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Getting started with Fixative

In this tutorial, you will create a new vault, set the PIN and passphrase that unlock it, and import your first photos so you can see them in your gallery.

Before you begin

  • Install Fixative on your Mac or iPhone and open it.
  • Have a few photos on the device ready to import.
  • Set aside about ten minutes somewhere private.

This tutorial creates a vault on one device and leaves recovery setup for later, so you have the shortest possible path to seeing your photos. You will set that up afterward — this tutorial links you to it at the end.

Step 1: Start a new vault

On the first screen, under Create a new vault, tap Continue.

You should now see a screen titled Create a Passphrase.

Step 2: Choose your passphrase

Your passphrase unlocks your full-quality original photos and videos. Type a passphrase you will remember into the Passphrase field, then type it again into Confirm passphrase. Tap Continue.

There is no way to reset this passphrase for you if you forget it, so choose something you will remember (see How your photos are protected to understand why).

You should now see a screen titled Create a PIN.

Step 3: Choose your PIN

Your PIN is a quick code for everyday unlocking. Enter a PIN of 4 to 12 digits, then enter the same PIN again to confirm it.

You should now see the question Which devices will you use this vault on?

Step 4: Set up for this device

Tap Just this device.

You should now see a screen titled Recovery Key.

Step 5: Skip recovery setup for now

Tap Set up later.

You should now see a short progress screen while Fixative creates your vault, followed by the first of a few optional setup screens (duress PIN, thumbnail blur, screen-capture protection, viewing history).

Step 6: Skip the optional setup screens

On each of these screens, tap Skip. Keep tapping Skip until you reach a screen titled You’re All Set.

You should now see the You’re All Set screen, with a reminder that your Recovery Key still needs to be set up.

Step 7: Finish setup

Tap Done.

You should now see your home screen, titled Fixative. Your vault is open.

Step 8: Import your first photos

Tap Import.

Because photos are your full-quality originals, Fixative asks for your passphrase the first time you reach for them in this session. Enter the passphrase you chose in Step 2 and unlock.

You should now see the Import Media screen.

Step 9: Choose photos to import

Tap Choose from Photos… (on iPhone) or Choose Files… (on Mac), and pick a few photos. Fixative shows a progress screen while it imports them, then an Import complete summary. Tap Done.

Step 10: See your photos in the gallery

From the home screen, under Collections, tap All Photos.

You should now see your imported photos as a grid of thumbnails. You’ve made it — your photos are in your vault.

What you’ve done

You created a vault, set the PIN and passphrase that unlock it, and imported your first photos into your gallery. You can now browse your thumbnails any time with your PIN, and unlock full-quality originals with your passphrase.

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