How iCloud Sync Works

Sync is powered by CloudKit, Apple's first-party cloud database. When sync is enabled, your vault data is stored in your private iCloud database — a partition of iCloud that Apple cannot read, and that is never shared with other users or third parties.

Vault records are encrypted before leaving your device. CloudKit also uses end-to-end encryption for data stored in the private database, meaning that even Apple cannot access the contents of your vault in iCloud. All data in transit is protected by TLS.

Enabling iCloud Sync

1. Open Settings in Silicon Secure

   Tap the Settings tab (gear icon) at the bottom of the screen.

2. Tap "iCloud Sync" and enable the toggle

   Find the iCloud Sync section and switch it on. Silicon Secure will request iCloud access from iOS if it hasn't already been granted.

3. Wait for the initial sync to complete

   The first sync uploads your entire vault to iCloud. On a large vault over a slow connection, this may take a minute. A sync status indicator in Settings shows when sync is active or complete.

4. Install Silicon Secure on your other devices

   On any other iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in with the same Apple ID, open Silicon Secure and enable iCloud Sync in Settings. Your vault will download automatically.

Sync Behavior

Once enabled, sync happens automatically in the background. Changes you make on one device — adding, editing, or deleting entries — are pushed to iCloud and pulled by your other devices within seconds when they're online. You don't need to manually trigger a sync.

If two devices make conflicting changes to the same entry simultaneously (for example, editing the same password on your iPhone and Mac while offline), CloudKit's conflict resolution handles it. The most recently saved version wins.

Offline Behavior

Silicon Secure works fully offline. Your vault is always available locally, regardless of iCloud status. When your device reconnects to the internet, any changes made while offline are synced automatically.

The sync status indicator in Settings will show "Offline" or "Waiting to sync" if a connection isn't available, so you always know the current state.

Disabling Sync

You can turn off iCloud sync at any time in Settings → iCloud Sync. Disabling sync does not delete your local vault — it simply stops syncing changes. Your data in iCloud is retained unless you explicitly delete it from iCloud in iOS Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Manage Storage.

iCloud Storage Usage

Vault data is stored in your iCloud private database and counts against your iCloud storage quota. For most users, vault data is tiny — a few kilobytes per entry — and even a vault with hundreds of entries will use only a small fraction of a typical iCloud plan.