# Helpdesk
Check the Privary Helpdesk for tips & tricks on your entirely secure Privary Photovault and Videovault . Use the menu 
from the top left to view all topics.
### General
* [**Create a Vault**](/create-your-vault)
* [**Protect Photos**](/import-photos)
* [**Protect Videos**](/import-videos)
* [**Protect Documents**](/import-documents)
* [**Create Folders**](/create-folders)
* [**Create Private Notes**](/create-private-notes)
* [**Organize and Sort**](/organize-and-sort)
* [**Password Recovery**](/password/password-recovery)
### Backup and Restore
* [**Create backups**](/backup-your-vault)
* [**Copy to a new device**](/backup-your-vault#i-have-a-new-phone)
### Extended Protection
* [**Activate Fingerprint**](/general/activate-fingerprint)
* [**Face / Iris Recognition**](/general/activate-face-iris-login)
* [**Catch Intruders**](/general/catch-intruders)
* [**Make Privary invisible**](/general/hide-the-app)
* [**Activate Cloudbackup**](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud)
* [**Create a Second Vault (Fake Vault)**](/general/create-a-second-vault-fake-vault)
* [**Activate the SD-Card**](/general/use-the-sd-card)
* [**Design & Styling**](/general/design-and-effects)
* [**Find duplicates**](/general/find-duplicates)
### Maximum Security
* [**Read why Privary is more secure than similar apps**](/general/privary-vs-other-apps)
* [**Maximize your Security Level**](/tips-and-tricks/increase-your-security-level)
Use the menu from the top left to view all topics.
# Create Your Vault
Time to protect your privacy on your mobile. Create your first Private Vault to securely protect and hide everything that matters to you.
## Install Privary
Move to the Google Play Store and install Privary on your mobile.
:link: [**Download from Google Play**](https://bit.ly/3DuxQ7S)
## Let's start
Installation done? Good! Let's create your Private Vault.
Start Privary on your mobile. You may be asked to allow required storage permissions. These are required to store your Private Vault on your phone. You can [read more](/general/privary-faqs/permissions) about why Privary requires permissions to work.
Privary will ask you to enter a personal pin or password.
Use the keyboard 
from the top right to set your preferred authentification type.
Enter a pin/password that nobody else knows and preferably has a certain complexity ([get tips](/tips-and-tricks/increase-your-security-level)).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Your password is very important.** Remember it very well and be sure to activate the password recovery.
{% endhint %}
## Activate the password recovery
Privary will ask you to set up a e-mail to activate the password recovery. We strongly recommend to use this option.
However, if you are more comfortable with an offline password recovery option, please use the [alternative access password](/password/password-recovery#alternative-password-access) from the Privary settings.
Both password recovery options share the same encryption like anything else inside Privary. AES CTR 256-bit.
# Delete the Vault
### Option 1: I can still login
Head over to the Privary settings and scroll down to the bottom to *reset* your Vault.
{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure to take a backup before proceeding. Delete files cannot be recovered without a backup
{% endhint %}
### Option 2: I can no longer login
Open a file manager app. Make sure that the file manager app can show hidden files. Adjust that option from the settings of the file manager app.
To reset Privary just delete the data folder *`.privary`* from your device storage or sd-card (if applicable).
The folder is located directly on your storage or inside the folder "DCIM".
{% hint style="info" %}
We recommend to take a backup as deleted files cannot be recovered without a backup. Consider to rename the data folder *`.privary`* to *`.privary-old`* instead deleting
{% endhint %}
# Import Photos
Your Private Photo Vault can protect any photo.
## Let's protect
Log in to your Vault and select :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right. Tap *Import & Encrypt files*.
Privary shows all photo albums from your public phone gallery. Choose any album and tap on one or many photos you'd like to add to your Private Vault. Submit your selection with the *Import Button* at the bottom.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Press for a second on a album to start the album selection mode. This will easily import one or many selected albums.
{% endhint %}
### Some tricks
* Tap and drag on a single photo / folder to select multiple files
* Open a album and tap on *Import* without selecting a photo to import the entire album
* Press :heavy\_plus\_sign: from inside an already created folder in your Vault to directly import into this folder
{% hint style="success" %}
**Top Tip:** Send a photo from any other app to Privary to import it directly. For example from Snapchat, WhatsApp or Facebook
{% endhint %}
# Import Videos
Sure, you can also securely protect Videos of any type in your Private Video Vault.
## Let's protect videos
Log in to your Vault and select :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right. Tap *Import & Encrypt files*.
Swipe right or select the **Videos tab**. Privary shows all video albums from your public phone gallery. Select any video album and tap on each video you'd like to add to your Private Vault. Submit your selection with the *Import Button* at the bottom.
### Some tricks
* Tap and drag on a single video to select multiple files
* Press the :heavy\_plus\_sign: button from inside an already created folder in your Vault to directly import into this folder
{% hint style="success" %}
**Top Tip:** Send a video from any other app to Privary to import it directly. For example from Snapchat, WhatsApp or Facebook
{% endhint %}
# Import Documents
Your Vault can protect any file and document inside the Documents Vault.
## Let's protect documents
Log in to your Vault and select :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right. Tap *Import & Encrypt files*.
Swipe right or select the **Files tab**. Select any folder or document you'd like to add to your Private Vault. Submit your selection with the *Import Button* at the bottom.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Select a folder to import containing files and sub-folders. Privary will keep the original directory structure.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Top Tip:** Send a document from any other app to Privary to import it directly. For example from a file manager app
{% endhint %}
## Open a document
Select the document from your Vault and tap on open. Privary opens PDF or TXT documents with the internal reader. Press for a second on the Open-Button to open the file with an external app.
{% hint style="info" %}
If you can't open a document for some reason, for example a PDF or TXT, simply open the Google Play Store and look for an app that can handle the file type
{% endhint %}
Mind that Privary doesn't grant access to your encrypted files. If you change a file from outside Privary, just reimport that to have the changed file securely stored inside your Vault.
# Create Folders
Press the :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right and tap *Create Folder*.
Enter a name for your folder and submit. The new folder will be created in the current hierarchy.
{% hint style="success" %}
Folders are perfect for keeping track of your documents and organizing files.
**Tip:** Create sub-folders by first opening an existing folder. Create a new folder from there
{% endhint %}
### Set a Cover
From inside a created folder, select the Cover Button 
in the top menu. Tap on any photo to set it as the folder cover.
You can select all photos inside a folder as a Cover. Photos from a sub-folder cannot be set as a Cover for the current folder.
# Create Private Notes
## Create a note
Press the :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right and tap *Notes*.
Use the :heavy\_plus\_sign: in the bottom right to create a new note. Exit a note any time with the arrow in the upper right corner. Changes are saved automatically.
{% hint style="success" %}
Notes are also securely encrypted with AES CTR 256
{% endhint %}
## Change Colors
Text and background color can be changed. Select the colors icon in the upper right corner :art: when you have note open.
## Sorting
Most recently changed notes appear at the top by default. Change the sorting with the sort icon in the upper right corner.
## Delete notes
Move to the overview where all created notes are viewed and swipe on a note from right to left.
{% hint style="info" %}
Deleted notes cannot be recovered
{% endhint %}
# Organize & Sort
We should always have the freedom to sort our files the way we want. Privary gives you exactly that freedom.
### Customize displayed rows
Select the organize button
from the top menu.
Use the **Grid-Style** to change the displayed rows.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Press Grid-Style a few times to see all available styles.
{% endhint %}
### Sort files
From the organize button select any sort option that you prefer. Option will be active for the current folder. You can set a different sort option for each created folder.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Drag & Drop** a file inside a folder to any position to customize the order.
{% endhint %}
### Move & Copy
Press and hold on a file in the overview to enter the select mode. Then single tap each file you want to move or copy and select the Move 
or Copy Button 
from the top menu.
### Privatize individual files in your sorting
Use the organize button to disable preview images for folders or files. This will hide the preview image. Perfect if you want to show someone a certain folder but not content of other folders.
# Unlock files
Press and hold on a file in the overview to enter the select mode. Then single tap each file you want to unlock and submit with the unlock button :unlock: from the top menu.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Unlocked files are no longer securely encrypted and can be viewed by anyone who gains access to the device
{% endhint %}
Use the blue arrow in the unlock menu to specify the destination path for the decrypted files or to keep the directory structure.
# Backup Your Vault
Data security also includes fully encrypted backups. They protect you when you lose your device or it breaks for some reason.
## Use the encrypted Cloud
Backups are very important to have a fallback for whatever happens to your phone.
Activate the Cloud from the Privary settings.
This makes use of your own Google Driveโข instead unkown servers. The transfer is encrypted with TLS and files with Privary encryption (AES CTR 256).
Mind the Google Account that you use. It's used to backup your Private Vault.
## Restore from the Cloud
Open Privary with the same password as before and activate the Cloud on a new or same phone with the same Google Account. That's important as it contains your Vault.
Once you've activated the Cloud, Privary starts automatically with the download of your files. This may take a while depending on the amount of files on your Cloud.
{% hint style="info" %}
Use the same Google Account if you switch devices
{% endhint %}
## Create a encrypted backup file
Consider this option if you prefer to have a offline backup. Use *Create Backup* from the Privary settings. The created backup file is created inside the folder Privary *backups* on your phone storage or sd-card (if selected).
View the path of a created backup from the option *Import Backup*.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Move backup files off your phone to your Desktop or preferred Cloud
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Important:** If you choose the sd-card to store your backup, make sure that it's file system is not FAT32 as this can take up to 4GB only per single file and may result in an incomplete backup.
{% endhint %}
## Restore from a backup file
Place the backup file on your phones storage, in the root. Privary doesn't look everywhere for a backup for privacy reasons.
Open Privary with the same password as before and use the option *Import Backup* from the Privary settings. Select any displayed backup for the import.
{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't see your backup file(s), ensure that you have placed them directly on your phone's storage (not inside a folder) or explicity inside the folder "Privary *backups*" (note the correct spelling)
{% endhint %}
## I have a new phone
:link: [**Move to a new device**](/backup-your-vault/move-to-a-new-device)
# Move to a new device
Take the [encrypted Cloud](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud) for the easiest transfer. Alternatively use the backup file:
1. [Create a backup](/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file) on the old device
2. [Move the backup](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-a-backup-file) to your new phone and import that
# Backups FAQ
### Are backups encrypted?
Yes. Anything in Privary is encrypted. Content of a backup is fully encrypted with AES CTR 256.
### How can I import my backup from the Cloud?
Take a look on [Restore from the Cloud](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud).
### I get bk-1 when importing a backup file
1. Check that you have enough free storage. At least same amout as size of the backup file.
2. Try to import the backup manually:
Rename the backupfile and add ".zip" to the filename. You can now open the backupfile with a filemanager or winzip and see the encrypted files. Move the folders *`.do_not_delete_1`* and *`.do_not_delete_2`* from the backup into the Privary data folder. It is located directly on your storage.
*`.privary`*
You may will be asked to migrate the folder - confirm. Files from the backup are now manually imported to the current vault and will be visible, if the password / PIN matches with the password used to encrypt the files.
P.S.: The .privary folder is located on your device storage or sd-card (if activated from the settings). It's in a hidden state. You can make it visible if your file manager app can show hidden files.
If you still cannot import the backup, move it to a Desktop PC and try to open it with [Winrar](https://www.win-rar.com/start.html?\&L=1) or [7zip](https://www.7-zip.org/).
Try to repair the backup i.e. with Winrar built-in repair tool.
Create a new backup if possible or use the [Cloud Backup](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud).
### My current password is not matching with the backup
As content of a backup is always encrypted, your current password will be used. To import a backup with a different password, [change your current password](/password/change-password) from the Privary settings to match that from the backup and retry the import.
# Activate Fingerprint
๐ That's perfect to open your Vault blazing fast even if you set a complex secure password.
## Let's start
Make sure that you set at least one fingerprint in your phone's settings to proceed.
From the Privary settings select *Fingerprint / Face Unlock*. Place your finger on the fingerprint sensor and wait a moment for the confirmation.
## That's secure!
Privary uses hardware based encryption for the fingerprint authentication (Class 3 / Strong Biometric). The associated data to your fingeprint cannot be read from outside without authentication.
{% hint style="info" %}
Changing or adding a fingerprint in your phone's settings requires Privary to reauthenticate
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Always mind your password even if you login with fingerprint. Ensure to use the [password recovery](/password/password-recovery) to have a fallback
{% endhint %}
You'd like to use Facelogin or Iris-Scan for the login? [Activate Face/Iris Login](/general/activate-face-iris-login)
# Activate Face/Iris Login
๐ Open your Vault blazing fast even if you set a complex secure password.
## Prerequisites
Not all phones support the Class 3 / Strong Biometric Cipher for Face or Iris Authenttication.
If you unsure if your phone supports that feature please ask the manufacturer.
## Let's start
Make sure that you set at least one Face/Iris authentication in your phone's settings to proceed.
From the Privary settings select *Fingerprint / Face Unlock*. Select the Face/Iris option and wait a moment for the confirmation.
{% hint style="info" %}
Changing or adding a Face/Iris parameter in your phone's settings requires Privary to reaunthenticate
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Always mind your password even if you login with Face/Iris. Ensure to use the [password recovery](/password/password-recovery) to have a fallback
{% endhint %}
You'd like to use Fingerprint as your preferred login method? [Activate Fingerprint](/general/activate-fingerprint)
# Catch Intruders
๐ Know who is trying to spy on you in your immediate vicinity.
## Get full control
Privary's built-in Intruder Detection takes a Selfie of all those people who try to sneak on you.
## Let's start
Open the Privary settings and select *Intruder Selfie*. Activate the option and confirm the required permission to allow Privary to take photos when somebody tries to sneak on you.
Important: Use the permission "*when using the app*" otherwise functionality may be limited.
## View Intruders
Select *Intruder Selfie* from the Privary settings to view all catched Intruders. You can also view the date and time.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Use the [**Disguise Mode**](/general/hide-the-app) to make Privary fully invisible for extended protection
{% endhint %}
# Hide the App
๐ Leave nothing to chance. Hide Privary if you don't want anyone to know you are using a Private Vault.
## Avoid certain situations
Use the Disguise Mode to hide your Privary Vault from any person that may have access to your phone.
## Let's start
Select *Disguise Mode* from the Privary settings. Choose the app icon you'd like to use and submit with *next.*
# Create a second Vault (Fake Vault)
๐ Some situations require preparation. The Fake Vault helps you to be excellent prepared.
## Avoid certain situations
Use the Fake Vault to hide your Main Privary Vault from any person.
## Let's start
Select *Fake Vault* from the Privary settings. Set a different password than for your Main Vault. Once set, log out and log into your Fake Vault by using the new password.
**Easy but effective.**
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Add some non private files to your Fake Vault to eliminate any suspicion
{% endhint %}
# Use the SD-Card
๐ Yap! You can move your entire Vault to the sd-card and free up all that space on your phone's internal storage.
## How's that working?
Privary takes your entire Private Vault to your card and no longer uses your phone's internal storage. Sounds easy? Good! Complexity plays in the background as Privary uses encrypted communication with your sd-card.
## Let's start
Select *SD-Card storage* from the Privary settings. The popup describes the required steps.
Quick wrap up:
1. Once you are in the screen to grant the sd-card write permissions to Privary, first tap on the menu 
button in the top right. Select the option "*Show external storage*" and "*Show hidden objects*". If one of those is not available, just go ahead
2. Open the menu from the top left 
and select the sd-card. It's marked with a disk symbol 
3. Do you see a folder named *.privary*? Just press on that and submit with the button at the bottom. If not, move to the next step
4. Select the folder *DCIM.* Do you see a folder named *.privary*? Just press on that and submit. If not, without selecting any folder, submit your selection with the button at the bottom "*Use this folder*"
Done. Once you have selected the proper location and submitted, Privary asks you to proceed. This can take a few minutes depending on the amount of files inside your Vault.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Hint:** Privary will no longer use your phone's internal storage once you've activated the sd-card option
{% endhint %}
## Move back to the internal storage
Simply select the option *SD-Card storage* from the Privary settings when it's active to switch your entire Vault back to the internal storage.
## Performance
The internal phone storage is faster than any sd-card due to it's technical nature.
However, using a sd-card with certain technical conditions makes the difference barely noticeable.
Choose a sd-card with:
* At least UHS-II (defines the bus-speed)
* U1, U2, U3 or V10, V60, V90 (defines the speed-class)
* **Buy quality - not cheap!** Only from authorized retailers as there are many fakes and fake shops
SD-Cards have a limited life span due to their technical nature. Relying on a well-known manufacturer and buying from a trusted source makes all the difference.
We recommend the following manufacturers:
* SanDisk
* Samsung
* Verbatim
## Switch to a new sd-card
Quite easy as a simple copy does the job. Copy the data folder *`.privary`* to the same position on your new sd-card. You can use a Laptop for the transfer.
## Reimport from the sd-card
Assume you have removed the sd-card. This may clears the write permissions for Privary. To import your Vault from the card:
1. Open Privary and wait for 2 seconds on the login. Do you see a hint to import your Vault? Move to [Apply write permissions](/general/use-the-sd-card#lets-start). If not, move to step 2
2. Login and open the Privary settings. The sd-card option is not active? That's okay. Make sure that the Vault you've logged into is empty as we are going to remove that to import your Vault from the card. Unlock files before proceeding if required.
3. Select *reset* from the Privary settings. It's the last option in the list.
4. Once Privary restarted, wait a second until you see the hint to import your Vault. Move to [Apply write permissions](/general/use-the-sd-card#lets-start) to finalize the import.
## It's not working for some reason?
1. Turn off the phone
2. Eject the sd-card
3. Turn on the phone
4. Insert the sd-card and retry
Important: The SD card must have been formatted by the Android operating system. If the card was formatted using a PC, Android may not be able to index it correctly.
If nothing helps please [reach out to our team](/more-resources/contact-support).
## My sd-card stopped working
Not an issue if you have the [Cloud Backup](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud) active or a quite current [backup file](/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file).
If you didn't use any backup option, insert the sd-card into a Desktop Computer and see if it's recognized. Take a backup of all content, not only certain folders (Copy all files / folders from the sd-card to your computer).
Search the backed up folders for the pattern "*.privary*". That's your data folder and contains your Private Vault.
## Which file system is recommended?
We recommend any but FAT32. For example [exFAT](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table#exFAT). The issue with FAT32 is that it doesn't support single files with more than 4GB.
# Design & Effects
What's good can even become perfect if you can adapt it to your personal needs.
{% hint style="success" %}
Open the Privary settings and select *Design & Effects*
{% endhint %}
### Night Mode
That's active by default. Deactivate the Darkmode to switch to the bright view.
### Slideshow Interval
Choose how long a photo is displayed until moving to the next photo during a slideshow.
### Slideshow Slider Speed
Set your preferred animation time when switching to the next photo.
### 360ยฐ Finger
An awesome feature that allows you to rotate a photo as you like with two fingers and zoom in / out at the same time.
# Find Duplicates
Even if we are super tidy, there can be duplicates. Let's find them easily.
## Run a search
Use *Find Duplicates* from the Privary settings to run a search. All found duplicates will be displayed and can be removed with a single click ๐.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Scan the entire vault:**
Looks for duplicates inside your whole Private Vault
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Scan per single folder:**
Looks for duplicates only that occur in each single folder
{% endhint %}
## Can I securely delete any found duplicate?
Yes. Each file that's found by the Duplicate Finder appears in your Vault at least twice. Removing duplicates ensures that one file remains.
Mind that duplicates are moved to the Trash from where you can restore or delete irretrievably.
# Privary FAQs
Select a topic from below
{% content-ref url="/pages/6fMXLKqmPGzDVlIae2Sg" %}
[Send a file to another app](/general/privary-faqs/send-a-file-to-another-app)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/7dP88DYLLzYFwcJ6ZKxe" %}
[Lock the Vault](/general/privary-faqs/lock-the-vault)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/amGW07fVUpujJmqZJKvr" %}
[Restore from Trash](/general/privary-faqs/restore-from-trash)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/gqMIZc5zEp5avUxoPN3k" %}
[Play Videos](/general/privary-faqs/play-videos)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/OasLQXi4iJGdMs9xe5b5" %}
[Advanced Settings](/general/privary-faqs/advanced-settings)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/MEveW9wNVDtQu2cunNaT" %}
[I see ads](/general/privary-faqs/i-see-ads)
{% endcontent-ref %}
# Send a file to another app
Sending a file requires three confirmations. Otherwise a file will not be sent. This is for your safety.
## 1. Select files / folders
Use the selection mode to select multiple files / folders and select the share button 
from the top menu.
You can also select the share button while viewing a certain file to send this file.
## 2. Choose the target app
A list will popup with all apps that can handle the selected files. Select the app you'd like to use as the target.
## 3. Proceed in the target app
The selected app will ask what you'd like to do with the files. That's the last point where you can cancel the process.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Don't mix files and folders during a single send-request. This makes sure that your selected target app can properly read the files.
{% endhint %}
# Lock the Vault
Privary locks by default when you leave the app. However, you can adjust that or even lock your Private Photo Vault by flipping your phone.
### FlipLock
Activate the option from the Privary settings to have a quick and reliable way to lock your Vault whenever required.
### AutoLock
Makes sure that your Vault locks whenever you leave the app. That's active by default. If you disable that option, your Vault will lock after 15 seconds in background if you don't reopen (see [Automatic Lock-Timer](#automatic-lock-timer) on how to change that)
### The Privary Logo
That's visible directly after login in the top left. Tap on the logo to lock your Vault immediately.
### ShakeLock
Simply shake your phone to lock your Vault immediately. This will also close the entire app and remove Privary from the recent app list.
### Automatic Lock-Timer
Open the Privary settings -> Advanced Settings - to adjust from 5 to 60 seconds for when Privary should lock your Vault when running in the background. This applies if you disable the [AutoLock](#autolock).
Move the slider to the end to turn that option off.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Mind:** Your Vault will stay unlocked if you disable the Logout Delay until you lock it manually by any of the options on this page.
{% endhint %}
### Quick Logout
Perfect to hide your Vault immediately when you lock it. This is not active by default. Once activated, Privary will no longer open the login menu when you lock your Private Vault.
### Turn off the screen
Always forces Privary to lock your Vault and hide the app from the recently used apps.
# Restore from Trash
๐
Choose the Trash 
from the top right in the Privary settings.
Files that you have moved to the Trash will be kept for unlimited time ([Premium only](/tips-and-tricks/increase-your-security-level#upgrade-to-premium-protection)).
Use the restore button 
in the top right to restore all files from the Trash or the tiny restore button in the bottom right of each file.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Mind:** Files in your Trash are not considered in Cloud backups or backup files
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Restore files from your Trash if required instead leaving them inside
{% endhint %}
# Play Videos
Privary on-the-fly decryption can play encrypted videos in real time without pre-decryption.
Open a Video and press on playback. Natively supported file types will play with the internal video player by default.
### Supported file types
Privary can play all video file types and codecs. Those that are natively supported by the OS play with the internal player by default. Other types will open in an external player (for example the MxPlayer).
### I'm having issues with the playback
Try a different video player, i.e. the MxPlayer.
### Player capabilities
The internal video player is quite powerful and is continously extended.
#### Zoom
Use two fingers to zoom in/out.
#### Fast forward/rewind
Double tap in the right/left side of the display to fast forward/rewind 10 seconds. Or drag with a single finger from left -> right or vice versa.
#### Autoloop/Replay
Use the loop button 
to set replay or autoloop the playlist (default). A playlist contains all videos from your current folder.
#### Brightness/Volume
Slide up/down in the left side to set the volume. Slide in the right side to set the screen brightness.
### Thumbnail
Privary extracs the thumbnail of a video during the import. To change the thumbnail, play a video with the internal player. During the playback, single press in the middle of the screen to open the menu. Select the shutter button 
from the top left to take the current scene as the thumbnail.
The change may take effect after a Privary restart.
### Use an external player
Open the Privary settings, move down to *Videoplayback* and deactivate the first option (*Videoplayer*) to use an external player for all videos.
# Advanced Settings
{% hint style="success" %}
Open the Privary settings and move down to *Advanced Settings*
{% endhint %}
### Keep Screen Private
Privary blocks the screen for third party apps by default when you are logged in your Vault. This ensures highest privacy, especially against malware. However, you may consider to disable that option if you want to take screenshots from inside Privary.
`Active by default`
### Hide Files
Privary removes the source of an imported file by default. Deactivate this option to keep source files after import in your default public phone gallery.
`Active by default`
### Safe delete with Shredder
The source of any imported file will be overwritten before deleting to make a restore impossible (anti-restore).
`Disabled by default`
### Hide from recent apps
Privary doesn't show in the recent apps list. This makes it impossible for someone to comprehend when you have lastly used Privary.
`Active by default`
### Quick Logout
Privary closes entirely when locked instead going back to the login menu.
`Disabled by default`
### Automatic Lock-Timer
Set the timout when Privary should lock your Vault when minimized the app to background. Applies when disabling the [AutoLock](/general/privary-faqs/lock-the-vault#autolock).
`15 seconds by default`
### Maximize Brightness
Increases the brightness of your screen to maximum when viewing photos or videos.
`Disabled by default`
### Use highest photo display quality
Use the highest color depth and max. resolution when viewing photos. This will consume way more RAM and a bit more battery but delivers the best photo quality (original quality).
Activating will disable drag down/up to close a photo and the [360ยฐ Finger](/general/design-and-effects#360-finger).
`Disabled by default`
### Move deleted files to trash
The Trash helps to recover files you've deleted accidentially. Disable that and deleted file will no longer be moved to the Trash = unrecoverable deleted.
`Active by default`
### Bug analysis & statistics
Helps us to improve Privary by sending performance and bug reports to our hq. Data is anonymous by default.
`Active by default`
### Delete sorting
Clears the database to rebuild the sorting of files and folders.
# Permissions
Privary requires several permissions for certain features. Read why this is required and why it's safe.
### Storage permissions
Any app requires users permission to read and write on the storage. This is mandatory otherwise an app is not able to create files on the disk. This is essential for Privary to secure your files.
#### All Files Access
With Android 11 a huge privacy change has been introduced, called *Scoped Storage* ([read more](https://medium.com/nonstopio/privacy-in-android-11-2fc7174e12dc) - external link).
This requires apps like Privary to request the All Files Permission since 01.11.2021 to be able to still protect any desired file.
{% hint style="success" %}
Only apps that are allowed by Google Play can request this permission
{% endhint %}
Privary will use that permission to ensure the same functionality as before. Nothing else.
### Camera permission
This is required only if you want to take a photo/video from inside Privary.
#### Microphone
Permission is requried when taking a video with voice.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Mind:** Privary ensures your privacy and is build to give you greatest security for all your personal files. Permissions will be solely used for the main purpose: functionality. Privary will never send your private files to our servers or collect any files.
{% endhint %}
# I see ads
Privary Free Basic Protection shows ads that are required to guarantee the continous development.
### How can I remove ads?
Privary [Premium](/upgrade/get-premium) is entirely Ad-Free. Upgrade from the Privary settings.
### **I see invasive ads while using** Privary **or other apps**
Ads should never be intrusive.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure to [download](https://bit.ly/3DrYM87) Privary from official sources only. Installing the app using an APK you run risk of downloading an illegally modified copy containing malware
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
We strongly advise to use a Anti-Virus app or Malware Scanner to check your device if you see invasive ads
{% endhint %}
# Storage of data
Privary uses a persistent storage mechanism (Android only, iOS doesn't support that). The persistent mechanism ensures that you can uninstall and reinstall Privary whenever you like without files being deleted.
### Can I format my phone?
Yes, but [take a backup](/backup-your-vault). A phone reset removes all files from your storage and may also from a plugged in sd-card.
### What happens if I uninstall Privary?
**Android:** Your files persist. Reinstall Privary any time to login and view your Vault.
**iOS:** Files of an app are deleted by default when uninstalling. Don't confirm the warning message unless you've created a [backup](/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file).
### Can I clean my phone storage from time to time?
Sure. Just ensure that you don't delete any file that is stored under the path *`.privary`*.
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Mind:** Cleaning tools are not intelligent. You may delete important files if you don't carefully check what will be deleted during a clean up.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Always take a [backup](/backup-your-vault) from time to time. [Manually](/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file) or [automatically](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud).
{% endhint %}
### I've logged in but my Vault is empty
Think carefully about what you last did on your device because files cannot automatically disappear.
* Phone reset?
* Cleaning tool used?
* Removed or resetted the sd-card?
* Removed or renamed a folder on your phone?
{% hint style="info" %}
Privary protects your files and cannot delete anything without you giving the instruction. A file cannot disappear automatically
{% endhint %}
If you had the [Cloud](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud) active, easily [restore](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud). Otherwise it's required to find out what you did in order to restore. If you have used a cleaning tool and didn't check what is deleted during the clean up, send a mail to the support of the cleaning tool. They may have a fallback to restore files.
For the case you stored your Vault on the sd-card and pulled that out for some reason, simply [reimport](/general/use-the-sd-card#reimport-for-the-sd-card).
Just in case you have removed a folder from your phone using a file manager, that was maybe the Privary data folder. Restore that somehow if you didn't have used any Privary [backup](/backup-your-vault) option.
If you have reseted your device a [backup file](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-a-backup-file) or [Cloud backup](/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud) is required in any case.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Mind:** Due to the persistent storage method of Privary, all data is preserved even after uninstallation. Files cannot delete themselves automatically.
{% endhint %}
#### Use the built-in search option
Start Privary and press on the Privary Logo at the top. Select the option *search for files* from the bottom and Privary will scan for all associated files and reimport them automatically.
**Mind:** This works only if the files have not been deleted manually or with cleaning tools. It's useful if you have moved the data folder *`.privary`* from it's original location accidentially.
## Restore data folder
You have a backup of the data folder *`.privary`* or the sub-folders *`.do_not_delete_1`* / *`.do_not_delete_2`*?
Place the folder *`.privary`* on your phone storage. Directly on the root - not inside a folder. Overwrite if required.
The backup is now recovered. Login to view the content. If you don't see anything after login, ensure that you have placed the data folder *`.privary`* in the right location and log in into the Main
> Final path: Storage/.privary
# Privary VS Other Apps
{% hint style="success" %}
***`" If you look for real privacy, take Privary "`***
{% endhint %}
### Complex Security Concept
Every single photo, video or document you import into Privary is encrypted with **AES CTR 256**.
Privary does not follow the concept of other apps, but relies on **full encryption**.
Simply hiding a photo or document is completely insecure. Full encryption is a guarantee of real data security.
### Uncomparable Privacy
Privary doesn't collect your private data or send data somewhere. Our software is subject to the high data protection requirements of the German authorities and is developed according to strict ethical guidelines.
### Unique Architecture
Encryption is a complex and hardware-intensive process. The unique architecture of Privary ensures that your Private Photo Gallery and Vault are not only absolutely safe, but also run lightning fast. No lags but full security combined with the highest comfort.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Only full encryption is secure. However, storing the password and/or encrypting the password only is completely insecure
{% endhint %}
### Privary does not know your password
Because that's insecure. A potential hacker could read the password or extract from a hash. Privary instead uses basic cryptography principles to ensure your security in any situation.
### Reliable - No matter what happens
Privary locks itself immediately after you leave the Vault or turn off the screen. The Vault does not appear in the list of recently opened applications and can be completely disguised. All these factors and many more are essential for your security and privacy. Moreover, you can customize your Privary Private Photo Vault and Video Vault according to your preferences and even change the smallest details.
## Established since 2015
For you. For us. For all people. Today's privacy is more important than ever!
Growing danger from hacker attacks on individuals and authorities are worrying and show that our private, important and sensitive data is at constant risk of falling into the wrong hands.
In 2015, we decided to develop Privary as a True Private Vault for our mobiles that follows the principle of complete data security. Since then, Privary has securely encrypted over 550 million files and provided the highest possible protection.
# Activate Recovery
Password Recovery is optional and helps you to recover your password if you forget it.
{% hint style="info" %}
You cannot gain access if you forget your password and didn't activate a recovery option. There's no backdoor.
{% endhint %}
## Recovery by E-Mail
1. Open the Privary settings
2. Choose *Password Recovery*
3. Enter any E-Mail Adresse where only you have access
#### E-Mail not available?
This message will pop up if you have associated your e-mail with a different password before.
Use the same password to reuse that mail or reach out to our [support](/more-resources/contact-support) to remove the e-mail for you from the password recovery. Please mind that you have to prove that you are the owner of the e-mail address.
## Alternative Access Password
1. Open the Privary settings
2. Choose *Password Recovery*
3. Enter a password with at least 6 characters
### Disable Password Recovery
#### E-Mail
* Open the Privary settings
* Choose *Password Recovery*
* Select the Trash-Symbol from the top right to remove your E-Mail
#### Alternative Access Password
You can change the Alternative Password anytime. Removal is not possible.
## How can I recover my password?
Use the [recovery by E-Mail](/password/password-recovery#e-mail-password-recovery) or [Alternative Access Password](/password/password-recovery#alternative-password-access).
# Password Recovery
{% hint style="info" %}
**Important:** You can use the password recovery if you have activated the recovery by e-mail or set an alternative access password. Otherwise you may get the message that the e-mail can't be found
{% endhint %}
## E-Mail Password Recovery
Open the Privary Login and enter a wrong password. Tap on the hint **password recovery** in the top menu.
1. Enter your e-mail and submit. Privary sends a link to your inbox to obtain the verification code. E-Mail delivery can take up to 5 minutes. Please wait and don't request a new verification code in the meanwhile
2. Once you have received the mail, open the link and obtain the code
3. Open Privary and enter the code. Your password will be displayed which you can use for the login
{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't receive the e-mail after 30 minutes, request a new proof code (refresh-button). A new proof code makes the previous obsolete
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
The password recovery by e-mail is isolated from your Vault and has no 1:1 relationship.
Your recovered password is not working? [Read more](/password/password-recovery/recovered-password-is-not-working)
{% endhint %}
## Alternative Password access
Open the Privary Login and enter a wrong password. Tap on the hint **password recovery** in the top menu.
1. Enter the password you set up as your fallback. This option is available only if you have set up a fallback password
2. Once submitted, Privary gains access if the password is right
3. If you were able to login with the matching password, change your main password from the Privary settings -> Change Password
4. Reactivate the alternative access password for your newly set password
{% hint style="info" %}
Mind that your password is solely private. Privary or the creators don't know your password
{% endhint %}
## I need help
[Read more](/password/password-recovery/i-cant-recover-my-password) if you need assistance with the recovery of your password or if the recovered password doesn't match to your Vault.
# Recovered password is not working
The password recovery with e-mail is not connected to a certain vault. This pushes security to the highest level.
{% hint style="info" %}
Whether the password you receive is correct and matches to your current Vault, depends on your own setup. You may also have entered a different e-mail
{% endhint %}
## Example
You activate the password recovery. The password you used at that time is stored encrypted in the password recovery.
If you now change your password, the password will also be changed in the recovery - but only if the recovery is still active and you have not blocked the internet connection for Privary.
Once you change your device or perform a reset to import a backup, the recovery is no longer active, but can be reactivated from the settings.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Mind:** Even we, the creators, don't know your password. Privary is 100% secret and your password is solely private to you
{% endhint %}
## Is there any backdoor i can use?
No. Privary was built to ensure 100% privacy, entirely different from other apps you may know. [Read more](/general/privary-vs-other-apps)
# I can't recover my password
## First Rule: Don't panic.
If you can't recover your password for some reason keep calm and try to remember it as best as possible.
You can try different combinations unlimited times and hopefully remember your password. There's no time limit.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Mind:** Even we, the Creators, don't know your password. Privary is 100% secret and your private data is not shared or collected.
{% endhint %}
## Use the password deep check
Start Privary and enter your password. Don't submit. Instead, press for a second on the submit button until a message pops up. Follow the instructions.
The result from the check is validated as it decrypts a file from your vault and shows you whether the process was successful.
You can use the deep check unlimited times.
## Delete the keyfile
From the password deep check :arrow\_heading\_up: select the option *Delete Keyfile*. This allows you to login with any password but will show your files only if you use the matching password. This must be the same password that you have used when securely imported the files.
### How's that working?
Privary encrypts any file inside your Private Vault with AES CTR 256. Considering an attacker gains access to your files, decryption is impossible without the matching password.
### You are sure your password is matching?
Delete the keyfile from the password deep check and manually check the result by logging in with the selected password.
{% hint style="info" %}
Files inside your Vault will not be displayed if you don't login with the exact same password that you've used when locked the files.
{% endhint %}
### I am still sure that my password is right
Encryption knows right or wrong but nothing between. Even if you write your password almost correctly, for example if you forget a letter or mix up upper and lower case, it's not accepted. As soon as you enter the matching password, the password check will confirm accordingly.
### I've changed my phone and my password is denied suddenly
This may happens when the new device has received data from the old device but the Privary Keyfile is not consistent. [Delete the keyfile](#delete-the-keyfile) to login and follow the [backup & import tips](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud) to move your Vault to your new device.
## Can something change my password?
No. Your password will always remain same until you consciously change it.
## I no longer have access to my email
Just reach out to our [support](/more-resources/contact-support) with a proof that you are the owner of the email account in question in order to get that changed.
# Change password
Open the Privary settings and move down to *change password*.
{% hint style="info" %}
Mind your new password and make sure to [activate the password recovery](/password/password-recovery) if it's not active.
{% endhint %}
# Get Premium
**Get the most and best for your privacy. With Privary Premium Protection.**
{% hint style="info" %}
Premium unlocks **all** features and removes **all** ads
{% endhint %}
Open the Upgrade Menu from the Privary settings and enjoy outstanding features:
{% hint style="success" %}
**Intruder Detection**
Catch those people who try to open your Private Vault with automatically taken selfies.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Instant Cloud Backup
Take an entirely encrypted copy to your own and private Google Driveโข that's a direct copy of your Vault and updates automatically. Best protection if you lose your phone or it breaks.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Fake Vault
Use that whenever someone forces you to open your Vault and view different files than stored in your Main Vault.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Hide the entire app
Ever thought how cool it would be if no one knew you were using a Private Vault at all? Use the Disguise Mode to make Privary invisible.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Flip Lock
Lock your entire Vault whenever required by simply flipping your phone. That's great!
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### **Shredder (Anti-Restore)**
Safely shredd those files you import from your phones public storage directly after import. Makes a restore simply impossible.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### **Ad-Free**
Premium disables **all** ads.
{% endhint %}
### How can I upgrade?
Open the Upgrade Menu from the Privary settings.+
### Payment options
Depending on the country you live there are several payment options available. See [link](https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2651410?hl=en\&co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS) for Google Play / Android. See [link](https://www.apple.com/us-edu/shop/help/payments) for Apple App Store.
### Why is Privary not that cheap like other apps?
Privary was built to ensure 100% privacy. The **full encryption** and UX/UI is unique. We don't just advertise full encryption, we fully implement it to ensure your security.
We don't collect data to cover our continuous development. Instead we are transparent and have the shortest privacy protection policy as possible.
### Can i use my upgrade on all my phones?
Yes.
### I've upgraded but my Premium is not active on my other phone
Your upgrade is connected to your Google Account. Just add the same account to your phone that you've used for your upgrade. Privary receives your upgrade on next app start.
### My upgrade is not detected
Uninstall Privary and reinstall. If this didn't help and you have added the same Google Account to your phone settings that you have used for your purchase, use the following solution:
1. Uninstall Privary
2. Open a computer and navigate to the Privary [download](https://bit.ly/3wVPhf9)
3. Make sure that you are logged in with the Google Account that you've used for your Privary upgrade
4. Click on install for Privary
This will download Privary to your phone again in some minutes.
Once Privary has been installed automatically, check the Premium status. If the licence is still not detected, please reboot your phone once.
### Refund my purchase
Head over to [Google Play](https://bit.ly/3kE2Mv4) to request a refund. Refund eligibility may vary. See [Google Play Refund Policies](https://bit.ly/3kE2Mv4).
### How can I cancel my Premium?
Just head over to [Google Play](https://bit.ly/cancel_upgrade_privary) to cancel your upgrade anytime.
# Increase your Security Level
Use a few simple tricks to increase your safety.
## Choose the right password
Privary covers you with full encryption. Your security strongly depends on your password. Avoid passwords with less than 8 characters to achieve maximum security.
### Top Tips:
1. Use at least **8 characters** mixed alpha-numeric with at least one special symbol
2. Make use of complex **sentences** that someone can't guess but you mind easily
3. A purely numeric password (PIN) should not contain less than 16 digits
### Good passwords:
* T#L59b.34U$L
* 5555KLA.Tzz
* M3454.1$a2
* 34#58190#28957
* 5824962710024539$
* a151$\_$54La
* iWiLLBeOUTofOffIce$
In our experience, a secure password consists of at least 8 characters, alpha-numeric with at least one special character. However, we recommend at least 12 characters. Of course a long password is also a handicap if you want to open your Vault quickly.
{% hint style="info" %}
[**Tip:** Activate Fingerprint or Face Authentication for a quick login](/general/activate-fingerprint)
{% endhint %}
With this in mind, choose a password that you consider suitable with at least 8 characters. A purely numeric password (or PIN) should contain at least 16 numbers.
### Bad passwords:
* 2222
* iamhome
* 8225566
* 191937456
Read more on how to use the right password :arrow\_forward: [gcfglobal.org](https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/internetsafety/creating-strong-passwords/1/)
You can change your password from the Privary Settings -> Change Password.
## Upgrade to Premium Protection
Privary built-in features increase your privacy to ensure highest security.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Intruder Detection**
Catch those people who try to open your Private Vault with automatically taken selfies.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Instant Cloud Backup
Take an entirely encrypted copy to your own and private Google Driveโข that's a direct copy of your Vault and updates automatically. Best protection if you lose your phone or it breaks.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Fake Vault
Use that whenever someone forces you to open your Vault and view different files than stored in your Main Vault.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Hide the entire app
Ever thought how cool it would be if no one knew you were using a Private Vault at all? Use the Disguise Mode to make Privary invisible.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### Flip Lock
Lock your entire Vault whenever required by simply flipping your phone. That's great!
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="success" %}
#### **Shredder (Anti-Restore)**
Safely shredd those files you import from your phones public storage directly after import. Makes a restore simply impossible.
{% endhint %}
:sunglasses: Away from all distractions, you remove all ads with your upgrade to Premium.
# I lost my phone
๐ณ
Don't worry. Everything in Privary is **securely encrypted** with your private password and cannot be viewed without your password.
### Can i somehow delete my Vault remotely?
Privary doesn't allow access via remote due to security reasons. Use the **Find, lock, or erase** feature of your Google Account. :link: [Find out how](https://bit.ly/find_lock_erase_prv)
### How to restore my Vault?
Use the [Privary Cloud](/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud).
# Contact Support
## A Question or Suggestion?
Our award winning support is always available for you.
Please drop your mail to `support@privary.me`
{% hint style="info" %}
**You can't remember your password?**
Please use the [password recovery](/password/password-recovery). Even we, the creators, don't know your password.
{% endhint %}