Do you suspect someone of trying to use your iPhone when you’re not looking? Don’t trust the strangers at the cafe or the gossip gal in your friend group? One solution is to use Who Touched My Phone (WTMP), a utility that can help you unlock your inner Wagatha Christie and catch the perpetrator in the act.
This app has two security functions that can help any time you leave your iPhone unattended. If somebody tries to use the device, it will snap a photo of them for proof and/or sound an alarm to ward off would-be thieves.
Dare we say it would be a good way to lay a trap for somebody with bad intentions? If a nosy parent or partner has a habit of trying to read your messages or browse your photos, this will catch them red-handed.
It’s a smart idea, but there’s one big caveat to all this: the app only triggers after the device is unlocked. That makes it perfect for catching somebody who knows your passcode, but useless against petty theft.
So how to use it? First you’ll have to track down the appropriate app, which is easier said than done. The App Store is flooded with copycat apps, all using the WTMP name. Most of them charge hefty subscriptions for unlimited usage or extra features. We’ve tested a bunch of these apps, and while most of them work just fine, we’d recommend sticking to those with over 100 positive reviews and being mindful of any upsell messaging.
Our two favorites are linked below – we’ve included two apps in case one is taken down or unavailable in your region. Both have plentiful good reviews and worked well during testing.
The first (which we’ll call WTMP #1) is a bit slicker, with a decent free version or a full unlock for $10/year. WTMP #2 offers more features, including a secret vault and advice on cheaters and hackers, and also has a free version – but it’s $2/week to remove limits or use the alarm sounds.
Once you’ve chosen an app, load it up and you’ll be asked to set a passcode for future access to anything captured. You’ll also be asked to grant camera permissions. In both cases, hit the activation button on the main page to start the process, and then lock your device without leaving the app.
Whenever somebody unlocks the device, the app will trigger and quietly snap a photo. Of course, it won’t stop any snooping in the meantime, but when you go back to the app later and check the passcode-protected vault, you’ll have photographic evidence of the perpetrator. Gotcha.