How it works
How Anchor helps protect what happened.
From the moment you tap record, Anchor starts protecting what you capture. Your evidence is encrypted on your device immediately, and encrypted vault backup begins automatically when a connection is available.
Tap once to start.
One tap opens recording with a live camera preview so you can see exactly what is being captured. No account. No login. Works right after installation, including without a network connection.
The back gesture is disabled while recording so you cannot accidentally navigate away. Your phone screen stays awake.
Offline-first
Tap once to start.
One tap opens recording with a live camera preview so you can see exactly what is being captured. No account. No login. Works right after installation, including without a network connection.
The back gesture is disabled while recording so you cannot accidentally navigate away. Your phone screen stays awake.
Evidence is encrypted immediately.
Every second of recording is encrypted on your device as it is captured. Anchor uses AES-256-GCM with a unique key generated for each incident. That key stays in your phone's secure storage, using iOS Keychain or Android Keystore, and is never transmitted.
Your recording is stored inside the app sandbox, not in your standard photo library. Anchor cannot decrypt it.
Zero-knowledge
Evidence is encrypted immediately.
Every second of recording is encrypted on your device as it is captured. Anchor uses AES-256-GCM with a unique key generated for each incident. That key stays in your phone's secure storage, using iOS Keychain or Android Keystore, and is never transmitted.
Your recording is stored inside the app sandbox, not in your standard photo library. Anchor cannot decrypt it.
Vault backup starts automatically.
While you record, encrypted chunks begin uploading to a secure vault in real time when a connection is available. This is best-effort backup. If your phone is taken, loses power, or is wiped during a recording, anything already uploaded may still be preserved.
The server receives encrypted data only and cannot decrypt it.
Best-effort backup
Vault backup starts automatically.
While you record, encrypted chunks begin uploading to a secure vault in real time when a connection is available. This is best-effort backup. If your phone is taken, loses power, or is wiped during a recording, anything already uploaded may still be preserved.
The server receives encrypted data only and cannot decrypt it.
Trusted contacts can be alerted automatically.
During recording, you can slide to send a safety alert to your trusted contacts without stopping. A push notification goes out immediately. For contacts who have opted into SMS, a single message with a secure vault link and access code follows as soon as the first segment reaches the vault - typically within seconds of starting to record.
Both the link and the access code are required to access the vault. Trusted contacts do not need to download Anchor.
Push first, SMS backup
Trusted contacts can be alerted automatically.
During recording, you can slide to send a safety alert to your trusted contacts without stopping. A push notification goes out immediately. For contacts who have opted into SMS, a single message with a secure vault link and access code follows as soon as the first segment reaches the vault - typically within seconds of starting to record.
Both the link and the access code are required to access the vault. Trusted contacts do not need to download Anchor.
Evidence stays in your control.
Default vault retention is 24 hours, after which the vault copy is deleted automatically. Your local recording stays on your device until you delete it.
You can share from the app using your phone's share sheet to a lawyer, journalist, family member, or anyone else you choose.
You decide
Evidence stays in your control.
Default vault retention is 24 hours, after which the vault copy is deleted automatically. Your local recording stays on your device until you delete it.
You can share from the app using your phone's share sheet to a lawyer, journalist, family member, or anyone else you choose.
Guidance stays close, without getting in the way.
Anchor can surface bilingual rights guidance during recording without interrupting capture. When needed, you can view English and Spanish phrases and play them aloud directly from the app.
Guidance is available, but recording, evidence protection, and trusted alerts remain the primary experience.
Available when relevant
Guidance stays close, without getting in the way.
Anchor can surface bilingual rights guidance during recording without interrupting capture. When needed, you can view English and Spanish phrases and play them aloud directly from the app.
Guidance is available, but recording, evidence protection, and trusted alerts remain the primary experience.
Built for moments like these
Serious situations where the record matters.
Anchor is not a generic recorder. It is built for situations where secure documentation, protected evidence, and fast alerts could make a real difference.
Law-enforcement encounters
One-tap recording, bilingual rights scripts, and encrypted evidence that stays protected - even if your phone is taken.
Immigration situations
Full English and Spanish support, offline-first features, and secure evidence handling for moments when time and clarity matter.
Public incidents
Document what happens in public spaces with encrypted, timestamped evidence and full control over who you share it with.
Campus safety concerns
Capture what happens without relying on the default camera roll or public posting. Evidence stays private until you choose to share.
Field reporting
Protect footage in volatile situations and alert trusted contacts the moment a recording ends - no manual steps required.
Any situation that matters
When a protected record could make a difference, Anchor is ready from the first tap - no account, no setup, no cloud required.
Worth saying plainly
What Anchor does not do.
Trust comes from being specific about limits. Here are ours.
Does not store your identity
No account, name, or email address is required for core use.
Does not collect your location by default
Location is off by default. You decide if and when to enable it for a specific action.
Does not harvest your contacts
You choose your trusted contacts. Their information is protected and not imported from your address book.
Does not contain analytics or tracking
No analytics SDKs, ad identifiers, or session replay tools.
Cannot read your recordings
Anchor receives encrypted data only and cannot decrypt it.
Is not legal advice
Rights guidance is general information, not a substitute for a lawyer.
Anchor is not emergency services. In an emergency, call 911. General information only, not legal advice.
Ready to have it before
you need it?
Free. No account required. Set up in minutes. Core features work even without a connection.
iOS and Android. General information only, not legal advice.