There are several apps available for both Android and iOS platforms that can take pictures when someone tries to unlock your phone without your permission. These apps are commonly known as “intruder detection” or “anti-theft” apps, and they aim to protect your privacy and security by capturing evidence of unauthorized access to your device. In this article, we will explore some popular apps that offer this feature and discuss how they work.

- Lockwatch (Android): Lockwatch is a popular intruder detection app for Android devices. It uses the front-facing camera of your phone to take a discreet photo of anyone who tries to unlock your phone with the wrong PIN, pattern, or password. The app also captures the GPS location of the phone at the time of the intrusion and sends the photo, along with the location details, to your registered email address. Lockwatch also has additional features such as sending an alert when a new SIM card is inserted into your phone, allowing you to track the location of your stolen device.
- iGotYa (iOS): iGotYa is an intruder detection app for iOS devices that can take photos of unauthorized access attempts to your iPhone or iPad. When someone enters the wrong passcode on your device, iGotYa uses the front-facing camera to capture a photo of the person, along with the GPS location of the device. The app then sends the photo and location details to your email address. iGotYa also has other features such as capturing screenshots, recording audio, and sending alerts when a new SIM card is inserted into your device.
- Hidden Eye (Android): Hidden Eye is another popular intruder detection app for Android devices that uses the front-facing camera to capture photos of anyone who tries to unlock your phone without your permission. The app can be set to capture multiple photos in succession, increasing the chances of capturing clear images of the intruder. Hidden Eye also has other features such as capturing screenshots, recording audio, and sending email alerts with the captured images and location details.
- CatchIntruder (Android): CatchIntruder is a straightforward and lightweight intruder detection app for Android devices. It takes a photo of anyone who enters the wrong PIN, pattern, or password on your device and sends the photo, along with the location details, to your email address. CatchIntruder also has options to capture multiple photos, set a delay before capturing photos, and even set a custom warning message to be displayed on the screen when an unauthorized attempt is made.
- Prey Anti Theft (Android, iOS): Prey Anti Theft is a comprehensive security app that offers intruder detection features for both Android and iOS devices. It can capture photos of unauthorized access attempts, along with other features such as remote device tracking, remote data wiping, and remote device locking. Prey Anti Theft also allows you to trigger the camera remotely to capture photos even when an unauthorized access attempt is not made, which can be useful in case of a lost or stolen device.
These are just a few examples of the many intruder detection apps available for Android and iOS devices. It’s essential to research and choose a reputable app from a trusted source, and read user reviews to ensure that the app meets your specific needs and provides reliable functionality. When using an intruder detection app, it’s also important to comply with local laws and regulations regarding privacy and surveillance, and to use the app responsibly and ethically.
In conclusion, intruder detection apps can be a useful tool to protect your privacy and security by capturing evidence of unauthorized access to your phone. These apps use the front-facing camera of your device to capture photos of anyone who tries to unlock your phone without your permission and send the photos, along with location details, to your registered email address.