When someone else has your phone
Real situations where private photos get seen, what the risk actually is, and what to do about it today.
Before a phone repair, trade-in or sale
For anyone sending a phone for repair, trading it in or selling itBack up before any repair, because a phone can come back erased. Before you sell, sign out and then erase everything.
Crossing a border with your phone
For anyone traveling abroad with a phone, especially into the United StatesUS border officers may look through your phone with or without suspicion. The practical preparation is to carry less and follow lawful instructions.
Handing your phone to someone without showing everything
For anyone who lends their phone or shows photos on itOnce your phone is unlocked in someone else’s hand, anything not locked on its own is open. Here is what to hide, lock or send instead.
Private photos on a shared family iPad
For families who share one iPad between adults and childrenIf a shared iPad uses your Apple Account with iCloud Photos on, your whole library is on it, hidden photos included.
Protecting a source who sends you photos
For journalists, researchers and anyone who must keep the sender of a photo anonymousA photo can reveal where and when it was taken and on which phone. Don’t rely on the app to strip that; clean files yourself.
Someone knows your passcode. Now what?
For anyone whose passcode has been seen, shared or guessedOn an iPhone, the passcode opens the Hidden album and often locked apps too. Change it, and keep private photos behind a separate code.
Where to keep confidential documents on your phone
For anyone who keeps photos of IDs, contracts, tax or medical papers on a phoneA document you photograph lands in your photo library, open to anyone with your passcode. A locked note with its own password is one alternative.
AlbumVault for iPhone and Android
A vault for the photos that are nobody else’s business
- Encrypted on this phone
- Each pattern leads to one vault
- No account needed
Coming soon to both stores 