Truly love this application. Yesterday my handset was stolen, but I had the picture of the thief, so with the help of some friends I recognized the thief and today I have my phone. 🥰🥰🥰
ANTI-THEFT INTRUDER SELFIE
Catch phone thieves. Get the evidence to recover your phone.
CrookCatcher for Android automatically takes an intruder selfie when someone enters a wrong PIN, pattern or password, and emails you their photo and location.

- from 90K+ ratings
- 12M+
- downloads
- Since 2014
- protecting phones
- 1.2M
- intruder photos every day
How CrookCatcher works
Three steps from failed unlock to evidence you can use

Intruder selfie
When someone enters a wrong PIN, pattern or password, CrookCatcher automatically takes an intruder selfie and records the location.

Instant email alert
You'll receive the intruder's photo and location instantly in your email inbox — before they even realize it happened.
Share the evidence
Share the evidence with the police or people nearby to help get your phone back.
All evidence in one place
Every attempt is saved as a clear timeline, so you have the full story when you need it.
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Photos + video
Intruder selfies on every attempt, plus video with sound on Pro.
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Time + location
Each event is stamped with when and where it happened.
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Labeled events
See at a glance whether it was a failed unlock or a break-in.
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Safe off-device
Pro backs up evidence to Google Drive, even if the phone is gone.

Free essentials, Pro when you need more
Everything you need to catch an intruder is free. Pro adds stronger evidence and more ways to fight back.
Essential protection
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Intruder selfie
Front-camera photo on wrong PIN, pattern or password
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GPS location
Location recorded with every alert
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Instant email alerts
Photo and location sent straight to your inbox
Unlock more with Pro
Collect stronger evidence
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Video with sound
Capture voice and movement for stronger proof
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Break-in detection
Still alert if they guess the right unlock after failing
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Back camera
See surroundings, not just the intruder's face
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Google Drive backup
Evidence saved off-device automatically
Fight back
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Loud alarm
Startle thieves and alert people nearby
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Lock screen warning
Show a message when an alert is triggered
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Fake home screen
Trick thieves into thinking they unlocked the phone
Stay hidden
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App lock
Pattern-lock CrookCatcher so it can't be disabled
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Disguised icon
Look like a file explorer so thieves won't find it
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Hidden notifications
Alerts only appear after you unlock
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Custom email subject
Keep alert emails discreet in your inbox
It actually works
Rated 4.6★ from more than 90,000 ratings on Google Play
Excellent app for protection and security! CrookCatcher exceeded my expectations. It is discreet, efficient and does exactly what it promises. I loved the functionality of taking photos of those who try to unlock their cell phone the wrong way. Furthermore, sending location information and a photo via email is a big plus, especially in cases where the device is lost or stolen. The app is easy to configure and works perfectly.
I can't say this enough—thank you for making such an amazing app! I truly am in love with this app. CrookCatcher has recovered my cell phone 3 times now. I can't express my appreciation to you all for the effort spent over so many days, weeks, and even years making this amazing app. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my life just a little bit easier. I recommend this app to everyone. Everyone should have CrookCatcher installed on their cell phones; it is a truly amazing app. 😘
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about setup, privacy and Pro.
Visit the help centerCrookCatcher takes an intruder selfie with the front camera, records GPS location if available, and emails these to you. With Pro, it can also record video, use the back camera, play alarms, and show a fake home screen.
You can configure how many failed unlock attempts (wrong PIN, pattern or password) are required before CrookCatcher activates. Once that threshold is reached, it takes photos, records videos (Pro), and sends alerts based on your settings.
The free version includes an intruder selfie on wrong PIN, pattern or password, GPS location, and instant email alerts with the photo and location.
Pro includes video with sound, Google Drive backup, back camera photos, lock screen warning messages, alarm sounds, fake home screen, app lock, disguised icon, break-in detection, custom email subjects, hidden notifications, and removes ads.
The price of CrookCatcher Pro varies depending on your country of residence. You can see the exact price for your region directly inside the app.
All photos and videos are stored locally on your device and can be viewed in the app. They are also sent to your email automatically. Pro users can additionally upload files to Google Drive for access from any device.
Yes. CrookCatcher will take intruder selfies and store them locally, then send alerts once an internet connection is restored.
Pro features help keep the app hidden by disguising the app icon, hiding notifications until unlock, customizing email subjects, and locking the app itself with a pattern.
If someone fails PIN, pattern or password attempts but eventually guesses correctly, break-in detection still takes photos and sends alerts so you catch thieves who manage to unlock the phone.
Pro users can customize email subjects, hide notifications until the phone is unlocked, and display a custom message on the lock screen when an alert is triggered.
No. CrookCatcher only activates when a wrong PIN, pattern or password is detected, using minimal battery in standby.
CrookCatcher only captures photos and videos during failed unlock attempts. Alerts are sent from your own Gmail account — we never see your photos. Analytics help improve the app; see the privacy policy for details.
CrookCatcher will be uninstalled with a factory reset. We recommend upgrading to Pro and enabling Google Drive backup so your evidence stays safely in the cloud.
CrookCatcher requests Gmail sign-in to send emails on your behalf, avoiding transmission through third-party servers. This permission is limited to sending emails only to your specified address and does not grant access to read emails or manage contacts. You can revoke this permission anytime through your Google Account settings.
No, CrookCatcher is available for Android only.
Protect your phone before someone tries to break in.
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No registration
Set up in minutes.
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Your photos go only to you
Alerts are sent from your own Gmail account. We never see your photos. Privacy policy
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Easy on your battery
Only activates on a wrong PIN, pattern or password.
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