Frequently Asked Questions

No. We have no servers and no accounts. Your documents are stored on your device by default. If you choose to enable optional Pro cloud backup, your vault is end-to-end encrypted on-device before upload to your own iCloud (iOS) or your own Google Drive (Android), sealed with a recovery code only you hold. We never receive your data and cannot read the encrypted backup. Neither can Apple or Google. The architecture was built this way from the start.

Sentry is a crash reporting tool that helps us find and fix bugs. It is disabled by default and sends absolutely nothing when turned off. If you choose to enable it in Settings, it only sends technical crash diagnostics like your device type and what the app was doing when it crashed. It never sends your documents, names, passport numbers, or anything from your vault.

Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks unlimited profiles, unlimited documents, combined PDF export, encrypted cloud backup to iCloud or Google Drive, and custom reminder timing. You pay once - no subscription, no recurring charge, and no trial that quietly starts billing you.

Yes. Your purchase covers every update within the current major version (v1.x), including bug fixes, security patches, and new features. Improvements driven by user feedback, like usability changes and new document types, are part of those normal updates. If we ever release a v2.0 with a substantially rebuilt feature set, that may be a separate purchase, but we would give early adopters advance notice and preferential pricing. People who trust the app early are the reason it gets better, and that is not something we take for granted.

Pro subscribers: Enable encrypted cloud backup in Settings - Cloud Backup. Your vault is encrypted on-device with your recovery code before it reaches iCloud (iOS) or Google Drive (Android). On a fresh install, the app detects the backup automatically and offers one-tap restore. Apple and Google see only ciphertext. We see nothing.

Everyone: Use the free Vault Export (.tdvault) in Settings and import it on any device. System backups (iCloud or Google) reinstall the app but cannot restore your documents - the encryption key never leaves your old device by design, so export before you switch phones.

Yes, completely. The core app has no server and does not need the internet to function. Scanning, viewing, exporting, and reminders all work offline. The features that need a connection are restoring your Pro purchase on a new device through the App Store or Google Play, and the optional Your Own Cloud backup, which uses your own iCloud or Google Drive account.

The app is available in over 40 languages, including full right-to-left support for Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi. Your phone's language is detected automatically, and you can change it any time in Settings. If something reads oddly in your language, we genuinely want to know. Drop us a line at support@traveldocumentvault.com and it will directly influence the roadmap.

Your documents live on your device, not on our servers, so they do not disappear if we stop releasing updates. The app will continue to work as it does today. You can also export everything at any time using the built-in export tools, so you are never locked in.

Travel Document Vault was built by Mustafa Hafeez, a senior software developer with years of professional experience building privacy-respecting applications, and a parent who needed this app for his own family. Privacy is not a marketing line. The app was designed and architected from day one so that no accounts are needed, no Travel Document Vault servers are ever involved, and your documents stay readable only by you. Optional cloud backup uses your own iCloud or Google Drive, end-to-end encrypted with a recovery code only you hold. That is a deliberate engineering decision, not a policy that could be changed with a settings toggle.

By default, all your data is stored exclusively on your device. We don't have servers or user accounts, and we have no way to access your documents. When you save a document, it stays in your phone's secure storage area. Pro users can enable optional Your Own Cloud backup, which sends an end-to-end encrypted copy of your vault to your own iCloud or Google Drive account. We still cannot read it.

Pro subscribers can enable encrypted cloud backup in the app (Settings - Cloud Backup). Your vault is encrypted on-device with your recovery code before it is uploaded to your own iCloud (iOS) or your own Google Drive AppFolder (Android). We have no access to your data. Apple and Google store only ciphertext.

There is no cloud database on our servers. We never see your documents.

A system-level device backup (iCloud Backup, Google Backup) reinstalls the app but does not restore your documents - the encryption key never leaves your original device. To move your vault to a new phone, use cloud backup (Pro) or the free Vault Export.

Yes. Vault Export (.tdvault encrypted backup file) is free for everyone. Go to Settings, Export Vault, and the app creates a password-protected file you can save to Files, iCloud Drive, or share off-device. The app also keeps automatic local backups on your device every few minutes, at no cost. Cloud backup to your own iCloud or Google Drive is the Pro option. No backup feature traps your data.

Yes. Your documents are encrypted on disk within the app's storage. 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 an encrypted backup file (.tdvault) via Settings 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.

Show to Another Person is a protected display mode for moments when a border officer, hotel receptionist, or airline agent needs to see a document on your screen. Tap the icon and the app enters a clean, full-screen view that blocks screenshots and screen recordings. When they hand your phone back, a single tap returns you to your vault.

Your documents never leave your device. This mode just gives you a safe, controlled way to present them to someone else without handing over access to your entire vault.

When you set up App Lock, the app generates a unique recovery code that's your safety net if you ever forget your PIN. Save it somewhere safe - your password manager, a printed note, anywhere you trust.

If you forget your PIN, enter your recovery code on the PIN screen. App Lock is disabled and you regain full access without losing a single document.

Without a recovery code, the only option is to delete and reinstall the app, which permanently erases your vault. Save your code when prompted. You will not get a second chance.

Auto-Erase permanently wipes your vault if too many incorrect PIN attempts are made. It is off by default. Enable it in Settings → App Lock if you want maximum protection against a stolen phone. Once too many wrong attempts are made, every document is erased and cannot be recovered.

Important: Enable Auto-Erase only after creating a vault export backup. That way, if it ever triggers accidentally, you can restore from your backup. Using it alongside a recovery code gives you both maximum security and a clear path back in.

Yes. Travel Document Vault is available on Android. Download it free on Google Play. Full feature parity with iOS: encrypted on-device storage, OCR scanning, expiry reminders, and all Pro features (unlimited profiles, batch export, custom reminder timing).

Yes, using encrypted Vault Export. 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 to our servers. We do not have any. All processing (including OCR scanning) happens on your device. If you turn on optional Pro cloud backup, the encrypted vault goes to your own iCloud or Google Drive, sealed with a recovery code only you hold. You can deny camera/photo 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, PIN Lock, and Biometric Lock (Face ID / Touch ID). Pro ($9.99 one-time*) unlocks unlimited profiles, unlimited documents, combined PDF export, encrypted cloud backup, custom reminder timing, and multi-page capture for Airline Tickets and Other Documents.

* See Pricing Policy for versioning details.

No. Pro is a one-time purchase of $9.99. Pay once, all v1.x updates included, forever. No recurring charges, no subscription.

About our version policy →

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.

Your $9.99 purchase covers every update within the current major version. That means all bug fixes, security patches, and new features released within the current version line. Your app keeps working and improving at no extra cost.

If a future major version (v2.0) is ever released with a significantly rebuilt feature set, that may be offered as a separate purchase. You would never be forced to upgrade. Your current version keeps working exactly as it does today. See our full version policy for details.

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.

Your vault is encrypted end-to-end using AES-256-GCM on your device before it leaves your phone. The key is derived from your recovery code. Apple and Google can see the encrypted file on their servers, but they cannot decrypt it. Neither can we. Only your recovery code unlocks it.

Your PIN is the day-to-day lock. Face ID is a fast shortcut to unlock. The recovery code is the master key for when you forget your PIN entirely. If Face ID fails, try your PIN. If you forget your PIN, enter your recovery code. If you lose the recovery code, you must reinstall the app and restore from cloud backup.

You can export your entire vault as an encrypted, password-protected backup file (.tdvault) from Settings, then import it on any device or fresh install. Round-trip export and import preserves everything exactly, so your data is portable and you are never locked in. For step-by-step instructions, see the export-import walkthrough. (Combined multi-document PDF export is a separate Pro feature.)

Read full guide →

Visitor mode tracks days IN a country. Home mode tracks days AWAY from your home country. Pick Visitor if you are following a rule like Schengen 90/180. Pick Home if you are tracking tax residency or a similar abroad-allowance rule. Unsure? Visitor is the safer default for most travellers.

Each family member is a separate profile with their own documents, photos, and reminders - your data is yours, your partner's is theirs, and profiles are local-only so they never sync between devices or people. This design respects privacy and ensures no accidental mixing of sensitive documents.

Without cloud backup, deleted items go to the trash for 30 days and are then permanently removed from your device. You can restore them at any time during that 30-day window. With cloud backup enabled, items stay in Recently Deleted indefinitely until you tap Delete Forever. See the Cloud Backup section below for details. Clearing the trash or factory-resetting your phone is irreversible.

Deleting moves it to Recently Deleted (trash). It stays there indefinitely, there is no automatic purge when cloud backup is on. The trashed document is still backed up to your cloud. To permanently remove it, go to Recently Deleted and tap Delete Forever on each item. You will see a warning that this also removes it from your cloud backup.

The app will not sync an empty vault to the cloud. Your existing backup is preserved. You can restore from it using Settings, Cloud Backup, Restore from Backup.

When you enable cloud backup on a new device signed into the same iCloud or Google account, the app detects your existing backup and asks whether to restore it or start fresh. Choose Restore from backup and enter your recovery code. Both devices then share the same backup. Starting fresh replaces the existing backup, only choose this if you are certain.

Cloud backup is designed as a single-device backup with multi-device restore. One device is the primary backup source. To move to a new device, restore from your backup on the new device. Simultaneous editing on two devices syncing to the same backup is not supported, the last device to sync wins.

You need an internet connection to enable cloud backup. The app checks for existing backups in your cloud account during setup, which requires connectivity. Once enabled, the app works fully offline and syncs when you are back online.

Yes, multiple layers protect you. Deleted documents stay in Recently Deleted indefinitely (no auto-purge with cloud backup on). Permanent deletion requires a separate confirmation that warns about cloud impact. Even after permanent deletion, the backup retains the document data for several more sync cycles as a safety net. And an empty vault is never synced to the cloud, so a bulk accident cannot wipe your backup.

Yes. Cloud backup is one safety layer, but no system is perfect. Cloud accounts can be lost, recovery codes can be forgotten, and unexpected sync or storage issues can happen. We strongly recommend keeping an independent copy of critical documents, such as a printed copy in a safe place or an encrypted vault export saved to separate storage. Treat cloud backup as a convenience, not your only line of defense. You are responsible for verifying your documents remain recoverable.

Your recovery code is the only key to decrypt your cloud backup. We have a zero-knowledge design, which means we cannot reset, retrieve, or recover it for you. Neither can Apple or Google. If you lose your recovery code, your encrypted backup becomes permanently unrecoverable. Save your recovery code somewhere safe before you depend on cloud backup. A password manager, a printed copy in a secure location, or both. Verify you can read it back before you store it as your only copy.

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.