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Sharing from the vault: what’s allowed

Password and private share are OK for vault albums; monetization and open public links are blocked. Learn how invite members fits in.

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Sharing from the vault: what’s allowed

Encrypted or vault-locked albums are built for private storage first. You can still share with a gate — but not every share type is available.

Share type Vault / encrypted album Why
Password Allowed Recipients need the password you set
Private (invite-style) Allowed Closed to the public; people you invite unlock with their own account
Open public Blocked Vault content must stay gated
Monetize (paid unlock, memberships, tips, sales) Blocked Paid or open distribution is not available for vault albums

Password and private share

On a vault album you can create a password-protected or Private share link from the album’s share controls.

  1. Open the album from Records / albums.
  2. Unlock it if Album lock or encryption asks for your PIN or passphrase.
  3. Open share / link options for the album (or selected photos).
  4. Choose Password or Private — not open public, and not a paid access type.
  5. For Password, set the share password. For Private, create the private link, then use Invite members when you want people to join with their own accounts.

When you share from an encrypted album, photos are prepared on this device into a gated share package. Recipients see what you shared — not your vault passphrase.

Example

You keep a private travel album encrypted. You create a password link for a partner and send the password separately. Monetize and open-public options stay unavailable for that vault album.

Monetize is blocked

Monetization — paid unlock, memberships, tips, sales, or attaching the vault album to a public shop/page as paid content — is not available while the album is encrypted or vault-locked.

If you try, you may see a message that encrypted or vault-locked albums can’t be monetized, and to use a password-protected or private share instead.

If you need paid or public distribution

  1. Unlock the album.
  2. Use Remove encryption… / Un-encrypt album from full lock settings if the album is encrypted.
  3. Confirm you understand photos are no longer stored the same private/ciphertext way.
  4. Set up normal sharing or monetization only for content that follows platform rules.

Invite members

Invite members works with Private access — not with password-only links.

  • Switch the share access to Private to enable invites.
  • Password links stay password-only (no invite list).
  • Invited people join with their own FWDLink account, then open the private gallery URL.
  • Prefer single-use or short-lived invites. See Invite people to a shared album.

Require unlock vs encryption

  • Require unlock to open alone does not turn off share links. It gates viewing in the app. Share links keep their own password or private rules.
  • Encrypted / Locked album is what enforces vault share limits: password/private OK; public and monetize blocked.

Tips

  • Keep vault albums for personal or gated sharing; use a non-vault album when you need open public or paid surfaces.
  • Platform rules on explicit public or shared content still apply after you un-encrypt.
  • Combine gated shares with safer album covers so your library grid does not preview private photos.

Troubleshooting

I can still create a share link with Require unlock on
Expected. Require unlock protects the app view. Share links use their own gates.

Share or monetize says vault / private storage only
For monetize or open public: expected on vault albums. Use password or private, or remove encryption if you intentionally need those features under content policy.

Invite members is disabled
Switch access to Private. Password links do not use the invite panel.

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

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