1. Lockwatch
Lockwatch is a fan-favorite app in this category. It’s a straightforward solution that’s easy to use: just enable it and you’ll get an email when someone tries to break into your phone.
To start using Lockwatch, open the app and enable the Send alert email slider. The app will prompt you to set it as a device administrator, as mentioned above. Make sure you have a current email address in the Emails should be sent to field.
After that, hit Number of unlock attempts and choose between one, two, or three incorrect attempts required before the email sends. It’s not a bad idea to set this to twoso you don’t get false positive emails when you mistype your own password. However, Lockwatch will not send an email if you enter the correct password within 10 seconds of the error.
When Lockwatch catches someone, the email message will include the photo it took, the GPS location of your phone, and a map of the area. You can hopefully use this to track down your device, or just know who’s trying to peek!
Lockwatch keeps its Premium features on a different tab. Paying the one-time $4 fee for Premium lets you get alerts if the SIM card changes or someone powers off your phone without unlocking it. You’ll also get three photos instead of one, plus a sound clip, in the email.
Download: Lockwatch (Free, premium version available)
2. Third Eye
Third Eye performs a similar function to Lockwatch, but it delivers the pictures of the intruder on your phone instead of via email. After installing it, you’ll need to give it device administrator permissions so it can function properly.
From there, you’ll find a straightforward main menu. Make sure Intruder detection is enabled and the app will take a picture when someone tries to break in. You can set the Number of unlock attempts from one to five. Unlike Lockwatch, Third Eye will take a picture even if you enter the correct passcode within a few seconds.
This app also provides a bit of extra information. The Last Unlock Time lets you know when your phone was last used, and the Unlock log provides a timeline of when your phone unlocked. Swipe to the Photo Log tab to see pictures of people who attempted to break in.
Expand the three-dot Menu button and choose Settings to tweak a few options. You can change where it stores the photos and block them from appearing in your Gallery. The settings also let you toggle Third Eye’s notifications. By default, it tells you when your phone was last unlocked every time you open it, which can become annoying.
While Lockwatch has no ads, Third Eye is loaded with them. You’ll have to put up with full-screen ads often, which detracts from the experience.
If you don’t like getting intruder pictures via email and would rather have them on your device, Third Eye is a decent option. It’s suitable for people who want to catch friends snooping, but having pictures on your phone won’t help you catch a thief who takes your phone. Lockwatch also provides you with more information.
Download: Third Eye (Free)
3. CrookCatcher
Another solid choice, CrookCatcher uses an attractive dark theme with green accents. The guided setup walks you through setting the app as a device administrator and granting the necessary permissions.
Once you’re through that, you’ll find a simple three-tab interface. The Home tab lets you deactivate the service and read a bit more about it. On the right, you’ll see the Photos tab that collects pictures of intruders. Each picture comes with a map with your device’s location; tap the location symbol to see exact coordinates and an estimated address.
Use the Settings tab on the left to adjust options. You can set the Attempts limitanywhere from one to five. Again, unlike Lockwatch, CrookCatcher will activate even if you enter the right passcode a few seconds after a mistake. Below this, you can toggle email and device notifications, change options for the photo taking and location, and show an alert message when CrookCatcher takes a picture.
That last feature, and several more options, requires CrookCatcher Premium. It’s a one-time $3 charge that can detect SIM changes, change the subject of the alert email, and more. It also removes the ads in the app, which are pretty annoying. Like Third Eye, full-screen ads are common when working in this app.
Overall, CrookCatcher is a decent free option that’s much better if you upgrade. The option to have both email and device alerts is nice, and it provides more info than Third Eye.
Download: CrookCatcher (Free, premium version available)
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