FILES · 3 NOVEMBER 2026
Where to keep passport and ID scans on your iPhone
Why not the camera roll?
A passport photo in your Photos library syncs to iCloud, can appear in Memories and widgets, shows up when you share your screen, and is one tap away from anyone who unlocks your phone. Text recognition in Photos also makes it findable by searching for words like "passport".
Good options
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Locked note with a separate password | A few documents you also need on your Mac | Syncs to iCloud; note titles are visible |
| Files app, locked with Face ID | Documents you open often | Your device passcode opens it |
| Encrypted vault | Documents you rarely need and must not leak | You are responsible for the backup |
| Digital ID in Apple Wallet, where available | Showing ID in person | Not a substitute for a copy of the document |
Scanning straight into a vault
The safest scan is one that never touches your Photos library:
- Open Vaultage and unlock your vault.
- Tap + → Take photo and photograph the document.
- It is encrypted as soon as it is captured and never appears in Photos.
If you already have a PDF scan, import it with + → Import files, then delete the original from Files and its Recently Deleted folder.
Text in the scan is recognised on your device, so you can search the vault for "passport" after you unlock it. The search index stays encrypted inside the vault.
Sending a copy safely
When a company asks for your ID, export only the one you need, send it through their official upload page rather than email where possible, and delete the exported copy afterwards. An exported file is not protected by the vault.
Keep a backup
Losing your phone should not mean losing your documents. Make an encrypted backup and keep it somewhere safe, separate from the phone.