iMessage backs up to iCloud. Apple can — and does — hand over iCloud data to law enforcement.
Side-by-side comparison of privacy and security features.
| Feature | iMessage | theSHFT |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | ✓ | ✓ |
| No phone number required | ✕ | ✓ |
| No email required | ✕ | ✓ |
| Hidden from home screen | ✕ | ✓ |
| Disguised as another app | ✕ | ✓ |
| Blocks screenshots | ✕ | ✓ |
| Duress PIN | ✕ | ✓ |
| Remote wipe | ✕ | ✓ |
| Messages actually disappear | ✕ | ✓ |
| No metadata stored | ✕ | ✓ |
| No iCloud backup exposure | ✕ | ✓ |
| Cross-platform privacy | ✕Apple only | ✓Username-based |
iMessage looks private on the surface. Underneath, your messages are more exposed than you think.
iMessage is encrypted in transit, but iCloud backups store your messages in a format Apple can access. Apple has handed over iCloud data to law enforcement thousands of times.
When you delete an iMessage, it may still exist in iCloud backups, on the recipient's device, and on Apple's servers. theSHFT destroys encryption keys after messages are read.
iMessage notifications show on lock screen, the app is always visible, and anyone who opens your phone sees your full conversation history. theSHFT is a calculator.
Download theSHFT and take control of your private conversations.
Download on the App Store