There are a multitude of interesting games and apps on Android. We can challenge our friends to online chess, try Rummikub, compete against our scores in the usual endless runners… Or we can completely change the game and use Wallclaimer or alternatives such as SB Wallpaper Changer.
WallClaimer, or how to be able to change the wallpapers of your friends
Imagine being able to change the wallpaper from your family, partner, or friends who live far away. But imagine being able to do it without having to physically use their phones. You would simply need to use your own to claim the canvas that decorates the terminal of your loved ones and replace it with the image of your choice.
The idea behind WallClaimer is precisely that: to allow you to send a wallpaper that, in theory, appears on your contact's phone, almost as if you were acting remotely. Like a ghost, acting without leaving a visible trace beyond the image change. That's exactly what WallClaimer aims to be, a free application available on the Play Store.
Once installed – the download is less than 3 MB, it's a very small app light and simple -, Wallclaimer It will ask us to log in or create a new account on their system. There are no direct synchronization options, so we won't automatically use our Facebook or Gmail accounts, although some of the developers have suggested this improvement as a possible future feature. We will receive an email to verify our email And, after confirming, we will be able to log in normally.
In the registration process we must establish a Username unique within the platform. With the email verified and the user set up, we will have completed the process and we will be ready to start playing with our friends' wallpapers.
In the Home we have a total of four buttons: three direct action and one of settingStarting with this last menu, we see our username, who has changed our background, and whose background we have changed. In this way, it's possible to keep track of... basic history of interactions, something that the developers themselves also consider useful for remembering who photos have been sent to.
From this panel we can also activate the option to automatically save funds that other users change in our gallery, so that the best images are not lost, taking into account How background color can affect battery lifeAdditionally, we can change our username if we want to adjust our nickname and, if needed, log out to stop using the account on that device.
How WallClaimer works step by step
Going back to home, we have a button claim, a button Friends and a button RefreshThe flow of use is very straightforward and, although the interface is simple, the mechanics are designed to be fast and entertainingespecially if you approach it as a game among friends.
Pressing claimWe access our gallery to find a photo to use as a background on a friend's device. It could be a funny picture, an inspirational image, a landscape, or any other content you want to share. You can also use... Use videos as backgroundOnce selected, the image will be displayed full screen, along with a button. Send in the lower area. We tap it, choose the contact, and send it to a friend to become their new wallpaper.
Friends are added to the menu FriendsIn this section we can see friend requests You can also add or remove users from your friends list. You need to fill it up to have fun with this app, so you'll have to convince some friends to join in. The more participants, the more dynamic the image exchange will be.
The last button is the one for RefreshThis forces the app to update and synchronize background changes, new requests, or any modifications made from the server. It's a useful feature when you're waiting for a new wallpaper from someone or when you've just sent an image and want to verify that it's been processed correctly.
That's all the app offers in terms of functionality. From here, it's just a matter of convincing some friends to join the game and starting to exchange funds. You'll be able to spend some occasional jokesYou can post photos that bring back memories or even cheer up a friend with a funny picture if they're feeling down. You can also use it more creatively by sending own photographs that you want to share, as some users do who regularly send their best captures.
You can download Wallclaimer from the PlayStore:
What developers promise and the role of terms and conditions
The application's own description makes it clear that with this tool you can change your friends' wallpaper Reclaiming your current wallpaper and choosing the new image yourself. This eye-catching premise has been key to its popularity, especially during times like holidays, when many users take the opportunity to send cool photos to their loved ones, or even exchange Pixel 2 animated backgrounds.
The creators of WallClaimer have stated on several occasions that it is their first application and that they are still studying improvements and correcting bugs. Among the ideas they have considered are features such as a possible login with facebook, the option to choose more precisely how the wallpaper is positioned on the screen (fit, fill, crop, etc.), a more advanced system for save who you've sent the photos to and a "do not disturb" mode that allows you to temporarily disable wallpaper changes, for example during work, by reverting to the default background.
By downloading and using WallClaimer, users agree to its terms. Terms and Conditions, published on their own official website. These documents specify that the developers They are not responsible for the content Sent through the app, which makes sense in a tool where users choose and share their own images. It's always a good idea to review these legal texts before installing anything, especially in apps that handle personal images or login information.
Potential security risks and why WallClaimer has been accused of being a malicious app
Sometimes when testing apps, we get tricked. This has been the case with an app that, despite its innocent appearance, has raised serious concerns. suspicions of malicious behavior.
We recently learned about the app Wallclaimerwhose purpose was to change your friends' wallpapers. It's a somewhat strange concept that turns the wallpaper app concept on its head, making it more social and gamified. And how huge was the surprise when some users stumbled upon the worst possible results: strong indications that WallClaimer may be a malicious application or, at the very least, very little transparency regarding what it does behind the scenes.
This post was going to focus solely on the app's benefits, but that's not the case. Instead, we'll take the opportunity to briefly review the measures that need to be taken to prevent these kinds of issues. We'll also discuss a... detailed personal experience which serves as a warning about this dubious application.
An attempt to access my account
I opened the application and encountered a process of I'm registering something strange.WallClaimer uses its own account system, which requires email verification. Since I have more than one Google account, I decided to use one of them to register, mainly out of curiosity and to test the app thoroughly. I created my account with that email address, following the standard steps.
A short while later, I received an email in that same account with a very unpromising message: There had been an attempt to access my account from a remote location. The location indicated by Google was in another country, and the login attempt occurred just minutes after the email had been verified with the application. And before we dismiss this as a huge coincidence, it's worth providing some important background information.
My Google accounts are my information hub. I keep work-related things in one, personal things in another, and the least important things in another. Therefore, I always make sure to keep them as up-to-date as possible. protected and monitored This is possible with strong passwords and two-step verification. And until then, I hadn't received any notification of that type in years.Uncertain coincidence right after using WallClaimer?
Then, one of my colleagues proposed a very specific plan to clear things up. We might think it was just a very unfortunate coincidence, but after so many years without incident, it seemed unlikely. We tested the behavior of the application with a somewhat more controlled method.
This colleague suggested I create a completely separate Google account and go through the same linking process from scratch. It seemed like a great idea, so I did it right away. And… confirmedIn the same timeframe after registering the account on WallClaimer, another email arrived informing me that Google had blocked a login attempt from the same suspicious location. There was no longer any reasonable doubt: WallClaimer was behaving like a malicious app, or at least like an application that triggers unauthorized access attempts.
There were things that smelled fishy from the very beginning.
When I opened the application I already had a small idea that Something was wrong.To begin with, the interface was completely unpolished. We could simply condemn WallClaimer as a poorly designed app, but it felt like it was made with the... fair effort So that it would work and pass the minimum requirements, without investing time in polishing the user experience or visual appearance. That already made me suspicious.
Furthermore, just by looking at how the app works, some things become clear. To begin with, WallClaimer doesn't ask us for a single permission. This is noticeable on Android beyond what's strictly necessary, which is odd for an app that supposedly lets you set a wallpaper on someone else's phone. If it's supposed to change wallpapers remotely, you'd expect more granular access to system files or functions, which creates inconsistencies in the app's promise.
On the other hand, the system consisted of accounts and friends within the platform. In other words, to change someone's background you had to Add him as a friendBut then the big technical question arises: how do you actually change the background? NFC, Bluetooth, direct connection to the device? In the tests I did with another phone, I couldn't change its background at any point despite following the indicated steps, which made me think that the "fun" part of the app was more of a gimmick than an effective function.
And its reviews page also tells us something very revealing. It doesn't have too many reviews and, at times, practically none. no real opinionThis could be because it's easier to create fake profiles so the app has better visibility. rating This allows them to appear higher in Google Play search results, a tactic already seen with many low-quality apps. It's surprising how, despite the proven potential threat to users, there haven't been enough negative reviews warning about it.
Tips to avoid falling for deceptive or malicious apps
It's undeniable that Android is a very secure system and that the official store has strengthened its internal controls over time. Our app store is relatively reliable and the malicious apps Their numbers are decreasing. But that doesn't mean we should be less vigilant against these kinds of threats, especially with eye-catching proposals that promise spectacular features.
These types of dubious apps are still available for download and, moreover, their mechanisms are improving every day. deceive the end userTherefore, it is essential to combine system security measures with a proactive approach from the user.
Below we give you some very useful tips To avoid having these types of apps on your device and protect both your data and your accounts:
- Always download from Google Play | Our app store is much safer than unknown sources, and it's preferable to use it rather than resorting to APKs from unreliable third-party sites.
- Make sure to look for recognizable developers | Think for a moment about which app you're looking for. If it's very popular, its developer will likely be featured on Google Play or clearly marked. Check the developer's name, their history, and other published apps.
- Avoid counterfeits | Many apps fake even their developer or icon. It's best to check each app page on the Google Play Store to verify which version is genuine, also checking the number of downloads and screenshots.
- Don't look for apps with illicit uses | If you're trying to find an app to steal Wi-Fi passwords, hack accounts, or perform other illegal activities, don't bother. You won't find them on secure channels, and if you do find something, it will almost certainly be a malicious app designed to take advantage of you.
- Check out the reviews | If an app is good, it will have good ratings and positive reviews from real users. Always check this section to avoid apps with a bad reputation, and be wary of apps with many stars but almost no explanatory comments.
- Never take out your wallet unless necessary | If an app asks you to pay for features, don't do it unless you're absolutely sure the app is legitimate, has good reviews, and that the payment will actually be worthwhile.
- Avoid giving out personal information | As with WallClaimer, if you're unsure whether an app is safe, Avoid giving out sensitive personal information. such as passwords, primary email accounts, bank details, etc. Always use secondary emails for testing and enable two-step verification.
We're not asking you to follow these tips to the letter 24/7, but we do want you to keep them in mind before installing or registering for any unfamiliar app. Android is a very secure system, but it's also... world famous And with millions of users, it's no surprise that some unscrupulous individuals will try to exploit this enormous user base for their own purposes. Curiosity is fine, but it should always be tempered with caution when dealing with apps like WallClaimer.
