Intruder selfie

Intruder selfie on iPhone: see the face, not just the time

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Android phones have had wrong-PIN intruder photos for years, through apps and sometimes in the OS itself. iPhone never shipped the feature — iOS does not log who unlocked your phone and will not photograph a failed attempt. If you want an intruder selfie on iPhone, it has to come from an app.

What an intruder selfie actually gives you

The photo is the part people remember, but on its own it is weak evidence — a face with no context. What makes it useful is everything attached to it:

  • The face, from the front camera, captured silently.
  • The timestamp, so you know whether it happened while you were in a meeting or asleep.
  • The GPS location, which turns "someone opened my phone" into "someone opened my phone in my office at 14:12".
  • A 10-second video on Pro, which captures movement and surroundings a still frame misses.

Setting it up on an iPhone

Setup takes about a minute. Install CrookCatcher - WTMP Anti Theft from the App Store, grant camera and location access when prompted, and switch on the protections you want — intruder capture, the DTMP alarm, or both. Permissions matter here: if you deny camera access there is nothing to photograph with, and if location is set to "ask every time" the captures will arrive without coordinates.

Leave notifications enabled too. The capture is only half the point; the alert is what tells you to go and look.

Beyond the unlock screen

An unlock attempt is not the only moment worth catching. The app also reacts when the phone is picked up, moved or unplugged from its charger, sounding the DTMP alarm and capturing at the same time — which covers the case where your phone is sitting on a desk and someone simply walks off with it, never touching the passcode. Pro adds alerts for a SIM swap or a power-on, both typical first steps after a phone is taken.

The decoy home screen in Pro handles the nosier scenario: a snooper appears to get in, while the app quietly records them. Your real home screen opens only with your secret PIN.

The same app is published as WYTMP on Google Play, so a household running both iPhones and Android phones can keep every device in one account and review all of it from the same dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iPhone have a built-in intruder selfie feature?

No. iOS has no feature that photographs someone after a failed passcode attempt, and it keeps no log of who unlocked the phone. The capability has to come from an app, such as CrookCatcher - WTMP Anti Theft.

How does an intruder selfie app work on iPhone?

You grant the app camera and location access once during setup. From then on, when someone attempts to use the phone, the app triggers the front camera, saves the photo with the time and GPS location, and sends you an alert by push notification and email.

Will the intruder know a photo was taken?

No. There is no flash, no shutter sound and nothing shown on screen. In stealth mode the app keeps a low profile on the device as well. Nothing is foolproof — someone who deliberately goes looking through Settings can find any installed app.

Can it record video instead of a photo?

Yes, with Pro. It records a silent 10-second intruder video in addition to the still photo, which is often more useful because it captures movement and surroundings rather than one frame.

Where are the photos stored, and can I see them from another device?

Captures are saved with the event log and are visible in the app. You can also sign in to the WYTMP web dashboard to review captures from the devices you have paired to your account.

Is taking a photo of someone using my phone legal?

On a phone you own, photographing someone who is attempting to access it without permission is generally lawful, and that is what this app is designed for. Installing it on someone else's phone to monitor them is a different matter and is illegal in many places. Rules vary by country, so check your local law if you are unsure.

Catch them in the act — free

Silent intruder selfie, GPS location, and instant alerts. Set up in under a minute.