Bluesky uses an iOS secure text field trick to reveal its logo only when users take screenshots

A developer noticed that Bluesky’s logo appears in screenshots where the app normally shows a Follow button. Inspecting Bluesky’s open source code showed it uses an iOS secure text entry behavior to hide the button during screenshots, revealing the logo underneath.

The technique turns a privacy feature meant to protect sensitive text into a subtle branding mechanism. It highlights how apps are increasingly using platform quirks for growth hacking, while raising questions about whether screenshot manipulation should be more transparent to users.