What to look for when you think something might be an AR scam
An augmented reality (AR) scam is a fake app or website that pretends to show digital objects overlaid on your camera view, but actually steals your information, charges you money without permission, or installs malware on your device. The scam works because AR sounds impressive and unfamiliar to most people — so when someone sees a polished-looking app that claims to do something cool with AR, they assume it must be real.
Real AR apps come from known companies like Snapchat, Instagram, Pokemon Go, or IKEA. Fake ones usually come from unknown developers, have poor reviews that mention charges or crashes, ask for permissions they don't need, or require payment upfront for features that should be free. The easiest way to protect yourself is to check where the app comes from, read the actual user reviews (not the fake five-star ones at the top), and never download from links in emails or texts.
Key Takeaways
- Real AR apps come from recognizable companies and have thousands of genuine reviews; fake ones come from unknown developers with few or suspicious reviews.
- Scam AR apps often ask for permissions they don't need, like access to your contacts or location, or demand payment before you can use basic features.
- Never download an app from a link in an email, text message, or social media post — always go directly to the official app store on your device.
- If an app crashes constantly, shows ads that won't close, or charges your account without your permission, delete it immediately and report it to the app store.
- Legitimate AR features are usually built into apps you already know, like Snapchat filters or Instagram effects, rather than hidden in standalone apps from unknown names.
Check the developer name and company behind the app
Before you download anything, look at who made it. Open the app store on your phone — either Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone) — and search for the app. On the app's page, scroll down until you see the developer name. If it says something generic like "Tech Solutions Inc." or a random string of letters, that is a red flag. Real AR apps come from companies you recognize: Meta (Instagram, Facebook), Snapchat, Nintendo (Pokemon Go), Apple, Google, or IKEA.
Click on the developer name to see what other apps they have made. If this is their only app, or if their other apps are all low-quality games with one-star reviews, the developer is probably not legitimate. Real companies release multiple apps over time, and their older apps still have active support. A brand-new developer with one app asking for money is almost always a scam.
Read the actual user reviews, not just the star rating
The star rating at the top of an app page is often fake. Scammers pay for five-star reviews to boost the rating, then real users leave one-star reviews lower down complaining about the actual experience. Scroll past the top reviews and read what people actually say in the middle and bottom sections. Look for patterns: do multiple people mention being charged without permission? Do they say the app crashes or won't open? Do they say it asks for weird permissions like access to their contacts or photos?
Real complaints in reviews sound specific and frustrated. Fake positive reviews sound generic: "Great app!" or "Love it!" with no detail. If you see dozens of five-star reviews that say nothing, and then dozens of one-star reviews that describe real problems, the app is a scam. Trust the detailed complaints over the vague praise.
Watch for permission requests that don't make sense
When you first open an app, it asks permission to access things on your phone: your camera, your location, your contacts, your photos, your microphone. Some permissions make sense for AR. An AR app needs your camera to show you the augmented view. But if an AR app asks for permission to access your contacts, your text messages, your location history, or your photos before you have even used the app, that is a scam. Legitimate AR apps ask only for camera and microphone access.
Do not grant permissions just because the app asks. If you accidentally tap "Allow" and then realize the app is asking for too much, go to your phone's settings, find the app, and revoke the permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and look for the app name. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions. You can turn off any permission, and the app will either work without it or stop working — either way, you are protected.
Avoid apps that charge money before you can try them
Legitimate AR apps are free to download and free to use. Some offer paid features inside the app (called in-app purchases), but you can always download and open the app for free first. If an app asks you to pay before you can download it, or before you can see what it actually does, it is a scam. Scammers use upfront payment to make sure you cannot get your money back once you realize the app is fake.
If you see an app that costs money, check the reviews first. Real paid apps have thousands of reviews from people who bought them and used them. If a paid app has only a few reviews, or if the reviews mention that it does not work, do not buy it. And never buy an app from a link in an email or text message — those links almost always lead to fake versions. Always download from the official app store on your device.
Never download from links in emails, texts, or social media
Scammers send messages that look like they come from a real company: "Download our new AR app here!" with a link. The link does not go to the real app store — it goes to a fake website that looks like the app store, or it downloads a file that installs malware. This is one of the most common ways people get scammed. If someone sends you a link to download an app, ignore it. Instead, open your phone's app store yourself and search for the app by name.
The same rule applies to social media. If you see an ad on Instagram or Facebook claiming to have a new AR app, do not click the link in the ad. Go to the app store and search for it there. Real companies advertise their apps in the app store itself, not by sending you links to click. If you are not sure whether an app is real, search for the company name plus the word "scam" in Google. If other people have reported it as fake, you will find those reports.
Delete the app immediately if it misbehaves
Sometimes you download an app and it seems fine at first, but then it starts acting strange. It crashes every time you open it. It shows ads that you cannot close. It charges your account without asking. It keeps asking for permissions even after you said no. These are all signs that the app is malicious. Delete it right away. On iPhone, press and hold the app icon, then tap "Remove App" and "Delete App". On Android, press and hold the app icon, tap "Uninstall", and confirm.
After you delete it, report it to the app store. On the app's page in the store, look for a "Report" button or a three-dot menu. Tell the store why you are reporting it: that it charged you without permission, that it crashes, or that it asks for suspicious permissions. The app store reviews these reports, and if enough people report the same app, it gets removed. You can also contact your bank or payment method if the app charged you, and ask them to reverse the charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an AR app is real or fake?
Check the developer name — real AR apps come from companies you recognize. Read the detailed user reviews, not just the star rating. Look for complaints about charges, crashes, or suspicious permissions. Real AR apps ask only for camera access, not your contacts or location. If the app is from an unknown developer, has few reviews, or asks for too many permissions, it is a scam.
Can I get my money back if I paid for a fake AR app?
Yes, contact your payment method — your bank, credit card company, or the payment service you used. Tell them the app was fraudulent and ask for a refund. Also report the app to the app store so it gets removed. The app store may refund you directly if you report it within a certain time frame, usually 15 to 48 hours after purchase.
What should I do if an AR app charged me without permission?
Delete the app immediately, then contact your bank or payment method and report the unauthorized charge. Also report the app to the app store. If the charge was small, your bank may reverse it automatically. If it was large or repeated, your bank can open a dispute and investigate.
Are AR filters on Instagram and Snapchat safe?
Yes. Instagram and Snapchat filters are built into those apps and come from the companies themselves or from creators they have vetted. You do not need to download a separate app to use them. If someone tells you to download a different app to get "better" filters, that is a scam.
What if I am not sure whether an app is real?
Search for the app name plus the word "scam" in Google. If it is a known scam, you will find reports from other people. You can also check the app store reviews and look at the developer's other apps. If everything looks suspicious, do not download it. There are plenty of real AR apps — stick with ones from companies you know.