Define the repair-photo decision
A contractor may need wall damage and measurements but not family photos, keys, mail or a complete room inventory. Export creates a new plaintext copy that needs its own handling decision.
Export only the images needed for one estimate, claim or repair decision and review gallery re-exposure.
Run the control sequence
- 01Confirm the recipient, purpose and exact images requested.
- 02Create a minimized export rather than sharing the whole vault album.
- 03Review metadata, backgrounds and adjacent thumbnails for private details.
- 04Use an approved delivery channel and confirm receipt.
- 05Reconcile exported copies in the gallery, downloads and messaging apps.
Preserve enough evidence
Record the repair project, image group, original location, vault album, backup location, authorized recipients, export date, phone and Android versions, recovery evidence and next review date. Do not put passwords, addresses or unnecessary household details in the decision record.
Keep the photo manifest, vault album, backup result, export recipient, tested device environment and recovery notes together without duplicating sensitive household details.
Keep surrounding controls visible
A private vault cannot control screenshots, forwarding, recipient storage or copies created after export.
Repair photos can remain in the camera roll, messages, email, cloud galleries, downloads, contractor portals and exported folders after one copy enters a vault. Review those copies separately, keep a verified backup outside the phone and test the current app on the exact Android version before relying on it. Record what was imported, what remained outside, who received an export and how recovery was verified. Recheck the workflow after app, Android, phone or backup changes, and never delete the only original to create the appearance of privacy.
Questions to ask
Does importing a photo remove every gallery or cloud copy?
No. Audit and reconcile camera-roll, message, email, cloud and exported copies separately.
Does a vault replace a separate backup?
No. Keep full-resolution originals in a separately controlled, tested backup before migration or deletion.
Primary references
References support specific controls and do not imply endorsement.