Why is that different from folders?
Folders organize content after a library is already open. Pattern-addressed vaults make the credential part of selecting which library exists in the session. Someone given one valid pattern sees that vault, not a dashboard containing the names of the others.
| Model | What one successful unlock reveals |
|---|---|
| One library with folders | The library and usually its folder structure |
| One account with multiple profiles | A profile screen may reveal alternatives |
| One PIN plus a decoy mode | Depends on whether settings expose the real library |
| NullVault pattern-addressed spaces | The vault addressed by that pattern; no ordinary master list |
Example: Sam uses one pattern for personal documents and another for work reference files. Opening the work vault does not display a “personal” vault name or switcher. Sam still avoids revealing the second pattern through observation, backups, exports, or careless notes.
Does this prove other vaults do not exist?
No. It reduces disclosure through the normal interface. App storage size, operating-system records, backups, device analysis, timing, or a compromised process may suggest additional use. NullVault does not claim forensic invisibility or mathematical proof that no other vault exists.
Why might this be the best model?
It fits people who want compartmentalization: personal and work material, different projects, private and public-facing content, or a plausible space that can be opened without revealing everything else. It also avoids treating one global unlock as authority over every secret.
What are the costs?
Every additional pattern creates another recovery responsibility. Similar patterns can be confused. A forgotten pattern needs the correct device-recovery path while the vault remains on the device; losing the phone requires an encrypted backup. Destructive duress can make mistakes irreversible.
Platform availability
Pattern-addressed vaults are available in NullVault for iOS and Android. Each eligible pattern addresses a separate encrypted private space without first exposing a master vault list.
Explore pattern-locked vaults and how to choose a strong vault pattern.
Comparison reviewed: 28 August 2026.