The documented difference
Apple documents locking notes with a device passcode or a custom Notes password. Titles remain visible in the notes list, and several attachment types and shared notes cannot be locked through that feature. See Apple locked Notes’s official documentation.
Side-by-side decisions
| Question | NullVault | Apple locked Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main content | Private media, files and notes in the vault | Supported notes within Apple Notes |
| Visible organization | No master vault directory in normal pattern access | Locked note titles remain in the notes list |
| Compatibility check | Check import, backup and sharing by platform | Check note account, attachment type and OS requirements |
When Apple locked Notes is the better choice
Apple Notes may be the better fit when you only need a few supported protected notes and value its built-in editing workflow. It can also avoid an unnecessary migration when the existing note format and authentication model already meet your needs.
When NullVault fits
NullVault is relevant when you want documents and media organized together in independently addressed private spaces. It is not a replacement for every Notes editing, collaboration or device-integration feature. Read NullVault’s features and security limitations for the released scope.
Before you move an archive
Try a harmless note with the attachment type you use and check whether Apple permits locking it. For a vault migration, verify import fidelity and recovery separately. Read locked notes versus a photo vault for the broader task-oriented explanation.
How this comparison was prepared
This is a comparison of published product documentation as of 7 September 2026, not a hands-on security test or independent audit. Store plans and platform support can change. NullVault publishes this page; there are no affiliate rankings or invented star scores.