 100% safe and private! Don't want others to see your privacy? Use our lock and restrict features to keep your apps and data hidden from others. Try this most secure app lock and give your phone 100% privacy protection. 【Key Features】 App Locking: Set password protection for sensitive apps like social media, photo galleries, etc., protecting your privacy anytime, anywhere. App Disappearance: No one but you can find your apps unless you actively reveal them. App Restrictions: Limit app installation, deletion, in-app purchases, control app visibility everywhere, and lock app usage. Secure Privacy: The app lock features advanced security passwords, helping you lock apps and prevent others from casually viewing in-app data. Payment Locking: Lock App Store in-app purchases to avoid accidental payments or prevent your children from buying games. 【Why Choose Black Box?】 100% Safe and Reliable: Uses advanced encryption technology Easy to Use: Intuitive interface design, effortless to get started Comprehensive Protection: Guards your privacy from apps to files Continuous Updates: We constantly improve features to provide you with the best experience Download Black Box now and enjoy true digital privacy! Your encouragement drives our progress! Stay tuned for more powerful features coming soon. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions while using the app, please feel free to provide feedback within the app. blackbox@whohub.cn Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://blackbox.whohub.cn/policy/privacy Use the most reliable app lock to protect your privacy, easily safeguard your digital privacy. Use the app lock to lock apps or protect apps from being discovered, ensuring your security.

Screenshots

Photo/Message Lock4 screens
Black Box4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Black Box at none against Photo/Message Lock's 2. Black Box also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). Photo/Message Lock's advantage is ratings volume (787 vs 37) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Photo/Message Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Black Box asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Black Box holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photo/Message Lock has 787 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Photo/Message Lock's written reviews are positive against 67% of Black Box's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, Black Box every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Photo/Message Lock versus Black Box: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoto/Message LockBlack Box
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (787 ratings)4.8 (37 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.2% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings787 — better37
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShesek LLC俊涛 刘

Customer experience

Photo/Message Lock

All ratings787 ratings
Positive84.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive43.2%
Neutral6.8%
Negative50.0%

Black Box

All ratings37 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral5.4%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Photo/Message Lock

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Data loss issues
  • Subscription management problems

Requested features

2 requests
  • Expand chat app support beyond WhatsApp
  • Add password recovery option

Black Box

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Photo/Message Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium subscription7 Days trial$59.991 Year
None

Black Box

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Photo/Message Lock free?
Photo/Message Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Black Box free?
Black Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Photo/Message Lock or Black Box?
Black Box is rated higher. Photo/Message Lock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 787 ratings, while Black Box averages 4.8 from 37 ratings.
Do Photo/Message Lock or Black Box have ads?
Neither Photo/Message Lock nor Black Box shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Photo/Message Lock or Black Box?
Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, and Black Box every 3 days. Most recently, Photo/Message Lock was updated on September 23, 2026 and Black Box on August 28, 2026.

Other comparisons