Manage TrueCrypt containers on your Android device

Martin Brinkmann
Apr 25, 2014
Updated • Sep 14, 2018
Apps, Google Android
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I used the encryption software TrueCrypt for several years on all of my Windows PCs to protect data on the devices. I usually encrypt all partitions using the application so that the data is only accessible in encrypted form when the PC is turned off, and so that someone who wants access to the PC needs to supply the password on boot that decrypts the data.

Sometimes, I do make use of TrueCrypt containers instead. Container files are usually smaller files that work similar as they protect files that you move into them from third-party access. The main advantage here is that they are flexible to use. Not only can you select any file name and extension, their smaller size makes them ideal for moving them to other devices or systems, or for hiding them in plain sight.

One of the limitations of TrueCrypt up until now was that there was no official support for mobile devices. While you can move the container files to your Android device, for instance by using Dropbox, you cannot really open them on it.

Update: TrueCrypt development ended under mysterious circumstances. Encryption programs like VeraCrypt were created that are based on TrueCrypt's format. Recent versions of EDS support VeraCrypt, LUKS, and EncFs container formats as well.

EDS Lite

eds truecrypt on android

Encrypted Data Store (EDS) is an application for Android devices that is available as a free lite version and a paid version. The encryption software supports TrueCrypt container files which means that you can load them in the application on your Android device.

The Lite version is limited severely though:

  • It only supports AES, Serpent and Twofish algorithms.
  • No hidden container support.
  • No keyfile support.
  • No direct access to containers via network shares or directly from a PC.
  • No media playback from within container files.
  • No indexed search to find files or records.
  • No container synchronization with Dropbox.
  • No container mounting (requires root).

As you can see, quite a lot of limitations. If all you want to do is gain access to files stored in a TrueCrypt container, then the free version may be sufficient for that provided that the container was created using one of the three supported algorithms and uses the FAT file system.

So how do you get the TrueCrypt container on the Android device? You can still use Dropbox for that or any other cloud synchronization service such as Google Drive, but the linking won't be automatic in this case. If you run the full version of the app, you can automate the process further.

All you need to do is pick the container file in your Dropbox folder on Android to add it to the list of available containers. Supply the password to display its files and access them like any other file on the system.

Since Dropbox is not automatically syncing files to Android -- only file information -- you either need to download the container file manually to your device, or use an application such as Dropsync to automatically do so.

What I like about EDS Lite in particular is that it requires no network access. In fact, the only three permissions it requests are to modify or delete contents on USB storage, test access to protected storage, and prevent the device from sleeping.

The full version of EDS requires additional permissions though including full network access.

Additional information about the application and its feature set are available on the author's homepage.

Closing Words

If you want to access TrueCrypt containers on your Android device, then EDS is the application to install for that. It is easy enough to setup and use, even though I wish it would offer better file management capabilities (especially copying files to a container).

The free version is somewhat limited, and if have encrypted a container using a non-supported algorithm, require key file support, direct access to containers on network shares, or Dropbox integration, then you may want to consider purchasing the full version of the application instead.

Summary
software image
Author Rating
1star1star1star1star1star
1.5 based on 6 votes
Software Name
Encrypted Data Store (EDS)
Operating System
Android
Software Category
Privacy
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Comments

  1. bruh said on August 18, 2023 at 1:25 pm
    Reply

    Uhh, this has already been possible – I am not sure how but remember my brother telling me about it. I’m not a whatsapp user so not sure of the specifics, but something about sending the image as a file and somehow bypassing the default compression settings that are applied to inbound photos.

    He has also used this to share movies to whatsapp groups, and files 1Gb+.

    Like I said, I never used whatsapp, but I know 100% this isn’t a “brand new feature”, my brother literally showed me him doing it, like… 5 months ago?

  2. 💥 said on August 18, 2023 at 3:55 pm
    Reply

    Martin, what happened to those: 12 Comments (https://www.ghacks.net/chatgpt-gets-schooled-by-princeton-university/#comments). Is there a specific justifiable reason why they were deleted?

    Hmm, it looks like the gHacks website database is faulty, and not populating threads with their relevant cosponsoring posts.

  3. 45 RPM said on August 19, 2023 at 6:29 pm
    Reply

    The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk that it’s about to be deleted from my ‘daily reads’.

    It’s really like “Press Release as re-written by some d*ck for clicks…poorly.” And the subjects are laughable. Can’t wait for “How to search for files on Windows”.

    1. owl said on August 20, 2023 at 12:51 am
      Reply

      > The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk…

      Sadly, I have to agree.

      Only Martin and Ashwin are worth subscribing to.
      Especially Emre Çitak and Shaun are the worst ones.

      If ghacks.net intended “Clickbait”, it would mark the end of Ghacks Technology News.
      Ghacks doesn’t need crappy clickbaits. Clearly separate articles from newer authors (perhaps AIs and external sales person or external advertising man) as just “Advertisements”!

      We, the subscribers of Ghacks, urge Martin to make a decision.

  4. chessandonions said on August 20, 2023 at 12:40 am
    Reply

    because nevermore wants to “monetize” on every aspect of human life…

  5. Frank Rizzo said on August 20, 2023 at 11:52 pm
    Reply

    “Threads” is like the Walmart of Social Media.

  6. Ashray said on August 21, 2023 at 4:06 pm
    Reply

    How hard can it be to clone a twitter version of that as well? They’re slow.

  7. Paul(us) said on August 21, 2023 at 5:16 pm
    Reply

    Yes, why not mention how large the HD files can be?
    Why, not mention what version of WhatsApp is needed?
    These omissions make the article feel so bare. If not complete.

    1. Paul(us) said on August 21, 2023 at 5:18 pm
      Reply

      Sorry posted on the wrong page.

  8. Marc said on August 21, 2023 at 6:00 pm
    Reply

    such a long article for such a simple matter. Worthless article ! waste of time

  9. plusminus_ said on August 21, 2023 at 7:54 pm
    Reply

    I already do this by attaching them via the ‘Document’ option.

  10. John G. said on August 21, 2023 at 11:43 pm
    Reply

    I don’t know what’s going on here at Ghacks but it’s obvious that something is broken, comments are being mixed whatever the article, I am unable to find some of my later posts neither. :S

  11. Tom Hawack said on August 23, 2023 at 2:28 pm
    Reply

    Quoting the article,
    “As users gain popularity, the value of their tokens may increase, allowing investors to reap rewards.”

    Besides, beyond the thrill and privacy risks or not, the point is to know how you gain popularity, be it on social sites as everywhere in life. Is it by being authentic, by remaining faithful to ourselves or is it to have this particular skill which is to understand what a majority likes, just like politicians, those who’d deny to the maximum extent compatible with their ideological partnership, in order to grab as many of the voters they can?

    I see the very concept of this Friend.tech as unhealthy, propagating what is already an increasing flaw : the quest for fame. I won’t be the only one to count himself out, definitely.

    1. Tom Hawack said on August 23, 2023 at 2:34 pm
      Reply

      @John G. is right : my comment was posted on [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/23/what-is-friend-tech/] and it appears there but as well here at [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/08/how-to-follow-everyone-on-threads/]

      This has been lasting for several days. Fix it or at least provide some explanations if you don’t mind.

  12. Tom said on August 24, 2023 at 11:53 am
    Reply

    > Google Chrome is following in Safari’s footsteps by introducing a new feature that allows users to move the Chrome address bar to the bottom of the screen, enhancing user accessibility and interaction.

    Firefox did this long before Safari.

  13. Mavoy said on September 16, 2023 at 2:17 pm
    Reply

    Basically they’ll do anything except fair royalties.

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