How Bluesky draws its logo on screenshots(timmarinin.net)
684 points by gavide 4 days ago | 427 comments
tl;dr: Bluesky replaces its "Follow" button with a logo watermark in iOS screenshots by exploiting `UITextField`'s `isSecureTextEntry` property—rendering the button inside a secure text field's layer, which iOS blanks out during screenshots, revealing the logo beneath. The same trick is used by Signal and Telegram for private content, so Apple is unlikely to patch it. Community reception in the PR thread was largely negative before it was locked.
HN Discussion:
  • Approves of the watermark as a reasonable alternative to a persistent logo overlay
  • ~OS should not allow apps to modify screenshots; blame lies with Apple
  • Any app interference with screenshots is user-hostile growth hacking
  • Shares practical workarounds to bypass the screenshot watermark
  • ~Acknowledges legitimate security uses but resents loss of user control