Is a file still encrypted while previewed in SimpleumSafe 2?
The copy stored in the Safe remains encrypted. To display the contents, however, SimpleumSafe 2 decrypts a usable working copy into its encrypted Secure Temporary Storage. macOS Preview or Quick Look can read that working copy while the temporary storage is mounted.
This means the preview copy is encrypted at rest inside the temporary container, but it is not encrypted from the preview process or every process that is allowed to access the mounted container.
What happens to the preview copy?
- SimpleumSafe 2 removes the working copy when the preview operation ends.
- When SimpleumSafe quits, it makes the temporary storage unusable and creates a new encrypted temporary storage at the next start.
- If the app or Mac crashes, cleanup may be delayed until SimpleumSafe starts again.
Other macOS components or third-party applications can create their own thumbnails, recent-item records, caches, or diagnostic data. SimpleumSafe cannot guarantee deletion of artifacts created outside its temporary storage. Do not export or copy the file to an unencrypted location if it must remain protected.
SimpleumSafe 2 support status
SimpleumSafe 2 has been out of support since January 1, 2024. This page documents its legacy behavior; use a supported SimpleumSafe version for current fixes and compatibility.