# CovertCam

> Discreet black screen camera for photos and videos, ideal for events. (iPhone/iPad app by Adrian Moorhouse.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covertcam/id531727127 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Adrian Moorhouse](https://appshunter.io/developer/516310290)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: $0.99 (on sale, was $1.99)
- Rating: 3.40/5 from 98 App Store ratings · 104 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-06-06
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covertcam/id531727127/reviews.md

## What is CovertCam?

The original black screen camera app. No nonsense app with no silly gimmicks.

Take a photo or video with a touch of the blacked out screen.

Made for concert and festival goers

Features include:

- Discrete preview window that can be hidden
- Live photos available
- Burst mode

All settings can be uniquely set to your preferences and saved.

CovertCam v4.0.2 features:
- Single tap anywhere on screen for photo
- Swipe right to toggle video mode, then double tap anywhere on screen for video (double tap again to stop)
- Swipe left to toggle front/rear cameras
- Swipe right to toggle photo/video mode
- Press and hold (3+ seconds) for settings/removing settings menu
- Burst mode - Takes a photo every x seconds

Coming soon:
- Integration with Apple Watch

PLEASE NOTE:
In order to take video you need to be in 'video mode' - Swipe right and you toggle between photo and video mode. An indication that you are in 'video mode' will be that the view finder will slightly enlarge. Once in 'video mode' you can double tap to start the video.

It is currently not possible to auto-disable the shutter sound of the camera when taking a photo. It is against the iOS Developer Program License Agreement.

It is against iOS Developer Program License Agreement to not have indications on the screen when taking a photo and/or video.

## Key features

- Black screen interface
- Discrete preview window
- Live photos
- Burst mode
- Customizable settings
- Single tap photo capture
- Swipe gestures for modes

## What do users think of CovertCam?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- ✨ Discreet recording capability with black screen interface
- 📸 Simple and intuitive controls once understood
- ⚡ Quick and responsive when functioning properly
- 🎥 Clean audio and video quality
- 👨‍💼 Responsive developer support for technical issues
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase price

**Cons**

- 🔴 Prominent red/green recording indicator defeats covert purpose
- 🐛 Video recording frequently fails or doesn't work
- ❌ App crashes repeatedly and becomes unstable
- 🚫 Permission access issues - doesn't appear in settings
- 📱 Incompatible with newer iPhone models and iOS versions
- 💾 Files not saved or inaccessible after recording
- 🖼️ UI elements cut off or misaligned on screen
- ⚠️ No developer updates for extended periods
- 🎬 Confusing controls and unclear instructions
- 🔧 Settings page partially hidden or non-functional

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Video recording does not work - two-finger tap unresponsive
- Double-tap triggers live photo instead of video
- App crashes on launch or during use
- Permission denied errors preventing camera/microphone access
- App doesn't appear in iOS settings for permission management
- Settings page cuts off right side content
- Preview window disappears and cannot be restored without restart
- Incompatibility with iPhone XS, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone XR
- Incompatibility with iOS 12 and newer versions
- Recorded files not saved to device
- App freezes with 'Tap To Restart' message
- UI misalignment on certain device models
- Cannot record while using other apps
- Fake home screen background displays instead of black screen

**Most requested features**

- Remove or minimize the red/green recording indicator light
- Add option to toggle recording light on/off
- Implement customizable background images instead of black screen
- Add ability to hide or disable recording indicator after 3-5 seconds
- Support for 4K video recording
- Proper landscape video orientation without manual rotation in editing
- Apple Watch integration for remote recording
- Ability to view and manage recorded files within app
- Mute shutter sound option
- Support for multitasking with music apps
- Adjustable preview window with live preview during sizing

## Recent user reviews (10 of 104)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covertcam/id531727127/reviews.md

### 2/5 — The video function does not work!

*2025-04-19, version 4.0.2*

It doesn’t matter how many times you two finger tap it. It does not record a video. Yes I’m in video mode. Taking photos with a tap of 1 finger works fine, but 2 fingers is a no go.

### 3/5 — 4K?

*2024-05-08, version 4.0.2*

Why will it not take video in 4k? Also when you rotate phone to take in landscape it does video in landscape but only in 1080 and you also need to then rotate it to make it true landscape in the edit. Can you fix this?

### 3/5 — Its been years can you consider?

*2023-05-17, version 4.0.2*

Its been years and users are asking for the same thing can you atleast consider removing the red dot in video mode? We would all appreciate it and then you’d have the perfect app for covert recording, if not can you atleast  give me a reason? App is a 3.5 just because of the red dot man, other wise it’s absolutely perfect

### 5/5 — Best app

*2023-01-20, version 4.0.2*

Best app for candid photography!

### 1/5 — Video doesn’t work

*2022-09-25, version 4.0.2*

Only lets me take photos. Video doesn’t work. 
Non of the other instructions work. 

Hasn’t worked properly since iPhone 11

### 1/5 — Not a real black screen

*2022-06-03, version 4.0.2*

It has a bright red dot  on the screen when recording video.

### 2/5 — Video

*2022-05-05, version 4.0.2*

Swipe to the right and don’t let me use video I do same what instructions but the video not turn on

### 2/5 — Not really hidden

*2022-04-09, version 4.0.2*

Big red blob in the corner sooo it’s not covert at all

### 3/5 — Live video instead of video?

*2022-04-01, version 4.0.2*

When I try to take a video by double tapping while in video mode, it instead takes a live video. Am I doing something wrong or is the software just outdated?

### 2/5 — Video doesn’t seem to work anymore

*2021-11-10, version 4.0.2*

iOS 15, iPhone 13 Pro

## Frequently asked questions about CovertCam

### What does CovertCam do?

CovertCam is a camera application designed for discreet photo and video capture. It features a black screen interface, making it less obvious that you are taking pictures or videos, which is particularly useful in public settings like concerts or festivals.

### What are the key features of CovertCam?

Key features include a discrete preview window that can be hidden, the ability to take live photos, and a burst mode for capturing multiple shots. Users can also customize and save their preferred settings, and control photo/video modes and camera switching via simple swipe gestures.

### How much does CovertCam cost?

Based on the provided information, CovertCam is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### Is CovertCam compatible with my device?

The description mentions that it is not possible to auto-disable the shutter sound due to iOS Developer Program License Agreement, and that indications on the screen are required. This suggests the app is designed for iOS devices.

### What are common use cases for CovertCam?

The primary use case is for capturing photos and videos at events like concerts and festivals where discreet recording is desired. It can also be used in any situation where a user wishes to take photos or videos without drawing attention to their device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.2 — 2019-09-10

Bug fixes

### 4.0.1 — 2019-08-07

Entire app rewritten to increase stability
Removed all in-app purchases and made burst mode a base function
Added Live Photos

### 3.1.1 — 2014-03-18

CovertCam v3.1.1 release notes:
- New Shake and Burst Mode (IAP) enabled. Shake the device to take a photo after x seconds AND/OR take a photo automatically every x seconds!
- Minor bug fixes
- v3.1.1 updates are as a direct impact from Apple contacting and requiring these updates to continue sale of the app

### 3.1.0 — 2013-11-07

CovertCam v3.1.0 release notes:

Complete redesign of the entire app. Same functionality, just better!

- Removed instructions from swipe gestures (We listened to user feedback!)
- New updated gestures - Simple intuative gestures
- New Setting page - Tap and hold for settings
- New ability to completely hide all indications from the screen
- New Shake and Burst Modes available (IAP not enabled yet)

PLEASE NOTE:
It is currently not possible to auto-disable the shutter sound of the camera when taking a photo. It is against the iOS Developer Program License Agreement.

However, you can disable the shutter sound when the phone is in silent mode.

Please rate/review the app following this major update!

### 2.0 — 2012-10-23

iOS compatibility update
Support for iPhone 5 retina 4" display
General bug fixes from previous version
Occasional write errors now fixed (thanks to user reviews)
Behind the scenes recode for app stability

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## More apps by Adrian Moorhouse

- [London Traffic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/london-traffic/id541076816)
- [Downtime](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downtime/id796101901)
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- [Snack Mixer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snack-mixer/id1642159776)

All apps by Adrian Moorhouse: https://appshunter.io/developer/516310290

## Related topics

[covert camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/covert-camera) · [ifootage](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ifootage)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*