What is the private folder?
Updated 5 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
Some papers are nobody else's business, and some you'd rather no AI looked at. That's what a private folder is for. Every folder you make yourself, under My folders, is a private folder.
What private means
- Only you can see the folder and the files in it. Other members can't, and neither can the vault owner.
- ViamOne stores each file safely and shows you a preview, but it doesn't read it. There's no AI summary, no document type, and no dates, reminders or tasks taken from it.
- Ask ViamOne never sees what's inside, and neither does vault search.
- The files live only in their folder. They don't show up in Files or in search results, even for you.
Security: Files in a private folder can't be sent to another vault or shared by link. To share one, move it to the vault first.
Make a private folder
On the web, go to Vault › Folders and click New folder under My folders. On the phone, tap Vault, then Folders, then New folder. Give it a name and a colour, and it's ready. See How do folders work? for the full steps.
Add files to it
- In the left menu, under Vault, click Folders.
- Under My folders, click your folder.
- Click Upload at the top and choose the files.
Add files to it
- Tap Vault, then Folders.
- Under My folders, tap your folder.
- Tap the + button and add a photo, a scan or a file.
When you open a file from a private folder, the summary area says AI doesn't process private files, and the Ask button is replaced by Move to vault.
Note: Only files you add straight into the folder are kept private. A document that's already in the vault stays in its AI folder, where the family can still see it.
Move a file out to the vault
If you change your mind about a file, you can hand it to the family and let ViamOne read it. This is done in the phone app.
- Open the file from your private folder.
- Tap Move to vault.
- Read the message, then tap Move to vault again to confirm.
The file leaves your folder, everyone in the vault can see it, and ViamOne reads it, so its dates, names and numbers go into search, Home and Ask. Moving it back into a private folder later won't make it private again.
Didn't work?
I can't find a private file in Files or search
That's on purpose. Private files live only in their folder. Open the folder to find them. In the phone app, use Search in this folder at the top.
My private file has no summary or expiry reminder
ViamOne doesn't read private files, so it can't make a summary or spot an expiry date. Set your own reminder with Remind, or move the file to the vault.
Someone else in the family can't see my folder
Private folders are only ever visible to the person who made them. To share a file with the family, move it to the vault.
Still need help?
Create a ticket and a person on our team will reply right here, on the support site.