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The ability to hide your porn now requires an app on BlackBerry 10
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106 Comments

The ability to hide your porn now requires an app on BlackBerry 10

By Bla1ze on 8 Feb 2013 07:54 pm
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*UPDATE* - I found another way as pointed out to me by Dave at BBThemes. If you zip files using the file manager, you can preview them from within the zip but they won't get indexed in the pictures app. Thanks, Dave!

Look, like it or not people keep porn on their smartphones. You've all likely heard the stories of phones being returned with porn on them along with all the documented accounts of celebs having their nudies swiped off their smartphones. There's no point in trying to gloss over the subject, it's a fact of life and a really hot business for some folks.

Previously on BlackBerry OS smartphones customers had the option to hide and unhide files on their device. In fact, we wrote up a really good tutorial on the matter that showed exactly how it worked. It was a great feature, easy to use and helped keep your or your significant others naughty bits from accidentally showing up for those who could possibly be poking around your phone.

Now that BlackBerry 10 has arrived and I'm using my BlackBerry Z10 daily, I was pretty shocked to find that BlackBerry had removed this (what I considered to be a) pretty fracking cool feature entirely. Sure, you can check the properties of a file using BlackBerry 10 but you no longer can adjust the permissions which in turn would allow you to hide / unhide files. Luckily, there is an app available to download that replaces this function in some ways.

The app is called Hide My Pictures and as the name implies, it allows you to hide your selected photos from others so that they cannot be viewed. It's a password protected app and does a great job, so if you're in need of such and app to replace the function that was once built-in and available for free, you'll have to spend $1.99 on it in BlackBerry World. Now, although I found a replacement for this, I have to wonder. Who the heck removed this from the OS? Put it back.

Purchase Hide My Pictures from BlackBerry World

Topics: BlackBerry 10 BlackBerry Z10 News & Rumors

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Bla1ze Bla1ze 2974 (articles) 6560 (forum posts)
106 comments

Michelle Haag

I'm glad you found a solution. ;)

edyb

You can also rename the file extension so it doesn't show previews in the media apps. For example, on Playbook when you open "Videos" it scans all your folders and displays thumnbails. By altering to an unrecognized file extension, you can prevent it from showing unwanted videos.

Not really "hiding" but good enough. Just obfuscate the names, like "privatevideo.mp4" renamed to "hfkdfdd.dhs" and nothing on the device will show it until you rename the extension.

Or simply view "inappropriate" videos from online sites rather than save local copies, but then make sure you clean up your browser cache history!!!

Toodeurep

He just knew this article was going to get a response from you, lol!

Unfortunately, his best "hide your porn" app is 2000 miles (3200km).

PapiPabs

Uh-oh...busted. ABORT! ABORT!!!!!

ovi08

Nothing says welcome to CB like reading an article about hiding porn. Your welcome new Z10 owners.

jimpilot

Glad you found this out in time. Who knows what kind of problems this could have caused me. :-)

PlaybookFanatic

Sorta makes me angry that they removed this key feature. There are many files and folders that I would like to hide. Sounds so damn suspect, but I love it. LoL

sklotz2000

What about File Shield? There is a version for the PlayBook that I use for hiding/securing all types of files. Works GREAT!!

BBVegasGirl80

Oh. No. CrackBerry. You. Didn't! Thanks for the tip. ;-)

Does it work for video files too?

Shanerredflag

Hey...this doesn't work...error message keeps coming up "file to large" ;)~

Kevin Michaluk

Duuuuuuudddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... 

Lol 

jcbrunson

Thats what she said...

green_ember

I want that editied picture for my background lmao

Bla1ze

http://i.imgur.com/kpyAhH9.jpg

BionicKris

Those pics are so funny.

Clinto

That is so awesome! Thanks Bla1ze!!!

shabbs

Bla1ze: " I was pretty shocked to find that BlackBerry had removed this (what I considered to be a) pretty fracking cool feature entirely."

This seems to be happening a lot as we spend more time with the phone... discovering things that have been "removed" that we were so used to having on previous BBs.

Sigh...

arhcangel

Thing is the feature wasn't removed so much as not implemented in the new OS. Given the complete rewrite from the microkernel up it shouldn't be surprising things we took for granted in BB OS 7 didn't make the BB 10 1.0 cut. It also doesn't mean those features aren't on a roadmap to be implemented in 1.x BlackBerry had to choose what parts of the elephant to eat first.

shabbs

Fair enough, it's a big elephant. But this seems like something that would have been low hanging fruit to implement. Hopefully we'll see all these gaps closed in a nice big Service Pack.

arhcangel

I like how you used porn off of Andy Rubin's phone for the article.

iwasspartacus

Cookie porn. Chuckle. There really is something for everyone on the Internet.

SuperionMaximus

There is more and more I miss about BB OS 7 everyday. BB 10 is as smart as an iPhone but no where near as smart as a BlackBerry. The teams at BlackBerry better keep burning the midnight oil and no vacations because there is so much that we loyal BlackBerry users loved about BBOS that is gone in BB 10.

They didn't take the best of BlackBerry, they just took the best of the competition and called it a BlackBerry. But Link is trash. Bedside mode is now almost useless. BIS is history. Notifications settings pale in comparison to what they were.

I know it's only version 1.0, but I hope BlackBerry remembers their true DNA and fills in the gaps and makes BlackBerry 10 a true successor to BBOS. Right now, I love that it doesn't lag, but I miss so much

KarlosSpicyWienr

Totally agree, I think they will need some time get back to where they left off but I also think they will surpass it with this foundation.

SuperionMaximus

I hope so. Because other then the great keyboard that is new, all the great conveniences that BlackBerry had seem to be missing in BB10.

The thing that worries me though is that the post QNX RIM doesn't keep to any kind of development schedule and tended to keep users waiting eternally for even the simplest features. I hope the new team and new BlackBerry has a development road map and makes such great progress on it that they can bump plans up instead of pushing them back.

We already have files and folders in BB 10, I don't want to be on my 3rd full touch screen phone running BB12 before we have the ability to hide them.

Yeah I know, the iPhone took two years to add MMS and 3 before you could have your own wallpaper in iOS, and hasn't sped up any since yet still sells like crazy. But We're not iPhone people. We're BlackBerry people, and we are used to our phones having more features and conveniences out of the box then any other phone out there. iPhone users are used to NEEDING an app for this or that iOS shortcoming. We're used to apps being an optional distraction but the phone has that built in and there's about 4 different ways to do it, so it's not really needed.

Plus, I want the little BlackBerry Arrow back. I loved that little send/receive arrow in the top right hand corner. Can we please have it back in a future update?

tinker2000

if you are to attract users from other OS's you cant make it too much like a blackberry. I love this phone and did not buy it because it was a blackberry. it does everything that my Android phone did (mostly) and I don't care what the old BB OS's did, they were rubbish for my uses.

We should really consider what it does have and, from what I have read, it has lots more than is lost.....Until this phone, no user with more than 3 brain cells would have crossed platforms to BB.

Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes

While on this subject....side loaded the "black book" app from android. Not working too well. took it off. RIP not having two phones to hide it from her

Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes

no hide my videos app

edyb

Rename the file extensions until you are ready to view them. For example make the ".mp4" into ".mp4x" or something, and it shouldn't display a preview or show the file at all in your videos thumbnails. At least that is how it works on the Playbook.

Brianflys

Oh, a girl cookie. Best dessert ever.

Guess this app developer won't need to apply for the sales guarantee from BB. He will sell bunches of this app.

misskalunji

you can also zip them....

Zetti

That Gingerbread man is a FREAK!!!!

edyb

Based on what bits and pieces are being tingled, I have a feeling it is a Gingrbread Lady in that photo!!! LOL !!!

travaz

Thats what I love about CB. You get all the information. I mean I would never need to umm know this but you know sometimes well umm ok thanks for the info. :)

Andrew4life

LOL!!! I can't stop laughing from that picture!!!!!

tippro

Another option is to rename the files/folders that you want to hide with a dot in front (e.g., "MyNaughtyPics" becomes ".MyNaughtyPics"). The folder/file will instantly disappear from File Manager, Pictures App, etc. To see the files again you'll need to use a file manager that shows hidden files (Ghost Commander is one that's available in BB World and seems to work well).

webmeister

Tasteless. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that this is not appropriate for this site. Call me a prude, but I expected better from you guys.

NinjaB

lol.. lighten up, so far I haven't seen any others offended.. surprised maybe but not offended...

it was a creative way to tell us the Hide feature is gone.. that's the real takeaway (literally, haha)...

BruvvaPete2

Yeah... Um... Pritchard. I'm gonna need to go ahead and, ahh... call you a prude. *edit* I forgot to mention I'm gonna need that TPS report.

megajo123

"Don't be a cloud on a sunny day!" "Yea webmeister, chill!"

"Respect Mr.Blaze man!"

Seijuro

prude
get over it, it's a picture.. nobody cares

"tasteless" lol...

galleon

No your certainly are not alone, but in this day and age....it doesn't help to comment because peoples public morals aren't what they used to be years ago, just focus on keeping your own where they should be and leave it at that. I agree its not professional either from the #1 Blackberry information site in the world. Funny to some, disgusting to others.

BruvvaPete2

Maybe we should talk about guns and violence instead. How's that missionary style working for ya?

TeaBoy

why would anyone keep porn on their phone??

Andrew4life

Why wouldn't they?

According to this, 3% even do it at work!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/porn-at-work-video-survey_n_896...

TeaBoy

wow, very interesting. surprise its allow at work places.

panterarck

Because sometimes when you're at youporn or pornhub you find a video that's a keeper and you download it...for those emergencies.

PapiPabs

No shortage of TMI in these comments. LOL

TeaBoy

any other recommendations?

BBVegasGirl80

fantasti.cc
redtube.com
bangyoulater.com

BruvvaPete2

lmao @bangyoulater. What an awesome name for a web site. I knew there's a reason I like you. :p

rgshah3

Port Audio Manager (hide it pro) its a free android app. Does the trick

BruvvaPete2

this option being removed is completely stupid... And I'm not even talking about porn. I'm just going to call this an oversight. There's no logical reason to disable the ability to hide files on such a secure platform.

jvictor77

Two things: Either they still have to add a lot of functionality in....or.....that's the way they've got rid of a lot of the bloat and made the new OS light, airy and fluffy, with no lag! ;)

BruvvaPete2

I agree with the first part of your statement. At least I'm hoping that's what the issue is. It has to be an oversight; otherwise it doesn't make sense to me.

ORIGINQuest

It should also be noted that if you have porn saved on your device and watch it, make sure to adjust your BBM setting and turn off "show what I'm listening to".
I have a contact on my BBM who every night around the same time his status changes to something I'm sure he doesn't want others to know about...or maybe he does. Either way, I don't have the heart to tell him as we're not that close. :s

KarlosSpicyWienr

You sir deserve a

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TheGreatGouk

Don't name ur zipfile "Porn" lol

rdef

Very poor taste...

Bla1ze

Oh lighten up. Seriously, have you seen some of the things we've posted in the past?

KarlosSpicyWienr

this also deserves a

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webmeister

Yes, seriously I have seen some of the stuff that's been posted in the past here...I've been here for 4.5 years. Duh. I say I'm offended, and the knee-jerk reaction is "lighten up" or "chill" as if my opinion and those of others like me are somehow wrong and easily discarded. You're running a site frequented by many ethnicities, sensibilities, religious background and moral codes and this post's accompanying picture will offend many of them. I express this as my own opinion, without attempting to speak for those other groups but I'm pretty sure I've assumed right. Do you want this site to prosper? If yes, both you and this site better grow up. While you're at it, visit this thread and do your site mod thing and either lock it or deal with it. http://forums.crackberry.com/general-discussion-f2/offensive-post-site-a...

-Eric

Seijuro

awww QQ
get over it, prude

BruvvaPete2

CNBC reports that the porn industry generates up to $14 Billion... Yes... $14 Billion dollars per year. Let's just pretend it doesn't exist, like the elephant in the room.
.
People in N. America love talking about guns and violence but sex (porn) seems to be a taboo topic of conversation best left to little groups of freaks. Right?
$14 Billion. Get over it. Prude.

Wittykitty007

There are so many other topics that should be covered in these posting regarding the new Blackberry product and all I find here is mostly gibberish. What I really want to know is will the Z10 sync with outlook as easily as my Torch?

BruvvaPete2

Think oitside the box and live a little

Babatunde Enitan

Joining the forum has really been a good thing as it has brighten up my skills and knowledge of the new breed of BlackBerry and other phone giants.

yauchunh

i thought this is what bb balance was for ;)

romulusiulian

That's a good joke... You made me laugth!

BBVegasGirl80

You know, CB is a mixed bag. You've got crazy, zany, fun things like this and tech articles that are more serious. I think CB has done well to do something different with their site. At the end of the day they still focus on what's important in the world of BB. This "gingerbread porn" was just a lighthearted joke and we all needed a good laugh. :-)

Michelle Haag

I like you BBVegasGirl80, we think quite alike sometimes. :)

CB offers something for everyone folks, we always have and always will! 

BBVegasGirl80

Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate that very much. Nice to see you provide the female point of view on the CB staff. :-)

Whitecaps

Blaze, you really need a gf

Michelle Haag

Hi, I'm Bla1ze's fiance. I don't think he needs a girlfriend too. :P

SuperionMaximus

Well, not unless you guys want a show on TLC lol

G-bone

Didja notice the posts from " Michelle Haag " ?
'Nuff said.

#BB10Believe

costas1966

Honestly, after months and months of complaints, arguments, and insults in the forums....this is the best article in a very long time!!!!!!! Thanks, guys....I was in tears!!!!!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!!!

G-bone

Gingerbread makes good eatin'!!

#BB10Believe

megajo123

See, this is what happens when you put a bunch of guys in an appartment together for a month..lol, thanks for the post, but seriously people just get a data plan with WIND, you have access to all that stuff 24/7, one last thing.. Why is the Android OS getting all the action :/

BruvvaPete2

WIND coverage in BC sucks the big one.

Apollo_IV

CRYING @ THAT PICTURE

LMFAOOOOOOO

travaz

If you think this was inappropriate just go to App world or BB world and see how many of the 70,000 apps may fit into this catagory . There are lots of "meat" up apps etc. I seem to remember a review a few years ago from Kevin about the best porn apps lol. Hands down (no pun?) best article on CB in awhile

DAnklaud

love the vid Blaze ..LOL

bimmerdriver

Why does this discussion have to be only about porn? It's completely reasonable that somone may not want all photos on their phone to be visible all the time (e.g., photos of self or SO, photos of personal information such as a passport or other document). It's strange that OS10 no longer has a mechanism to selectively hide anything including apps, accounts, folders, files, photos, etc.

JustAnotherBeerbot

has anyone tried just putting the files into a folder that starts with a "."? eg /accounst/1000/shared/photos/.privatefolder/

volvospeed23

that case on that BlackBerry makes it uglier than the phone already is lol

cappo40

or since the browser is fast as hell just look at porn on it, and you don't need to save it :P

Devil

I really do have video porn, and when I first opened up the "Videos" app, my jaw dropped because it showed ALL the hidden guys FIRST.

daelgren1

Shameless plug -- I have an app that can be re purposed for this if you need to light-secure image files.

https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/17841456/?lang=en&count...

Meant to be used as a viewer for CBZ comic book files, the CBZ format is simply a ZIP that has had it's extension changed to CBZ. The viewer will display the contents of the file but the rest of the system will ignore the file format altogether.

Basically take a folder of images, zip it ,rename the zip to cbz and transfer the file to the device. From that point the only application that will view the file is Excelsior.

All the best and enjoy the show.

Rootbrian

Hhaahaahhhahahahahahahahaahhaaa!!! Luckily I don't keep porno or even watch it. I'll never get busted.

Cheffdoggy

Dave forgot to tell you delete the folder after you zip it. I just try it and it worked.