Frequently Asked Questions

All your data is stored exclusively on your device. We don't have cloud servers, user accounts, or any way to access your documents. When you save a document, it stays in your phone's secure storage area.

The app does not have a cloud database. We don't see your data. If you use iCloud Backup (iOS) or Google Backup (Android) for your whole phone, this app's data is included in that bundle. Your data remains encrypted within those backups. This process is managed by your OS, not us.

Since we don't have your data, we can't restore it for you. If you restore a new phone from a system backup (iCloud/Google), your data should reappear. If you don't use system backups, your data is lost.

Recommendation: Use the Export feature to save a copy of your important documents elsewhere.

Yes. Your documents are encrypted on disk within the app's storage using AES-256 standards. This protects against direct file extraction (if someone accesses the device's physical storage, the raw files are unreadable without the decryption keys).

• Encryption on Disk: Every document image and PDF is scrambled before it is saved.
• App Lock: Add a second layer of defense by enabling PIN, Face ID, or Touch ID in the app settings.

Important: Maximum security requires a strong device passcode. If your device is unlocked, the encryption keys may be accessible to whoever holds the phone.

No. We don't use any analytics SDKs, advertising networks, or tracking services. The only external service we use is Sentry for crash reporting (which can be disabled in settings). Crash reports contain only technical information. Never your documents or personal data.

All your data is permanently deleted when you uninstall the app. There's no way to recover it afterward since we don't store anything externally. Before deleting: Export your documents or create a backup ZIP file (Pro feature) to save them elsewhere.

Yes. All document images and PDFs are encrypted before being saved to your device. This means that even if someone gets access to your phone's files, they cannot view your documents.

For maximum security: We recommend enabling App Lock and using a strong device passcode. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

No. Your documents never leave your device. There are no servers, no cloud sync, and no uploads. Everything stays on your phone, encrypted and private.

Because your data never reaches our servers, we have no way to access, view, or recover your documents. This is by design to protect your privacy.

Yes. Automatic backups are encrypted via your device's built-in backup system (iCloud/Google). Manual vault exports (Pro feature) are password-protected using AES-256-GCM encryption with PBKDF2 key derivation. You'll set a password when exporting and need it to restore.

If you restore from a backup, your documents will automatically work on your new device without you needing to do anything special.

The app supports Passports, National IDs (front + back), Visas/Residence Permits, Airline Tickets, Other Documents, and Notes (text-only for deadlines and reminders). You can capture documents using your camera, import from your photo library, or import PDF files. Pro users can capture multi-page documents (Page 1 + Page 2) for Airline Tickets and Other Documents.

We send cascaded reminders starting 6 months before expiry for passports (passport renewals take 6-8 weeks), then at 3 months, 6 weeks, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, 2 days, and 1 day. Even if you miss the deadline, we'll remind you the day after and one week after expiry to help you start the renewal process. Airline tickets get more frequent final reminders (1 week, 2 days, 1 day, 24 hours) but no post-expiry reminders since the flight has departed.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition) automatically detects expiry dates from your documents. Point your camera at a document, and the app will try to read the expiry date. All processing happens on your phone - nothing is uploaded. Detected dates are labeled "Detected: please verify" and require your confirmation before saving.

Yes! Free users can share individual documents. Pro users get powerful batch tools: select specific documents (or everyone's profiles) and generate a single combined PDF optimized for printing. You can even set custom filenames for your exports to keep your digital records organized.

The app stores everything on your device. If you have iCloud (iOS) or Google Backup (Android) enabled, your documents are already protected through your device backup. Pro users can export a password-protected encrypted backup for safekeeping, and all users can restore from a backup at any time via Settings → Import Vault. This replaces all current data with the backup contents. We intentionally don't sync to our servers to protect your privacy.

The app uses profiles to organize documents by family member, but all data stays on your device. There's no shared access or sync between devices. If you need to share a document, you can export it using the system share sheet and send it via AirDrop, email, or messaging.

Yes! The app works completely offline. You can add documents, view them, and receive reminders without any internet connection. Perfect for traveling.

To enable App Lock, go to Settings → App Lock in the app:

• PIN Lock (Free): Set a 4-digit PIN code. The app will require this PIN every time you open it.
• Biometric Lock (Pro): Enable Face ID (iPhone with Face ID), Touch ID (iPhone with fingerprint), or fingerprint unlock (Android). This provides convenient access while keeping your data secure.

Best practice: Enable App Lock + set your device to auto-lock after 30 seconds. This creates multiple layers of protection: device lock, then app lock, then encrypted files.

Important — Forgotten PIN: If you forget your PIN, the only way to regain access is to delete and reinstall the app, which permanently deletes all your data. To protect yourself:

• Export an encrypted backup before enabling App Lock (Settings → Export Vault)
• Store your PIN somewhere safe (e.g., your device's password manager)
• Enable biometric unlock (Pro) so you can use Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint instead of typing the PIN
• If you have device backups (iCloud/Google) enabled, restoring from a backup may recover your data after reinstalling

Yes, the app creates automatic local backups every 5 minutes (when the app is open and changes are made). These backups are stored on your device and are included in your iCloud (iOS) or Google (Android) device backup if you have those services enabled.

How it works:

• The app keeps 10 rolling backups on your device. When an 11th backup is created, the oldest one is automatically deleted.
• Backups are encrypted with the same AES-256 encryption as your documents.
• If the app crashes or you accidentally delete a document, you can restore from the most recent backup via Settings → Import Vault.

Manual backups (Pro): Pro users can also create manual encrypted ZIP backups and save them to Files, iCloud Drive, or share them via AirDrop/email for off-device storage. This is recommended before major updates or device changes.

Free users: Get smart default reminder timing (6 months, 3 months, 6 weeks, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, 2 days, 1 day before expiry).

Pro users: Can fully customize reminder timing for each document. Set reminders at any interval you want (e.g., 1 year before, 90 days before, 2 weeks before). You can also enable/disable specific reminder tiers and set custom reminder times (morning, afternoon, evening).

To customize reminders, tap any document → Edit → Reminders section (Pro only).

Pro users can tap "Select" in the top-right of the document list to enter select mode. Tap documents to select or deselect them, then use the Actions button to export a combined PDF, share original files, or delete the selected documents. You can also long-press any document card for a quick context menu with the same options for that single document.

Briefly, yes. After deleting documents (single or bulk), you'll see a short undo window at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Undo" to restore them immediately. Once the undo window disappears, deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. We recommend exporting a backup before bulk deleting documents.

Long-press (press and hold) any document card in your list to open a quick actions menu. From there you can Export PDF, Share Original files, or Delete the document without opening it first. You'll feel a subtle haptic tap when the menu appears. This works for all users (Free and Pro).

The Android version is coming early 2026. We're currently in closed testing to ensure the same privacy-first, on-device storage experience works perfectly on Android devices.

The Android version will have feature parity with iOS, including encrypted on-device storage, OCR scanning, expiry reminders, and all Pro features (unlimited profiles, batch export, custom reminder timing, and biometric lock).

Yes, using encrypted vault export (Pro feature). Export an encrypted backup from your current device (Settings → Export Vault), transfer it to your new device (via email, cloud storage, or direct transfer), then use Settings → Import Vault to restore your documents.

This works across platforms because the encryption format is universal. You'll need the same password you used when exporting the vault. Your Pro purchase will also need to be restored on the new device (see "Can I restore my purchase on a new device?" below).

The app itself is small (~15MB download). Storage usage depends entirely on how many documents you store and their photo quality. A typical passport photo (high quality) is 2-4MB. With 20 documents, expect around 40-80MB of storage.

The app includes 10 automatic backups, which are compressed copies of your documents, adding minimal extra space (~10-20% more). There's no hard limit on the number of documents (Pro users get unlimited), but practical limits depend on your device's available storage.

Camera: To capture photos of your documents directly in the app. Photo Library: To import existing document photos you've already taken.

We never upload your photos anywhere. All processing (including OCR scanning) happens on your device. You can deny these permissions, but you won't be able to add documents (the app's primary function). If you accidentally denied permissions, you can re-enable them in your device Settings → Privacy → Camera / Photos → Travel Document Vault.

Free includes 1 profile and up to 5 documents with full functionality, including OCR scanning, expiry reminders, document sharing, and PIN Lock. Pro ($9.99 one-time*) unlocks unlimited profiles, unlimited documents, combined PDF export, batch export (ZIP), custom reminder timing, multi-page capture for Airline Tickets and Other Documents, and Biometric Lock (Face ID / Touch ID) as a convenient unlock option on top of PIN.

* See Pricing Policy for versioning details.

No. Pro is a one-time purchase of $9.99. Pay once for the current version. No recurring charges, no subscription.*

* One-time purchase price applies to current version (v1.x). Future major updates may be offered separately. See our Pricing Policy for full details.

Yes. Go to Settings in the app and tap "Restore Purchases." As long as you're signed into the same Apple ID or Google Account, your Pro purchase will be restored. Note: your documents won't transfer. Only the Pro unlock.

Yes. Pro is a one-time purchase for the current major version (v1.x). You'll receive all bug fixes, security updates, and feature additions for free within that version.

If we release a major version 2.0 in the future with significant new features, that might require a separate upgrade purchase. We'll give advance notice and early-bird pricing to existing Pro users. This policy ensures we can continue improving the app while keeping the initial price affordable.

Learn more in our Pricing Policy.

All purchases are processed through the respective App Store. For refunds, you'll need to request one through Apple or Google. Please check your purchase receipt email for instructions on how to request a refund from the store where you downloaded the app.

Check that notifications are enabled for Travel Document Vault in your device Settings → Notifications. Also ensure you've added an expiry date to your document. Reminders are only scheduled when there's an expiry date.

OCR works best with good lighting and a flat document. Try adjusting the angle or lighting. If detection fails, you can always enter the expiry date manually. OCR is assistive. It's designed to help, not replace careful data entry.

Document quality depends entirely on your camera and lighting conditions. We don't modify, enhance, or improve images. What you capture is what you get. For best results: use good lighting (natural light works well), hold your phone steady, ensure the document is flat and fully visible in the frame, and clean your camera lens. The same applies to exported PDFs. Print quality reflects your original capture quality.

Probably not. Your data is saved automatically when you add or edit documents. A crash shouldn't cause data loss. Reopen the app and check your documents. If you're seeing issues, please contact us at support@traveldocumentvault.com.

No. Travel Document Vault is a personal organization tool only. It does not replace official documents, verify authenticity, or guarantee compliance with any immigration requirements. Always carry your original documents when traveling and verify requirements with official government sources.

Reminders are a convenience feature and should not be your only reminder system. We are not liable for missed deadlines, expired documents, or any consequences resulting from reminder failures. Please see our Terms of Service for full details.