Source-backed analysis6
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
6 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Yope Review
Friends-only photos on the lock screen, with no feed and no ads
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Yope suits close friends and younger users who want to share everyday photos without performing for an audience. The trade-offs are a narrow feature set, an English-only interface and the need for friends to join too.
Best for: Close friends or family who want to see each other's photos on the lock screen
Skip it if: Anyone who needs a wide audience or a public profile
Pros
- Private by default, with no algorithmic feed or public content (per TechCrunch)
- High store ratings: 4.7/5 on the US App Store and 4.6/5 on Google Play (70,000+ ratings)
- Free to use, and the company says it shows no ads
Cons
- App Store lists English only; reviewers complain about pushy friend invites and frequent notifications
- An advertising ID is shared with ad partners, and the App Store label lists usage data used for tracking
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Delivered content is deleted from servers after one month, and a full data export is available
Cons
- Terms rule out refunds for subscriptions, and what Premium includes is not clearly stated
Best for
- People who dislike public networks, algorithmic feeds and like counts
Skip it if
- People who need an interface in a language other than English
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
Yope is a friends-only photo-sharing app from Salo App, Inc. According to its press page, the company was founded in 2021, is incorporated in Delaware (US) and has its core team in London and Lisbon. The app is free on iOS and Android, and the company claims more than 14 million users in 182 countries.
Photos from friends appear on the lock screen and widgets. The App Store description and release notes add photo chats, voice messages, sharing streaks, memory albums and a Wrapped 2025 year-in-review. According to TechCrunch (22 July 2026), accounts are private by default, with no algorithmic feed or public content; people share in small groups of friends and family. The company also plans AI-powered mini-games and meetup-planning tools, and says it does not use AI to create content.
Pricing and business model
The basics are free. Per TechCrunch, Yope runs no advertising and is focusing on a paid subscription for power users. The US App Store lists Yope Premium (1 Month) at $3.99; the pages consulted do not say which features Premium includes. The terms state subscriptions auto-renew and that the company does not refund except where the law requires.
Privacy
The policy says delivered content is deleted from servers after one month, servers are in the US and Germany, and the company will not view photo content or sell personal data. The app also collects phone number, birthday and contacts (if syncing is on), and shares an advertising ID with ad partners together with data such as country, city and age. The minimum age is 13, and users under 18 need a parent or guardian involved.
More analysis
Who it fits
Yope fits when a whole friend group moves over and wants a private place for photos. App Store reviewers describe it as simple and low-pressure but report many notifications and invite prompts, and some say friends will not leave other apps. For public posting or full group messaging, Instagram or Snapchat have a wider scope; Locket is the closest in its widget idea.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Free
PersonalFree
Free to download and use; the company says it runs no advertising (per TechCrunch).
Yope Premium
Personal$3.99/mo
The US App Store lists Yope Premium (1 Month) at $3.99. The pages consulted do not spell out what Premium includes.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
The terms state the company will not refund incurred subscription charges except where the law requires it. Subscriptions are bought through the App Store and cancelled there.
Privacy
Per the privacy policy (updated 10 December 2025), Yope collects phone number, name or nickname, email, birthday, the photos you share, contacts (only if you enable syncing), activity status and device data such as IP address. Shared content is removed from servers after one month; servers are in the United States and Germany. The policy says it will not sell personal data or view photo content, but it does share an advertising identifier with ad partners. The App Store label lists usage data as used for tracking, and contact info, photos/videos and identifiers as linked to you. Users can export their data with "Download everything". The minimum age is 13.
Yope alternatives
6.7/10Meta's photo and video network: feed, Stories, Reels, messaging and shopping
6.5/10Snapchat
Camera-first messaging app known for AR Lenses, Stories and disappearing Snaps
Frequently asked questions
Is Yope free?
Yes, downloading and the basics are free. Yope Premium is an optional paid plan, $3.99 for one month on the US App Store.
Does Yope have ads?
Per TechCrunch the company runs no advertising. The privacy policy nonetheless says Yope shares an advertising ID with ad partners.
Does Yope support Vietnamese?
The App Store lists English only.
How long does Yope keep photos?
Per the policy, content is removed from servers one month after delivery; recipients have that window to save it to their device.
Review evidence & sources6
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.5
- Features
- 6.0
- Value for money
- 7.0
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 5.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.0
Why this score
A simple flow (snap, send, the photo lands on friends' lock screens) and high store ratings. On the other hand, App Store reviews mention having to add at least five friends before reaching the main screen, plus a contact-sync bug.
Why this score
Covers photos, photo chats, voice messages, streaks, memory albums and widgets. The scope is narrow, and an App Store reviewer notes that video clips cannot be posted.
Why this score
The core is free and ad-free per the company. Premium is $3.99/month on the US App Store but its benefits are not spelled out, and the terms exclude refunds.
Why this score
Google Play shows 4.6/5 from about 71K ratings and the App Store 4.7/5; version 1.231.0 suggests frequent releases. No independent performance data was found, and reviews report a contact-sync bug on iOS and a photo-cropping bug on Android.
Why this score
Support is by email only, and the legal page lists several different contact addresses; no help center was found. The developer replies to reviews on the App Store and Google Play.
Why this score
The policy promises no data sales and no viewing of photos, deletes content after a month and offers export. Against that it collects phone number, birthday and contacts (if enabled), shares an advertising ID with ad partners, and the App Store label lists usage data used for tracking.
What users say
- App Store (United States)4.7/5 · 11,000
- Google Play4.6/5 · 70,931
Sources
- Vendor-providedOfficial websiteNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial legal page (terms and privacy)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial press pageNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- pressTechCrunch (2026-07-22)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Salo App, Inc.
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2021
- Category
- Social
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- AI features
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
Support
Change history
- Company.Yope raises a $12.3 million pre-Series A led by Northzone, bringing total funding to $20 million (per TechCrunch).
- Update.Terms of Use and Privacy Policy last updated.
- Launch.Founding date of Yope per the About section of its press page.
About the author
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