Keeping Divorce Screenshots Private on Your iPhone
You are going through a divorce and taking screenshots of texts, emails and bank balances. They are piling up in Photos, next to holiday pictures your ex may still be able to see.
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What do I need to know?
- Shared things leak. A Shared Library or shared album can put screenshots in front of your ex.
- A known passcode opens everything. If your ex knows it, change it.
- Keep two copies. One private copy on the phone, one backup somewhere else.
If children are involved, see our page on keeping a custody evidence timeline. This page is about keeping files private. It is not legal advice. Ask your lawyer what to keep and how they want it.
Can my ex see my screenshots?
Check three things on your iPhone.
- Shared Library. Settings → Apps → Photos → Shared Library. If your ex is a participant, screenshots can end up there. Apple explains how to leave a Shared Library or remove someone.
- Shared albums. Look in Photos for any album you share with them. Apple's guide covers removing a participant.
- Signed-in devices. Settings → your name, then scroll to the device list. Remove anything you do not recognise. Apple lists the steps for the device list.
If your ex knows your passcode, change it in Settings → Face ID & Passcode. Apple's passcode page has the steps.
How do I keep the screenshots useful?
A screenshot is easier to use when it shows context.
- Include the contact name and the date at the top of a chat.
- Take the whole thread, not one message.
- Name or group them by topic: money, children, messages.
- Keep a short written log with dates alongside them.
Your lawyer may want originals in a specific format. Ask before you crop, mark up or delete anything.
How do I move them out of Photos?
On iOS 26 and later:
- Open Photos → Collections → Media Types → Screenshots. Apple shows this on its screenshot page.
- Select the screenshots you need to keep private.
- Tap Share and send them to a place with its own lock.
- Check they arrived, then delete them from Photos.
- Empty Recently Deleted, or they stay there for 30 days.
Do not delete anything until you have a second copy you trust.
What this doesn't protect against
A vault keeps screenshots private on your phone. It does not stop your ex from keeping their own copies of the same messages. If you forget your pattern and lose your recovery phrase, the vault cannot be opened. Keep a separate backup for your lawyer.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile vaults open with a pattern, not your phone passcode. A passcode your ex once knew does not open them. Folders keep money, messages and notes apart. Plus search reads text inside screenshots on the device.
Cryptile is free for up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos. Plus removes the limits for $19.99 a year (7-day free trial) or $39.99 once. The price is the same every day.
Cryptile Send, Files access and shared vaults are coming and are not available yet. Search inside the vault is part of Plus.