There's no worse feeling than suspecting that your partner is cheating, but spotting some of these otherwise common apps hiding in plain sight on their phone might make the investigative work a little bit easier.
There have been many ways that people have reportedly discovered their partner's infidelity, and the days of hiring a private investigator are long gone. Arguably it's never been easier to keep things hidden with the advent of smartphones, but many people have taken things into their own hands.
Some have managed to figure things out by noticing 'strange patterns' in fitness apps, experts have outlined the signs of 'micro-cheating' that some are guilty of doing, and others have even employed the use of AI in order to distinguish the 'typical cheater's face', letting them save themselves from heartache before it's even happened.
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As reported by the Daily Mail however, there are a handful of apps that you can download on your phone in order to conceal infidelity, so being aware of them could help you spot your partner's otherwise nefarious actions earlier.
Calculator apps
Years ago if you found out your partner had two phones that would instantly set the alarm bells off, but the modern-day equivalent is a second calculator - because who on earth would suspect that?
While they likely come in many forms, you'll specifically want to keep an eye out for Calculator# on iPhones and Calculator Pro+ on Android, as these are the digital fronts that can hide a wide variety of things like photos, contacts, and videos.
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They also come equipped with a 'panic button' that lets users instantly kill the app, so you might not get the chance to spot your partner using it in the moment if they're quick enough.
Stock market apps
The same can be true with stock market apps too, as apps like 'Vaulty' are capable of disguising themselves as otherwise innocuous things on a phone that you would even look twice at.
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The more complicated thing about apps like this is that they're typically password protected, giving its users as extra layer of safety, and they also have features that take a selfie whenever the password is incorrectly guessed - exposing your snooping even if the app owner is the one in the wrong.
Private messaging apps
Almost everyone will have a private messaging app of some sorts on their phone, from the ever-popular WhatsApp to alternatives like Signal, Telegram, and even Snapchat - which some warn is a particular red flag for older individuals.
While you shouldn't immediately suspect your partner if they have these on their device, they can be used to hide things that they'd rather you not see through secret chats and password-protected areas.
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WhatsApp has a locked chats function that is hidden away and prevents any notifications from appearing, whereas Signal allows messages to 'self destruct', deleting themselves once seen by both users in order to prevent a breadcrumb trail from forming.
Gaming apps
Another unlikely area to look too is any gaming apps - particularly those that hinge on social interaction. Not only can they be used to hide conversations and connections that someone would rather not be public, but experts advise that they're often places where people meet others while in a relationship.
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It can range from the most popular mobile multiplayer games out there to simple apps like Words With Friends, so it's definitely something to keep your eyes peeled for while playing sleuth.
CoverMe
The last thing to keep an eye out for is 'CoverMe', which provides its users with a second phone number - almost like a digital burner phone for the modern age.
It's not specifically an app for cheaters but it's a tool commonly used by them, and it has all of the hallmarks you'd expect in order to keep conversations and activity hidden from anyone trying to look in from the outside.
One particular action to stay aware of is a shaking action from your partner, as CoverMe allows users to lock their phone through shaking which could be all you need to start your investigation.