Pixelveil Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pixelveil do?

Pixelveil encrypts image content into an authenticated container and stores that container in a lossless PNG carrier. The original image can be restored in Pixelveil with the same password, provided the carrier's encoded pixels remain unchanged.

Is Pixelveil using standard encryption?

Yes. Pixelveil uses AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption, PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 key derivation, and secure random salt and nonce values supplied through Apple's operating-system cryptography. It does not use the retired deterministic image transformation previously described on this website.

Can Pixelveil recover a forgotten password?

No. Pixelveil does not store passwords, recovery keys, or password hints. Keep the password in a trusted password manager and verify a complete restore before discarding an important original.

What happens when the password is wrong?

Authenticated decryption fails and Pixelveil does not release an image. It does not transform the carrier again.

Can I crop, resize, edit, or recompress the carrier?

No. The encoded pixels contain the protected data. Cropping, resizing, filtering, markup, screenshots, optimization, or conversion to JPEG or HEIC can make the carrier unreadable.

Can I rename the PNG or ZIP file?

Yes. A filename change does not alter the carrier data. Do not edit the PNG content or extract and rebuild the compatibility package.

What is a compatibility package?

It is a standard ZIP containing exactly one unchanged Pixelveil carrier PNG. It lets the carrier travel as a document through services that may recompress ordinary photos. The package contains no password, recovery data, or manifest.

How should I share a carrier?

Use Share Compatibility Package for messaging, or send the original PNG through Files, AirDrop, an email attachment, a cloud link, or document/file mode. Avoid photo and social-media workflows that resize or optimize images. Send the password separately.

Can Decrypt accidentally encrypt an ordinary image?

No. Pixelveil validates selected content before showing the password controls. An ordinary photo or unsupported package is rejected rather than processed as an encrypted carrier.

Does Pixelveil collect my images or passwords?

No. Images and passwords are processed on your device and are not uploaded to a Leiter Consulting server. Pixelveil contains no advertising or tracking SDKs and does not collect usage analytics.

Does Pixelveil require an internet connection?

Core image encryption and decryption do not require a Leiter Consulting server or account. App Store purchase, restore, email, cloud storage, and third-party sharing services may require a network connection.

What is free, and what does Pro include?

Decryption is always available. Free users can create up to 10 encrypted carriers. Pixelveil Pro is a one-time purchase that removes the encryption limit and enables Rapid Encrypt Mode. There are no ads and no subscriptions.

Which devices are supported?

Pixelveil 1.0 supports compatible iPhone and iPad devices running iOS or iPadOS 18 or later.

Is Pixelveil open source?

The Pixelveil application is not currently open source. Notices for the software components used by the app are available from Settings.

How do I get help?

Visit Pixelveil Support or email pixelveil@leiter.email. Include the app version, operating-system version, device model, and the step that failed. Do not send your password.