Memory Aid LockBox

Shop Manual — the complete owner's guide

Memory Aid LockBox is a private, Face ID–locked vault for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It keeps the things you need to keep and remember — cards, account logins and codes, photos, notes, a journal, contacts, receipts, and appointments — in folders built for each kind of item. Everything stays on your device and in your own private iCloud; there is no developer server and no one else can see your data.

Contents
  1. Requirements & compatibility
  2. Getting started
  3. Folders & templates
  4. How to — common tasks
  5. Features in depth
  6. Privacy & security
  7. Troubleshooting
  8. Support

1. Requirements & compatibility

2. Getting started

First launch

On first launch the app sets up a set of starter folders — one for each template — so you have a place for everything right away. There is no account to create and no sign-in; the app uses your device and your own iCloud.

Unlocking and locking

Sync across your devices

With iCloud signed in, your vault syncs automatically across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through your private iCloud database. Add or delete an item on one device and the change appears on the others. Sync catches up automatically when a device comes back online.

3. Folders & templates

Every folder is created from a template, which decides the entry form and detail view for the items inside. New folders pick a template; Custom / Notes is the flexible catch-all. There is one underlying item type, and each template simply shows the fields that make sense for it — so adding a template never migrates or risks your existing data.

TemplateWhat it holds
Custom / NotesTitle, a long note body, an optional PIN/code, and attachments. The catch-all — leave the code blank for a plain note, fill it to store a coded thing.
CardsCard type, plain-text fields, and a card image. Includes Present to Cashier (full-screen, brightened) for scanning.
Codes / AccountsService, username, password, website, and Notes / 2FA. Shown in plain text — the vault is the lock.
JournalDate and time (to the second), title, a resizable body, header image, and an optional tagged location. Entries sort newest-first by their own timestamp. Exports to Markdown, PDF, and Apple Notes.
ContactsA full contact card imported from Apple Contacts (every field preserved) or entered by hand. Person or Business, with an interaction log and significant dates. Business contacts add website, hours, and a map.
ReceiptsStore, address, date, line items, subtotal/tax/total, and payment. Scan to fill; turn into a geofenced shopping list; add the store to Contacts.
AppointmentsTitle, date and time, address (with a map), phone, and prep notes. Add to Apple Calendar or Reminders.
PhotosA media library rather than an item list — images kept together, with metadata.

You can also configure fields per folder — hide built-in fields you don't use, or add your own.

4. How to — common tasks

Add a folder

Tap the add-folder button, name it, pick a template, and choose an icon. The folder opens with the entry form for that template.

Add an item

Open a folder and tap +. Fill the fields for that template and tap Save.

Scan a card or receipt

  1. In a Cards or Receipts item, tap Fill from scan.
  2. Scan the card/receipt or pick a photo.
  3. The app reads it on-device and fills the fields; review and edit before saving.

Tag where you made an entry

On a Note, Journal, or Receipt, tap Tag current location. It records where you are (never automatically), shows a small map, and taps through to Apple Maps. Journal entries also save a map-pin picture as an attachment. Tap Remove location to clear it.

Present a card to a scanner

Open a Cards item with a card image and tap Present to Cashier — the screen goes full-screen and full-brightness so a scanner can read the barcode off the glass.

Turn a receipt into a shopping list

On a Receipt, choose Make shopping list. The line items become an Apple Reminders list, geofenced to the store address so it reminds you when you arrive.

Export a journal

From the Journal, export to Markdown (with every image), PDF, or an .enex file that imports straight into Apple Notes.

Save and share contacts

Import an Apple contact into a Contacts folder (the full card is preserved), or export a vault contact back to Apple Contacts. Any record can be shared out as a clean text summary through the system share sheet.

5. Features in depth

Security

Face ID / Touch ID with a passcode fallback, auto-lock, and an immediate lock on backgrounding. Sensitive fields are shown in plain text on purpose — the vault itself is the lock.

Sync

Your vault is stored with SwiftData and mirrored to your private iCloud (CloudKit) database, so it stays consistent across your own devices.

On-device intelligence

Text recognition and the extraction / "ask your vault" features run entirely on-device. Scanned content and questions are never sent to a server.

Maps & location

Contacts, receipts, and appointments show a small map for their address that taps through to Apple Maps — this looks up the address you entered and does not use your location. Separately, the manual Tag location button records where you made a note/journal/receipt.

Sharing & export

Share any record out, export journals to Markdown/PDF/Apple Notes, and turn receipts into geofenced shopping lists.

6. Privacy & security

Full policy: fluharty.me/privacy.html

7. Troubleshooting

Face ID won't unlock

Use your device passcode — it's always available as a fallback. Check that Face ID is enabled for the app in Settings.

My vault isn't syncing to another device

Confirm both devices are signed in to the same iCloud account with iCloud Drive on, and are online. Sync catches up automatically once connected.

A scan filled the wrong fields

Scanning is a starting point — every field stays editable, so correct anything before saving. Results are best on clear, flat, well-lit images.

The camera opens but nothing is captured

Make sure the app has camera permission in Settings. Tap the shutter circle to capture.

8. Support

Email michael@fluharty.com with a description of the issue, the device you're on, and the version number from the Settings screen.