Backroom

Backroom vs Safe Lock

Safe Lock offers many lock types, a fake password, break-in reports and cloud import. Backroom has one pattern lock, named encryption and a recovery phrase.

Safe Lock has many lock types, gesture locks, break-in reports, a fake gallery and transfers through several cloud services. Its privacy label says Data Not Collected. Backroom, coming soon to the App Store, uses only a drawn pattern, names AES-256-GCM and gives each vault a recovery phrase.

Side by side

BackroomSafe Lock
AvailabilityComing soon to the App Store. iPhone.On the App Store.
What opens itA pattern of at least 6 dots on a 5 by 5 grid.PIN, DotLock, numeric or alphabetic password, Touch ID and Face ID.
EncryptionAES-256-GCM on each file, with a random key for each vault.The listing names no encryption method.
Where files liveOn your iPhone, and in your device backups in encrypted form if you make them. No cloud sync.On your device, per its listing. Import and export through Dropbox, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, iCloud and Box.
AccountNone.The listing does not mention one.
Forgotten codeA 12-word recovery phrase for each vault. Lose the pattern and the phrase, and nobody can open that vault.The listing does not say.
If someone pressures youA different pattern opens a different vault, and the app shows no list of vaults. No duress mode.Fake password opening a fake gallery, break-in reports with photos, and shake or flip to lock.
DisguisePaid plan: alternate icons and a working calculator screen. The name under the icon stays Backroom.Custom app icon.
Ads and dataNo ads and no analytics.Apple label: Data Not Collected.
Code and reviewSource code is unpublished. No outside review has been completed.No published source or audit is mentioned on its listing.
PriceFree: 50 photos and files, 5 videos and 10 notes in each vault. Paid: $1.99 a week, $19.99 a year or $39.99 once.Free app. Premium Account entries at $4.99, $19.99 and $29.99.

Safe Lock facts checked October 31, 2026 against its own listing or site, US prices. See Sources below. Apps change, so check before you buy.

What Safe Lock offers beyond Backroom

Choice is its main feature. You can pick from several lock types, unlock with Face ID, and lock the app by shaking or flipping your phone. It also has Wi-Fi transfer, a fake gallery, break-in reports, PDF and GIF support and slideshows. Backroom has one way in, no Face ID and no Wi-Fi or cloud transfer. It imports from Photos or Files and saves one item at a time out to Files.

On privacy, they sound alike

Safe Lock’s listing says photos and videos are saved only on your device and that the developer has no access to them, and its Apple label says Data Not Collected. Backroom also keeps files on your iPhone and has no analytics. Safe Lock’s cloud options are something you would choose to use, and files you move to a cloud service follow that service’s rules.

What Backroom adds

Backroom describes its encryption: AES-256-GCM on each file, with a random key per vault that your pattern unlocks. Safe Lock’s listing does not cover this. Backroom also gives each vault a 12-word recovery phrase, and a separate vault for each pattern. It has not had an outside review.

Which one fits

Safe Lock suits someone who wants many lock options and cloud transfers. Backroom suits someone who wants a single drawn pattern and a written recovery phrase.

Frequently asked questions

Does Safe Lock have a pattern lock?

Yes, it calls this DotLock, and its Premium plan lists seven lock patterns. In Backroom, a pattern opens the vault and unlocks its encryption key.

Does Backroom report break-in attempts?

No. Safe Lock's break-in reports with photos have no equivalent in Backroom. A wrong pattern in Backroom leads to the screen for making a new vault.

Can I move files to Dropbox from either?

Safe Lock lists that. Backroom has no cloud connections or sharing. It can save one item at a time to the Files app as an unencrypted copy.

Related pages

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