Hide In Picture
Modern HIP is a steganography utility for macOS & Windows that lets you hide any file inside a PNG image using AES‑256 encryption. If you need help or have a question, you're in the right place.
Switch the app to Hide Mode (Red). Select your carrier PNG and the file you want to hide. Enter a strong Security Key (password) for AES‑256‑GCM encryption, then click "Hide my file." A new image will be generated containing your encrypted data.
Switch the app to Retrieve Mode (Green). Select the PNG image that contains your hidden data and enter the original Security Key (password). Click "Retrieve my file" to decrypt and save your hidden file.
PNG is required for secure steganography. JPEG uses lossy compression that destroys hidden data. PNG is lossless, ensuring your encrypted payload remains bit‑perfect and recoverable.
The maximum hidden file size depends on the dimensions of your carrier PNG. A 1920×1080 PNG can hold roughly 750KB of hidden data. Larger images can hold more.
Modern HIP encrypts your hidden file using AES‑256‑GCM before embedding it. The app has no internet connectivity and does not transmit any data. All operations occur entirely on your local machine.
Windows Store apps run inside a sandbox and cannot write directly to system folders like Pictures, Documents, or Desktop unless the user selects the folder through a File Picker. If you try to save there without selecting it first, Windows will block the operation.
To avoid this, choose any folder manually through the File Picker, or create a dedicated folder such as C:\secure for saving your encrypted PNGs.
You can generate a strong Security Key (password) here: Password Generator.
Yes. Your Security Key (password) is simply the password Modern HIP uses to generate a 256‑bit encryption key. We use the term “Security Key” to emphasize that it cannot be recovered or reset. If it is lost, the hidden data cannot be retrieved.
We recommend using a passphrase of 12 characters or more. You can generate one here: Password Generator. There is no recovery option — if you forget your Security Key (password), your hidden data cannot be retrieved.
No. Complex‑looking passwords that follow predictable patterns are weak. Attackers guess these first because they appear in leaked password lists.
A strong key is unpredictable. The best options are a random 12‑character string or a multi‑word passphrase.
Yes. A random four‑word passphrase is extremely strong and easy to remember.
Use a 12–16 character passphrase for convenience and strength. For maximum security, use a random 12‑character password stored in a password manager.
Yes. The encrypted PNG is safe to store anywhere — locally or online — as long as your Security Key (password) is strong.
Choose a natural, unremarkable filename such as vacation_photo.png or family_dinner.png. Avoid names that hint at hidden content like “encrypted,” “hidden,” or “payload.”
Yes. Files hidden on Windows can be retrieved on macOS, and vice versa, as long as you use the same Security Key (password).
No. Most platforms recompress or convert images, which destroys hidden data. Always share via email attachments, cloud storage links, or physical transfer.
The most common cause is a typo in your Security Key (password). Even a single incorrect character will cause decryption failure. There is no recovery option — Modern HIP has no backdoor or password reset.
Yes. Modern HIP is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Yes. Modern HIP is compatible with macOS Monterey (12) and later, on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Questions? [email protected]