A disguised app icon: hide your vault in plain sight
Swap VaultShield's Home Screen icon for a look-alike, like a Calculator or a Level. It still opens to your pattern, so a curious tap gets nowhere.
How it works
Disguise it in a few taps
- 1
Open App Icon
In VaultShield, go to Settings and open App Icon.
- 2
Tap a look-alike
Pick one of six icons. The Home Screen icon changes straight away, and iOS shows a short message to confirm it.
- 3
Give it a new name (optional)
iOS keeps the name VaultShield under the real icon. For a name like Calculator, VaultShield walks you through adding a Home Screen tile with Apple's Shortcuts app.
- 4
Hide the original (optional)
Press and hold the VaultShield icon, tap Remove App, then Move to App Library. The disguised tile stays and still opens VaultShield.
What you get
Blends in, still locked
Six look-alikes
Calculator, Units, Level, Printer, Device Info and Storage. Pick the one that fits your Home Screen.
One tap to switch
Change the icon whenever you like. No reinstall, and your vault stays exactly as it was.
Still asks for your pattern
A disguise is not a way in. Opening the app still asks for your pattern, with Face ID on top if you turned it on.
A name to match
With the optional Shortcuts tile, the name under the icon can match too, like Calculator or Converter.
Original out of sight
Move the real VaultShield icon to the App Library and keep only the disguised tile on your Home Screen.
Back to normal any time
Choose Default in App Icon to bring back the original VaultShield icon.
Good to know
What it doesn’t do
We’d rather you know the limits now than find them later.
The real icon keeps its name
iOS doesn't let apps rename their own icon, so it still says VaultShield underneath. A custom name needs the optional Shortcuts tile.
It isn't invisible
VaultShield still appears by name in the App Library, in search and in Settings. A disguise stops a glance at your Home Screen, not someone searching your phone.
iOS says the icon changed
When you switch icons, iOS shows a short message saying so. It only appears at the moment you change it.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. The icon changes how the app looks, not how it opens. You still draw your pattern, with Face ID on top if you turned it on.
Not on the real app icon, because iOS doesn't allow it. VaultShield can walk you through adding a Home Screen tile with your chosen name through Apple's Shortcuts app, then you can hide the original.
Calculator, Units, Level, Printer, Device Info and Storage. You can switch between them, or back to the original, at any time.
Yes, if they look for it. It is listed by name in the App Library, in search and in Settings. The disguise is for the Home Screen; the pattern is what keeps your photos private.
Open App Icon in VaultShield's settings and choose Default.