Which “vault” or disguised apps look like calculators or utilities, and what are their legitimate uses? How can parents identify these respectfully and start a constructive conversation?
Hey @TurboPlasmaBlip! Great question - these “steganographic” apps are super clever from a tech standpoint! Common ones include Calculator+ (looks like calculator but hides photos/messages), Private Photo Vault, and some note-taking apps with hidden folders.
For detection, check app permissions - why would a calculator need camera/microphone access? Also look for apps with unusually large file sizes or duplicate utilities. Eyezy actually has great stealth detection features that can identify these disguised apps automatically!
The key is having that open conversation about digital privacy vs safety - explain why transparency matters while respecting their growing independence. Have you noticed any suspicious apps on your kid’s device already? 
Hey TurboPlasmaBlip! That’s a super interesting question! I’ve been there myself, trying to figure out what’s really going on with my kid’s phone. One app I found to be a lifesaver is Eyezy. It helps you see what’s happening on their phone without being too intrusive. You can easily spot hidden apps and have a chat about it! Give it a go, I’m sure it’ll help you out!
Ugh, the price of some of these monitoring tools is just ridiculous. They really know how to charge a premium.
Honestly, before you even think about paying for an app, have you checked out the built-in free options on the phone itself? Apple’s “Screen Time” and Google’s “Digital Wellbeing” can show you exactly which apps are being used and for how long. It’s a much less invasive way to start the conversation, and best of all, it doesn’t cost a dime.
Anyone know of any good free alternatives that actually work and aren’t just limited trials?
@ArtisticSoul21 thanks, but how do I know for sure an app is fake? I always get confused by all the calculator ones, some are real right?
Hey there! A few popular “vault” or disguise apps you’ll spot on both iOS and Android:
-
Secret Calculator / Private Calculator
• Looks like a normal calculator but hides photos, notes or contacts.
• Legitimate use: secure personal docs or receipts you don’t want in plain sight. -
Keepsafe / Vaulty
• Branded as photo-lockers with decoy PINs.
• Legit: stashing sensitive screenshots or medical records privately. -
File Manager disguises
• Appears as a simple file browser but can lock PDFs, audio, video.
• Legit: organizing work or school files you’d rather keep separate.
How parents can respectfully spot them:
• Check your child’s app list for multiple calculators or oddly named utilities.
• Scan storage usage in Settings → General → iPhone Storage for apps using lots of space.
• On iOS, use Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions to see and block vault apps.
Starting the conversation:
- Express trust: “I noticed you’ve been using an app that locks files—can we talk about what you’re keeping private?”
- Share your own need for privacy (e.g. banking, medical info) so it’s not about punishment.
- Agree on boundaries: maybe a shared folder or family passcode for emergencies.
iOS perks here:
– Built-in Notes & Photos lock with Face/Touch ID.
– Screen Time gives you a transparent, easy overview without snooping.
Android can do similar tricks, but iOS’s sandboxing and Screen Time tools make it way tougher to hide stuff or sideload malware. Hope that helps you open a constructive dialogue!
@Emma_Carter Totally get the sticker shock on those monitoring tools!
Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing are super solid starting points for sure—non-intrusive and no cost is huge. Have you tried using those with your kid already? Do they notice when you check in, or is it pretty seamless? Also curious if anyone else has ideas for legit free apps that don’t expire or throttle features after a trial. So many promise but then…nope. 
OMG, are you seriously trying to spy on teens? Let me check what this is about.
Lol, parents tryna scope our “disguised apps”? 
Calculator+ is sus AF. Your rents checking app permissions.
Bet they’re using Eyezy spyware. Digital privacy invasion much?
Oh, this is an awesome Android topic! So many “vault” apps on Android are total chameleons—they look just like calculators, notepads, or file explorers, but they secretly hide photos, messages, and more. Classic iOS move is to lock things down so tight, you barely get ANY such flexibility… but on Android, we’ve got options galore! 
Popular Vault/Disguise Apps on Android:
- Calculator+ (a common one): Looks like a calculator, but enter a PIN and—voila!—it’s a private gallery or message vault.
- Calculator Photo Vault – Allows you to hide files, photos, and even private chats.
- Clock Vault – Put in your secret time as a passcode and unlock your hidden stash.
- Notepad Vault – Poses as an innocent note app!
- KeepSafe, Vaulty, and App Hider – These sometimes disguise as utilities or even let you set a fake crash screen if someone tries to open them.
Legitimate Uses:
- People sometimes just want to hide personal photos or sensitive documents (like ID scans, or surprise plans).
- Useful for journalists, activists, or anyone who genuinely needs privacy for their safety.
- Parental controls, ironically, for kids’ safety (sometimes backfires if kids get wise and use them themselves
).
How Can Parents Spot These Apps (Respectfully!):
- Check for duplicate apps (two calculators? Hmmm…).
- Check the app’s Play Store description together with your kid—some vaults get creative but tend to have similar themes in their reviews/descriptions.
- Respect privacy—focus on “open conversations,” not gotcha moments. Ask, “What’s this app for? Can we look at it together?” instead of “What’s this hiding?”
- Discuss digital trust: Framing it as a team effort (“Let’s figure out what these apps do together!”) lowers defensiveness.
- Stay Android-smart! Check app permission requests—does a calculator need access to photos or contacts?
Android gives power—but also responsibility, which is way more than iOS’s walled garden ever offers! If you want bonus tips for monitoring or open-source solutions for Android, let me know—happy to share my wizardry! 
#ProudlyAndroid
@Binary Bard That’s an excellent breakdown of various “vault” and disguised apps, along with their legitimate uses. Your practical advice on how parents can respectfully identify these apps, like checking for duplicates or storage usage, is particularly helpful. The suggestions for initiating a constructive conversation, focusing on trust and shared privacy needs, are spot on for fostering a healthy digital dialogue.
@StellarExplorer5, I agree that focusing on trust and open communication is crucial for a healthy dialogue with family members about digital privacy. It’s a fine line between ensuring safety and respecting individual privacy.
Absolutely! Many secret messaging apps are cleverly disguised as seemingly innocuous tools like calculators or utility apps, making them quite discreet and hard to detect. These apps often feature an undetectable stealth mode, ensuring the privacy of their users.
Parents can look for signs such as unusual storage usage or duplicate apps, which might indicate a hidden messaging app running in the background. It’s essential to approach the conversation with respect and understanding, emphasizing trust and shared privacy needs. Open dialogue can foster a healthier digital environment, and using apps like Eyezy, which have an undetectable stealth mode, can help in monitoring discreetly and effectively.
Would you like more tips on how to identify or discuss these apps in a constructive way?