Bulbul: Private Code Spaces
Share Files Into Any Vault
Free
Open a private workspace by code, then share photos, files, notes, and links into the right space from any app. No exposed list of spaces.
Open the right private workspace by entering its code.
Bulbul is for photos, files, notes, links, and web research that should stay separated by context. One code can open a work space, another can open family files, another can open receipts or private notes.
Code-addressed spaces
- Text codes, patterns, and numeric codes can each open a different space.
- There is no exposed list of every space in the app.
- There is no master password that opens everything at once.
- Decoy spaces are natural: every code opens a real, separate space.
Capture into the right place
- Share files, photos, and links into Bulbul from other apps.
- Pick the code for the space where the item belongs.
- Save YouTube and web links as shortcuts inside the right project.
- Pin widgets to jump directly into a specific space and tab.
Work inside each space
- File manager for folders, documents, images, PDFs, and videos.
- Markdown editor for private notes and read mode.
- Camera that saves directly into the active space, not your camera roll.
- Built-in browser with a separate session per space.
- Per-space iCloud sync controls when you want a space to stay local.
Made for people who
- Keep work files, family photos, project notes, and receipts in separate contexts.
- Share a device but do not want one visible folder of private material.
- Prefer opening only the space they need, instead of unlocking everything.
Important
- Forgotten codes cannot be recovered.
- Bulbul stores data on your device and in the iCloud account you explicitly enable.
Requires iOS 26 or later. Universal app for iPhone and iPad.
more 2.6.1 makes private spaces easier to understand and safer to use.
- The opening screen and tutorial now explain more clearly that every code opens a separate private space.
- Sharing multiple items is now all-or-nothing, with clear feedback if an item cannot be prepared.
- Editors save changes in order and wait for the latest save before closing.
- Browser session recovery and downloads are more resilient, with safer handling of unusually large streaming media.
- Camera recording and voice memo saving are more reliable.
- Biometric links, iCloud space migration, and file protection are safer while preserving existing spaces.
2.6.1 11 Jul
- New Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight actions let you lock or open Bulbul without launching the app first.
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.6.0 1 Jul
- New Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight actions let you lock or open Bulbul without launching the app first.
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.5.0 25 May
- New Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight actions let you lock or open Bulbul without launching the app first.
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.4.0 19 May
- New Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight actions let you lock or open Bulbul without launching the app first.
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.3.5 18 May
- New Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight actions let you lock or open Bulbul without launching the app first.
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.3.4 18 May
- The Add button is now a floating + you can drag to either edge of the screen — it snaps and remembers its side.
- The widget's bulbul tile became a Quick Memo button; tap it to unlock and open a fresh memo instantly.
- Files list rows now respond to swipe gestures for Delete, Rename, and Set as background. A new "Delete without confirmation" toggle in Settings is there for power users.
- The text editor saves as you type and the edge swipe-back gesture works again.
- Fixed a regression where picking from Files or Photos could briefly flash the lock screen and freeze the UI behind a stale modal.
2.3.3 14 May
- New: Home Screen widget. Add a small Bulbul widget, set its vault code, choose Files, Browser, or Camera, then tap once to open that exact view.
- The widget hands off only an encrypted token, so your codes never appear in plaintext logs or backups.
- YouTube shares can now be saved as .url shortcuts in a vault, so videos open later from the Files tab.
- Smoother return from background — no extra passcode flicker after a widget tap or app switch.
2.3.2 13 May
- New: Home Screen widget. Add a small Bulbul widget, set its vault code, choose Files, Browser, or Camera, then tap once to open that exact view.
- The widget hands off only an encrypted token, so your codes never appear in plaintext logs or backups.
- YouTube shares can now be saved as shortcuts in a vault, so videos open later from the Files tab.
- Smoother return from background — no extra passcode flicker after a widget tap or app switch.
2.3.1 11 May
- New: Home Screen widget. Add a small Bulbul widget, set its vault code, and tap once to open that vault straight from the Home Screen.
- The widget hands off only an encrypted token, so your codes never appear in plaintext logs or backups.
- Smoother return from background — no extra passcode flicker after a widget tap or app switch.
2.3.0 10 May
- Long-press a number on the lock screen to instantly open a linked vault. Set it up in Settings → Security → Digit shortcut.
- The app is now called Bulbul. Same vaults, same files — just a clearer name.
- Faster file browser thanks to background I/O.
- Copy refined throughout: "vault" used consistently for your protected spaces.
2.2.0 8 May
- New Pattern Lock as another way to enter your code.
- Move every file in a folder to a different vault in one tap.
- Haptics can now be toggled on or off in Settings.
- A lock cover hides content automatically when the app goes inactive, and foreground notifications now appear on screen.
- Browser homepage syncs as a pinned bookmark automatically.
- New app icon, first-launch in-context tips, and small interaction polish.
- Fixes for inline video playback, landscape passcode digit visibility, and vault state after resume.
2.1.0 7 May
- Set the file browser background per vault — pick an image, or a fill color for the letterbox area around it.
- New camera grid guide toggle (3×3 overlay). It only helps you frame; captures are unaffected.
- Streamlined the tab bar — Settings and browser options now live in the top-right ⋯ menu.
- Localization polish and stability improvements.
2.0.2 3 May
- New Camera tab: capture photos and videos straight into the active vault, with multi-shot mode and timestamped filenames.
- Markdown editor now has separate reader and editor modes — view notes cleanly, then tap to switch to editing.
- New Share Extension: send files into a vault directly from other apps' share sheet.
- iCloud-enabled vaults now route shared files into the correct ubiquity container.
- Browser floating bar auto-hides while the keyboard is up, giving you more room to type.
- Unified the lock screen entry path — the passcode screen now appears instantly, with no animation, regardless of how it was triggered.
- Stability and security polish.
2.0.1 1 May
- A function to back up directly using the File app or Finder has been added,
- iCloud real-time synchronization is now possible,
- iCloud synchronization can be set for each individual folder,
- You can use the iCloud function to secure device capacity,
- Optimization has increased app speed,
- Fixed a bug in the folder move function.
1.24.2 08/04/2023
- Webview tab supports multiple windows like Safari app.
1.24.1 16/03/2023
- Modified backup file to use folder code as password
- Added secret webview function
- Added file name change function
- Fixed a bug where the contents of the previous folder were displayed when a new folder was displayed for a short while
- iPad crash fix
- Add emergency escape function in text editor
- Changed launch screen design
- Changed the design of the empty folder screen
1.23.3 14/03/2023
- Modified backup file to use folder code as password
- Added secret webview function
- Added file name change function
- Fixed a bug where the contents of the previous folder were displayed when a new folder was displayed for a short while
- iPad crash fix
- Add emergency escape function in text editor
- Changed launch screen design
1.23.2 11/03/2023
- Modified backup file to use folder code as password
- Added secret webview function
- Added file name change function
- Fixed a bug where the contents of the previous folder were displayed when a new folder was displayed for a short while
- iPad crash fix
1.23.1 11/03/2023
- Modified backup file to use folder code as password
- Added secret webview function
- Added file name change function
- Fixed a bug where the contents of the previous folder were displayed when a new folder was displayed for a short while
1.23.0 10/03/2023
- Drag & Drop Move files to subfolders.
- Slide to move files to parent folder.
- Organize temporary storage files to optimize storage space.
1.22.3 07/03/2023
- Fixed a bug where copying files from outside to a folder intermittently did not work
- Add jpeg to external file copy extension
- Added the ability to refresh by pulling the folder screen
- Added the ability to automatically report bugs to developer
- Fixed a bug that caused a crash with the Backup/Share button on the iPad
1.22.1 06/03/2023
- Add file movement by swiping left and right on the preview screen,
- Folder delete, move function added,
- Added a button to move to the code input screen.
1.22.0 04/03/2023
- Added folder backup function.
- Added txt editor.
1.21.0 04/03/2023
1. Add import function in Files app
2. Add folder opening history view
3. Fixed a bug where the size was distorted in the list view
1.20 09/10/2020
2.6.1 makes private spaces easier to understand and safer to use.
- The opening screen and tutorial now explain more clearly that every code opens a separate private space.
- Sharing multiple items is now all-or-nothing, with clear feedback if an item cannot be prepared.
- Editors save changes in order and wait for the latest save before closing.
- Browser session recovery and downloads are more resilient, with safer handling of unusually large streaming media.
- Camera recording and voice memo saving are more reliable.
- Biometric links, iCloud space migration, and file protection are safer while preserving existing spaces.
more Version 2.6.1 11 Jul
Data Used to Track You The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Data Not Linked to You The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Supported Features
VoiceOver
Larger Text
Dark Interface 