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If you’re looking for a calculator app, there are plenty of them available with loads of features. But apps aren’t always what they seem to be.
For example, Private Photo Calculator % isn’t your typical calculator app. While it does work as a calculator, its true value is that it is also hides secret photos.
By entering a special passcode in the calculator of Private Calculator %, you can unlock a hidden section of the app where you can take and store photos. These photos stay on the phone within the app and can’t be accessed by iCloud, the iPhone Photos app or by anyone who doesn’t enter the correct passcode.
Last week Pamela Casey, a district attorney in Blount County, Alabama posted a video on Facebook warning parents about Private Photo Calculator %. She had received a call from a parent alerting her to this app and how children were using it to hide photos on their phones.
DA Casey’s video shows how the app is used so you can recognize whether your child is using this app for more than a calculator:
She posted the video on the Blount County District Attorney Facebook page where it went viral, getting over 2.8 million views in only 5 days. The video generated a discussion of the pros and cons of spying on your kids’ phones.
Checking Phones for Hidden Photos
I’m not trying to advise you whether you should spy on your kids, spouse or other significant other (though you can feel free to discuss that topic in the Comments section below). You may have a very good reason to be checking your loved one’s phone for suspicious behavior. Not judging here.
If you are checking a phone, you should be aware that there are apps such as Private Photo Calculator % that pretend to be something they’re not. If you do see the icon for Private Photo Calculator % on a phone, you can feel fairly confident that the owner of the phone has something to hide.
How You Can Tell If an App Is Something Other Than What It Pretends to Be
You’re going to have to do some investigative work to detect which apps contain hidden items. If you’re checking a phone and see an app icon you don’t recognize, search for it in the app store. Read the description to find out what the app is really about.
See if there are any in-app purchases that provide added functions to the app. An app that may be used innocently for free may unlock furtive features for a fee.
=>Don’t Miss: Shhh…My Favorite Secret App!
Apps may be disguised as calculators, games, to-do lists, social media, or other types of apps. If you’re unfamiliar with an app, spend a few seconds checking it out. If the app requires you enter a separate passcode, be suspicious. Don’t assume that unfamiliar apps are what they pretend to be.
=> Check out: Teenology News How To Find Hidden Apps and Social Media Your Teen Doesn’t Want You Seeing
Private Photo Calculator %
If you want to learn more about the app Private Photo Calculator %, head to the iTunes App Store:
The app is free, with an in-app purchase available. $1.99 gets you unlimited storage for photos (up to the space available on your phone).
=> Also see:
- Tech App 5 Apps to Lock and Hide Files on iPhone
- Tech App Apps to Hide or Lock Files on Android
Your Thoughts
What do you think of hidden apps? Have you ever used hidden apps? Did you ever look for hidden apps on someone’s phone? Did you discover any? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Hiding Hands image courtesy of Unsplash via Pixabay and Creative Commons
Rahul Zajari says
Now days it’s necessary that have a app that keeps our data hidden in order to nobody can see it without our permission . Because privacy matter here. So in this age of smartphone we require app that keep our data hidden or password protected. So thanks Carolyn for sharing private photo calculator%.
Cheers,
Rahul
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Rahul, Great point. You may have a very valid reason for wanting to hide photos or other information on your phone. Apps that hide secrets can be very effective tools for that.
Rahul Zajari says
Yes Carolyn,
Now days it’s necessity that have app like that to keep our data private.
Because in many Cases we saved our web login details in our mobile if somebody takes our mobile for while he/she will be access our data instantly. So we must require app.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
You’re right, Rahul, apps that require a separate passcode can provide an extra layer of protection. I wrote about Mustbin, an app that requires a passcode and keeps your photos and information secure, off of the Cloud.
But Mustbin doesn’t have an icon that pretends to be a different sort of app. Perhaps by having a deceptive icon, an app could offer even more protection because people wouldn’t know to look there.
Mohit farswan says
Hi Carolyn ma’am,
It is a scam. If somebody is purchasing the app after going through with the description of the app. It might not work reading the description because many developers put a fake description. This is a responsibility of apple to check all the apps before approving them.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Mohit, Well, the app really does work as a calculator and as an effective tool to hide photos within the app. So I wouldn’t call it a scam. But people who are checking phones to find hidden photos, such as a parent checking their kids’ phones, might take one look at the Calculator % icon and ignore it. Parents and others who want to check out phones should know that app icons may seem innocent, but icons can’t be trusted to tell the whole story.
Anyone checking a phone should investigate each app to find out what it really does.
Leslie Denning says
Hi Carolyn. To be honest, I don’t use a lot of apps on my phone. I have Twitter, Instagram, a weather app, a calculator, and a few others, but I don’t have any secret apps. I pretty much am an open book with not a lot to hide.
I feel very lucky that I raised my daughter before the cell phone was invented. I have a lot of concerns about kids and electronic devices. I’ve known several who have run away to be with someone they met on the internet. I think also that they give kids a kind of freedom they’ve never had before – to bully, to post racy pictures of themselves, and to get into all kinds of mischief.
I used to get furious when my mom would snoop around in my room when I was at school. I was a wild child, and looking back, I know she was just trying to protect me. If I was a mom now, you can bet I’d be checking my child’s cell phone, social media, and email. The world’s a much more dangerous place than when I was growing up, and most teenagers haven’t developed good judgment. They think nothing bad could happen to them and that they’ll live forever.
Thanks for an interesting post, which I’ll share with my FB friends.
All the best,
Leslie
tanya says
I wasn’t aware there was anything like this out there my son isn’t at the age where he owns a phone yet but when he is older I wouldn’t feel bad checking his phone is there was a reason for it. I think I would give him privacy unless I felt that I needed to snoop a bit.
Rahul @blogger,blogspot says
Hey Tanya,
There are lots of thing are still unknown for us untill we try to find them or use them by the way use this awesome app to secure some privacy for your phone data.
Cheers,
Rahul
Briana says
Thank you so much for your valuable post. Hiding secrets has become a very essential thing nowadays. I was unaware of these apps. It’s really helpful. I’ll of course share it to my friends.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Briana, Thanks for sharing this post. Yes, if you want to keep secrets, then you can find apps that will do that for you. Most people looking at these icons won’t realize the apps hold your secrets.
Mike Maynard says
Hi Carolyn,
Hidden apps could be useful, where you need to store something confidential. I used to have hidden stuff on my computer, I don’t bother anymore. Spying on kids seems unsavoury, but I suppose parents have to take an interest. There are so many cons on the interest and some photos could be part of an internet bullying campaign. I should use my phone more. I just find using a computer so much easier! I was driving yesterday, using a sat nav, dash cam and had my phone next to me too. So much technology! The dash cam did record a very close call when an oncoming car pulled out towards me. So glad my reactions are still fast!
Briana says
I was actually on the way to find out whether there is any app that hides our secret photos. This was really helpful to me. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Briana, I’m glad this was helpful to you. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.
Rekhilesh Adiyeri says
Looks like your secret app is worth trying. 🙂 as like Rahul told there is always something we must need to hide from others. So it will be a better choice.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Rekhilesh, Yes, if you want to hide something on your phone, you can use this app. Someone would have to know about this app to realize that you have something to hide.
Rekhilesh Adiyeri says
Right now nothing to hide, but may be worth trying. Am i right?