Photo-vault recovery depends on what was lost. A saved recovery key may let you choose a new Calculator Lock code, but it cannot restore a vault removed with the app. Before uninstalling or switching, keep Premium active, export the vault, open sample files, verify the expected contents, and save the result elsewhere.
Recovery depends on what was lost
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE PATH | LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Calculator Lock code | Use the saved recovery key to choose a new code. | The existing local vault must still be present. |
| Premium entitlement ended | Restore or renew before adding new content. | Existing content remains accessible and exportable. |
| App was deleted | Use a previously verified external export. | The recovery key cannot restore an uninstalled vault. |
| Another app’s password was forgotten | Use that app’s documented recovery process. | Calculator Lock cannot bypass a third-party vault. |
Support cannot regenerate Calculator Lock recovery material, bypass encryption, or open the vault. That limit protects the access model but makes preparation important.
Export while vault access is active
- Confirm that Premium is active and the vault opens normally.
- Unlock any individually protected items required by the export workflow.
- Run Export Everything from Safety Center.
- Wait for the package to finish or resolve any item failures.
- Save the package to Files, a computer, or another destination you control.
Calculator Lock’s complete export is included with Premium. Exported copies leave the vault’s encryption, so the destination’s privacy and backup rules now apply. The Calculator Lock vault overview explains the current access model.
Open samples and check the expected contents
- Open photos at full resolution rather than checking thumbnails alone.
- Play videos and Live Photo motion components where present.
- Compare folder names and expected item counts.
- Read the included manifest and note any failed items.
- Confirm that the package is stored outside Calculator Lock.
For a migration that also removes Photos originals, follow the safe photo move sequence.
A recovery key changes access, not storage history
A valid Calculator Lock recovery key can support choosing a new calculator code for an existing vault. It does not download a cloud copy because Calculator Lock has no launch cloud backup. It also cannot reconstruct files removed when the app and its local vault were deleted.
[ ] Recovery key stored outside the app [ ] Existing content exported and verified [ ] Complete export saved outside Calculator Lock [ ] Photos and videos opened from the destination [ ] Folder and item expectations checked [ ] App kept installed until every check passed
The encryption and recovery guide explains why support cannot recreate the local keys.
Do not assume iCloud Backup can replace an export
Apple says iCloud Backup can include app data that is not already synchronized, but apps can control whether protected files are eligible. Calculator Lock’s vault files are excluded from backup in the current implementation. A verified export is therefore the controlled recovery copy for uninstall or device-loss planning.
Apple’s iCloud Backup documentation is useful for understanding the general system, but it does not replace the app-specific storage rule.