Elf Spotted: AR Video Maker · Last updated: 12 November 2026
Elf Spotted lets parents place an animated toy elf in their room through the camera and record short videos. Everything happens on your iPhone: the app has no servers, no accounts and no internet connection, and nothing you film ever leaves your device unless you choose to save or share it.
None. Elf Spotted has no accounts, no sign-up, no in-app purchases, no advertising and no analytics or tracking SDKs. We never receive your videos, photos, voice, names, location, device identifiers or any other personal or usage information.
The camera is used to show your room with the elf in it (augmented reality with Apple's ARKit). The camera picture is processed in real time on your device to find tables and floors and, on supported iPhones, to let people and furniture pass in front of the elf. It is not stored except in the videos and photos you choose to make.
While you record a video, the microphone records the sound in your room so it can be mixed with the elf's sounds into the video. Nothing is recorded at any other time, and you can switch the microphone off in Settings → Microphone in videos.
Videos, photos and the printable elf notes you make are saved in the app's own private storage on your device (the in-app Album). You can rename or delete them there. They are deleted when you delete the app.
Save to Photos asks for permission to add to your photo library only; the app cannot see or read your existing photos. Share opens your iPhone's share sheet; nothing is sent unless you choose an app to share with.
The child's first name (for the Nice List scroll and the notes), your elves' names and your settings are stored only on your device. They are never sent anywhere.
If you set a 4-digit PIN, only a salted, one-way hash of it is stored on your device; the PIN itself is never saved.
The optional evening reminders for the December planner are local notifications scheduled on your device. They are off until you switch them on, and the permission is asked only then.
The app makes no network requests. It contains no third-party SDKs. The system may show Apple's standard "rate this app" prompt; the app receives no information from it.
Elf Spotted is made for parents to use. We collect no personal information from anyone, including children.
If we ever change what the app does with data, we will update this page and the "Last updated" date above.
Questions, bug reports or privacy requests: vitaly.basaraba@icemobile.com