A TECH expert has highlighted a way to catch anyone who’s snooping on your texts.
In a recent TikTok video, user @Kaansanity showed how to automatically take a photo of whoever opens the iPhone’s Messages app.
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By fiddling around with your device settings, you can even set your phone up to email you the photo of the snooper caught in the act.
“If someone takes your phone and opens an app they’re not supposed to, your phone will take a picture of them and email it to you,” Kaansanity told his five million TikTok followers in a video posted March 12.
The trick involves Apple’s Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on all new iPhones and is also available on the App Store.
Introduced in 2018, the tool lets you create custom actions or phrases to automate specific tasks on your device.
To create a snooper-catching Shortcut, open the Shortcuts app and tap Create personal automation.
Hit App and then select the app you wish to protect, be that Messages, WhatsApp, Facebook or another service.
Next, tap Add Action and select Camera > Take Photo.
From there, tap the Back text highlighted in blue and change it to the front camera. Turn off the Show Camera Preview slider.
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Hit Next and turn off Ask Before Running.
You’ve now set your iPhone to take an image every time an app opens but still need to tell it to email you that photo.
Tap Add another action and select Mail > Send Email. Tap Recipients and type in your email address.
Kaansanity said: “Now whenever someone snoops on your text messages your phone will take a picture of them and email it to you.”
It’s not the first useful iPhone trick the TickTocker has shared.
Last month, the influencer showed a string of device settings that you can change to protect your mobile from thieves.
The trick is designed to ensure that pickpockets or muggers cannot turn your phone’s AirPlane Mode on in order to conceal it.
This is a tactic that crooks use to stop you from viewing your iPhone’s location using Apple’s device-tracking Find My feature.
“Let’s say your phone gets stolen,” Kaansanity said.
“The thief is gonna turn on Airplane Mode so that you can’t see the location.”
Even without your iPhone Passcode, a ne’er-do-well can activate this setting using Control Centre.
That’s the menu you can access from the lock screen that gives you instant access to useful controls.
Kaansanity explained how to block this easy workaround in his video.
In your iPhone Settings, go to Face ID and Passcode and turn off Control Centre.
This requires anyone with their hands on your mobile to enter a correct Face ID or Passcode to access the Control Centre.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
