Frequently asked questions
Practical answers before you lock a folder
Can the app recover my passphrase?
No. The app does not store vault passphrases. Keep yours in a trusted password manager.
Does the app upload files or require an account?
No. Locking, unlocking, and relocking run locally without an app account or app-managed cloud upload. Avoid placing an active sparsebundle vault in a cloud-synced folder because synchronization conflicts can damage the package.
What happens to the original folder?
After the copy passes verification and you approve the safety prompts, macOS moves the original folder to Trash. If that move fails, the original remains in place. Check the encrypted vault before emptying Trash.
Can I work with files in Finder?
Yes. An unlocked vault mounts as a Finder location. Close files before relocking so macOS can unmount the vault cleanly.
Can I use an external drive?
Yes, if the drive is writable and has enough free space. Do not disconnect it during vault creation, unlocking, or relocking.
Can I put a vault in iCloud Drive?
It is not recommended. A sparsebundle contains many band files, and synchronization or conflict copies can damage the vault. Keep working vaults on local or directly connected storage; relock them before copying a backup.
What versions of macOS are supported?
Version 1.0.1 supports macOS Catalina 10.15 and later on Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
What happens if I uninstall the app?
Your sparsebundle vaults are not deleted. Relock open vaults first and keep both the vault packages and passphrases available.
Is this a replacement for FileVault or backups?
No. FileVault protects an entire startup disk at rest. Lock My Folders protects selected folders in separate vaults. Neither replaces a reliable backup.