Changing iPhones? Check your photo vault before erasing the old phone

A careful migration checklist for local vaults, purchases, backups, and verification.

PhotoSafe Team · Reviewed 2026-10-31

Keep the old phone until verification is complete

A newly installed app icon does not prove that your vault files and access credentials transferred. Keep the old phone intact and accessible while you check the new device. Do not use a trade-in deadline as the first time you test recovery.

Separate Apple transfer from app-specific recovery

Apple provides Quick Start and backup-based transfer options. Their availability does not guarantee that a particular vault’s keys and files will work on a new phone. Read the vault’s own instructions and ask support about the installed version before you begin.

Confirm your access and safe copies

Check that you know the vault PIN and can open important images on the old device. Keep separate safe copies where appropriate, using only the app’s supported export or backup workflow. Do not assume PhotoSafe offers cloud synchronization or a developer-operated recovery service.

Verify the new phone before retiring the old one

After the supported transfer, open the vault, authenticate, and inspect actual images rather than only thumbnails. Confirm album organization and the items you most need. Resolve missing files or access problems while the old device is still available.

Restore purchases separately

An eligible purchase may be restored with the Apple account that bought it, through the app’s restore flow. That does not replace checking your photo files. If you are unsure how PhotoSafe handles your specific migration, contact support before erasing or uninstalling anything.

Sources

Download PhotoSafe for iPhone

Free download · Optional in-app purchases.