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Decoy PIN

Set a second PIN under App Lock that opens an empty-looking gallery while real albums stay hidden. Biometrics always open the real vault.

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Decoy PIN

Decoy PIN is a second 4–6 digit PIN, different from your real vault PIN. Entering it unlocks a limited “safe” view instead of your full private vault. Use it when you must unlock under pressure and do not want to reveal private albums.

PIN What you see
Vault PIN (real) Full app and albums you normally unlock
Decoy PIN Empty-looking / decoy-safe gallery — real private albums stay hidden
Face ID / fingerprint Always opens the real vault — never the decoy

Where to find it

  1. Go to Account Settings → App Lock.
  2. Set a real vault PIN first (Enable App Lock / Set PIN) if you do not have one.
  3. Under Decoy PIN, tap Set decoy PIN (or Change decoy PIN).
  4. Enter a different 4–6 digit PIN, then confirm it.

Label in the app: Decoy PIN
Short description in settings: A second PIN opens an empty-looking gallery. Real albums stay hidden. Biometrics always open the real vault.

How it works

  1. Someone (or you) opens the App Lock unlock screen.
  2. If they enter the decoy PIN, FWDLink starts a decoy session: only decoy-safe albums appear (or an empty-looking gallery if none are marked safe). Encrypted albums never appear in decoy mode.
  3. If they enter the real vault PIN, you get a normal unlocked session.
  4. Face ID / fingerprint always maps to the real vault. The decoy only works when someone types the decoy PIN.

While a decoy session is active, decoy and failed-unlock management controls stay hidden so the decoy view looks ordinary.

Example

You keep work albums safe to show and personal albums locked. You set a Decoy PIN and (when available) choose which albums are decoy-safe. If someone insists you unlock the app, you enter the decoy PIN — they see only the safe set, not your fully private albums.

Tips

  • The decoy PIN must differ from your vault PIN or it cannot be saved.
  • Never tell anyone that a decoy exists — that is what makes it useful.
  • Practice once: unlock with the real PIN, lock again, then unlock with the decoy so you remember which is which.
  • Decoy sessions do not unlock real encrypted album keys.
  • Use Remove decoy in App Lock if you no longer want a second PIN.
  • Combine with Safer album covers so the library grid does not leak private thumbnails.

Troubleshooting

Vault PIN cannot match the decoy PIN
Choose a different vault PIN, or remove the decoy first, then set the vault PIN you want.

Decoy PIN must differ from your vault PIN
Pick another 4–6 digit combination when setting the decoy.

Biometrics opened my real albums
Expected. Face ID / fingerprint always opens the real vault. Only typing the decoy PIN opens the decoy gallery.

I don’t see Decoy PIN in settings
You need a vault PIN first. Open Account Settings → App Lock, set a PIN, then look for Decoy PIN. Decoy and fail-log controls are also hidden during an active decoy session — unlock with the real PIN to manage them.

Need more help?
Browse the Help Center or Contact support.

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