YOUR smartphone is like an electronic mirror – it can reveal all sorts about who you are, who you’re close to and what your interests are.
But I found a secret folder recently that could expose more about me than I’d like to admit. It’s quite spooky.
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Apple introduced a dedicated Screenshots album in iOS 9, all the way back in 2015.
Somehow, I’ve only just discovered it – and with the sheer size of it, there’s no wonder my storage is always full.
It’s tucked away in Photos, and the most recent iOS 18 design makes it even more hidden.
From strings of screenshots of wedding guest dresses, confirmation pages following shopping orders and ticket bookings, to (and I hate to admit this) my own bank details – this album of images is incredibly personal.
It acts as a chunky dossier of my social media scrolling, internet browsing, social life – and all my bad habits.
All the Instagram profiles I’ve screenshotted, messages I’ve shared for my friends to weigh in on, to my own financial information that is ripe for hackers – it’s all there.
Whenever you screenshot something on your iPhone, that snap is automatically transported to its own, exclusive folder.
Where these images are usually camouflaged in your wider Photos album, they are truly laid bare in the Screenshots folder.
I had nearly 3,700 screenshotted images inside this hidden folder – that’s roughly 2GB in storage.
You might even be able to call me a digital hoarder – an emerging “dark side of technology” which can fuel anxiety and stress levels, according to a recent study.
But doing so is not only eating into my storage, it poses a huge security risk too.
Interestingly, considering how much it reveals about me, this sneaky folder may even be used to catch out a cheating partner.
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Save storage
By deleting all my screenshots – spanning nearly a decade – I managed to reclaim storage.
Unlike your main photo library, the Screenshots album gives you the option to Select All – so deleting every snap in one swoop is easy.
If you want to wipe all screenshots, tap Select in the top-right, then hit Select All in the top-left.
Once everything’s highlighted, tap the bin icon and confirm.
While you may find it hard to let go of some images – ‘just in case’ you might need them later – remember that some of these screenshots may pose a security risk.
Where is the Screenshots folder?
Apple’s Photos app automatically puts all your screenshots in a dedicated album – all you need to do is locate it. Here’s how:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down, and you will see a Media Types section. Tap it.
- Select Screenshots to see them all in one spot.
If you’re on iOS 17, make sure you’re in the Albums tab.
Then, scroll down to find the Screenshots folder.
Alternatively, Apple may keep it in your Pinned Collections.
Simply scroll along pass your Favourites and Recently Saved albums to find Screenshots.
Image credit: Apple
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Security risk
If you’re an avid online shopper or digital banking user like me, then your screenshots could pose a security risk for your accounts.
Some snaps may expose sensitive information, such as financial details or passwords.
Even information that could be used for phishing scams, such as my name, email and postal address, can be in these screenshots.
This is yet another reason to let go of those pesky screenshots you never revisit or reopen.
Now, here’s the part some people miss.
When you delete a screenshot – or any image for that matter – it’s not fully gone.
The image quietly moves to the Recently Deleted album for up to 30 days before it is automatically removed.
If you want it gone for good – and you want to free up space immediately – then go into the Recently Deleted album, select the screenshots again, and hit Delete.
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Caught out
Now, I know that you could learn a lot about me from my Screenshots folder – meaning you could probably extract a lot of information about someone else from theirs.
This hidden folder, therefore, could be an obscure but easy way to catch out a cheater.
Anyone can delete texts or WhatsApp messages – however, there might be a trace of infidelity hidden in their screenshots.
Be it from screenshots of someone’s recent Instagram photo, or perhaps confirmation of a dinner reservation you weren’t privy to.
Four red flags your partner is cheating
Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.
They start to take their phone everywhere with them
In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.
Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”
“You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”
They start telling you less about their day
When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.
“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”
“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.
Their libido changes
Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.
Aaron says: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”
They become negative towards you
Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.
“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating,” warns Aaron.
