Guides
Is It Legal to Use Intruder Alert Apps That Photograph People on iPhone?
Mehmet Ali Kısacık · Developer of Secure Folder · July 23, 2026 · 2 min read
Updated September 24, 2026
An app that takes a picture when someone enters the wrong PIN uses the front camera on the app's own PIN screen. Secure Folder: Privacy Vault does this with Break-in Alerts: from the third wrong PIN by default (adjustable from 1 to 10), the front camera takes a photo and the Intruder Log keeps it with the date, time and attempt number.
How Intruder Alert Apps Work
Intruder alert apps, such as Who Touched My Phone, CrookCatcher, and WTMP, use the front-facing camera to take a photo of anyone who enters an incorrect passcode in the app (according to the App Store listing for Who Touched My Phone: AntiSpy). Some apps also record the time, GPS location, and even audio. The goal is to identify snoopers or thieves.
How Apple's iOS Handles Unauthorized Access
Apple's built-in lock screen does not capture photos of failed unlock attempts. The iPhone simply locks after too many wrong attempts and can be set to erase data. iOS does not include an intruder photo capture feature. That is a capability provided only by third-party apps.
How Break-in Alerts work
Turn on Break-in Alerts in Secure Folder and allow camera access. The capture is silent, and the photos stay in the app on your iPhone. Secure Folder also offers a decoy vault and stealth mode, which swaps the app icon for an ordinary-looking one. For the full picture, see intruder alerts.
Hide private photos in a PIN-protected vault.
Secure Folder is free to download on the App Store, and your photos and videos stay on your iPhone.