Best alternative to Canopy on iPhone
Canopy alternative with screenshot-based monitoring and nudity detection across all apps.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Canopy app for iPhones, there’s actually a very small list of alternative apps out there to choose from. Canopy has a very unique approach to blocking adult (and suggestive) content that analyzes images and intercepts them at the network level as they are loaded; from the perspective of an iPhone user, the image shows up as blank if Canopy blocks it. However, this isn’t the only way to detect content with nudity on iPhones, because the more comprehensive approach is to scan the entire screen of the iPhone using screenshot monitoring.
We generally recommend that both parents and accountability partners use screenshot monitoring, because you can see activity in the same way that someone using that iPhone would. Plus, with apps like LivingRoom for Families , screenshot monitoring usually includes automatic nudity and sensitive content detection that works if this content is viewed anywhere on the iPhone’s screen.
For a more in-depth explanation about how Canopy works and some of our tips and tricks to get started, check out our dedicated review for Canopy on iOS .
Monitor all activity on an iPhone with LivingRoom for Families
The LivingRoom for Families app uses screenshot monitoring on iPhones, which gives accountability partners and parents much more visibility into how the iPhone is actually being used. Instead of basic activity information, like when an app is downloaded or how long it’s being used, it’s very clear how apps are being used. For example, parents can even review the contents of messages that have been sent to their child.
Because of how the Apple ecosystem works, Canopy is limited on iPhones when it comes to scanning images or messages, especially text messages or private messages on social media. LivingRoom is much more comprehensive on social media, and doesn’t require an elaborate setup on the child’s iPhone. Accountability partners helping adults can be selective about which apps are monitored , too.
Compared to Canopy, where automatic detection is limited to photos that have been downloaded to the Photos or Files app, the LivingRoom app scans the entire screen instead. This catches content that might be sent to the iPhone, browsed from an app, or viewed on a website. If notifications are set up, parents or accountability partners can also see the surrounding context if nudity is detected:
Nudity detection also takes effect immediately if this kind of content is visible anywhere on the iPhone’s screen; when nudity is detected, the internet is disabled on the iPhone until re-enabled, and the parent (or an accountability partner) receives a notification. Interrupting the internet discourages continued attempts to access inappropriate content, especially if it wasn’t intentional.
LivingRoom is our recommended approach to monitor all kinds of apps, including Snapchat , Instagram , and text messages .