Retro — Photos with Friends icon
Retro App Review: A Premium Private Social Network for Authentic Photo Sharing

by Lone Palm Labs, Inc.

4.8
IOSPhoto & Video
Retro is a privacy-focused iOS photo journaling app that facilitates authentic sharing among close connections. The platform eliminates advertising and data mining while creating weekly digital memory collections with genuine social engagement.

Detailed Review

Retro positions itself as a premium alternative to conventional social media platforms, offering a dedicated space for private photo sharing among trusted connections. Developed by Lone Palm Labs, the application specifically targets users seeking to escape the attention economy and data exploitation prevalent in mainstream social networks. The platform operates on a subscription model rather than advertising revenue, aligning its business interests with user privacy protection. The core functionality revolves around weekly photo journals where users share moments exclusively with approved contacts. The application employs end-to-end encryption for all shared content and maintains a strict no-advertising policy. Users create closed networks of family and friends, with content visibility limited to mutually approved connections. The interface emphasizes chronological sharing rather than algorithmic curation, with a focus on meaningful interactions rather than metrics-driven engagement. The user experience reflects minimalist design principles with intuitive navigation and distraction-free interaction patterns. The interface employs warm color palettes and tactile design elements that evoke physical photo albums. Real-world usage typically involves users sharing 3-5 photos weekly with their closest circles, creating a digital scrapbook that evolves over time. The application's notification system is deliberately restrained, sending weekly reminders rather than constant engagement prompts. User feedback consistently highlights appreciation for the privacy-focused approach and authentic sharing environment. User 'andreakaye76' (July 6, 2025) describes the experience as 'a breath of fresh air,' while 'Shitappandreviewprocess' (April 28, 2025) values that 'just the people I want to see can see what I post.' Several users, including 'bjtitus' (May 10, 2025), have requested export functionality to address concerns about long-term photo preservation should the service discontinue. The application demonstrates notable strengths in privacy protection and intentional social interaction design. However, limitations include the iOS-exclusive availability and lack of content export options. The subscription model may deter some users despite ensuring alignment with privacy values. Retro excels for users seeking meaningful digital connections without the performative aspects and data exploitation of mainstream platforms, particularly fitting for families and close friend groups prioritizing authentic memory preservation.

Key Features

  • Weekly photo journaling system that organizes memories into chronological collections for meaningful reflection
  • End-to-end encrypted sharing ensuring only approved contacts access private photos and moments
  • Ad-free experience maintained through subscription model rather than data monetization
  • Closed network design requiring mutual connections for content visibility and interaction
  • Minimalist interface with tactile design elements evoking physical photo album nostalgia
  • Restrained notification system promoting intentional usage without constant engagement demands

Why Users Love It

Zero advertising or data mining
Authentic social interaction design

Perfect for: Privacy-conscious users seeking authentic photo sharing with close connections

Screenshots

Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 1Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 2Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 3Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 4Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 5Retro — Photos with Friends screenshot 6

User Reviews

Samantha. C. G
Oct 14, 2024

I personally have deleted all my social medias over the past three years and have been left happier but disconnected from friends life’s. This app is perfect for being able to share memories with my close friends in the informal fashion of social media. The lack of video scrolling that was my main reason for deleting Instagram doesn’t exist on this app. Making it great for sharing photos and memories like socail media should, oppose to wasting hours of my time doom scrolling. I’ve personally made my feed very astetic and shared with my friends. With international friends this is great for catching up because we are in diffrent time zones. As an anti social media who what’s to keep in touch this is perfect I personally have deleted all my social medias over the past three years and have been left happier but disconnected from friends life’s. This app is perfect for being able to share memories with my close friends in the informal fashion of social media. The lack of video scrolling that was my main reason for deleting Instagram doesn’t exist on this app. Making it great for sharing photos and memories like socail media should, oppose to wasting hours of my time doom scrolling. I’ve personally made my feed very astetic and shared with my friends. With international friends this is great for catching up because we are in diffrent time zones.

miellamarie
Jun 3, 2025

Retro feels like a digital memory box—so nostalgic but so fresh at the same time I love how minimal yet emotional the design is. It’s perfect for saving little moments with people I care about. Everything feels personal, private, and aesthetic 🤍 Definitely my fave app to look back on simple memories. So cute & cozy 💾🤍 Retro feels like a digital memory box—so nostalgic but so fresh at the same time I love how minimal yet emotional the design is. It’s perfect for saving little moments with people I care about. Everything feels personal, private, and aesthetic 🤍 Definitely my fave app to look back on simple memories.

bjtitus
May 10, 2025

I love this app and really want them to succeed! I would love for some kind of export option. I worry that photos posted might be lost if the network shut down. Love this app! I love this app and really want them to succeed! I would love for some kind of export option. I worry that photos posted might be lost if the network shut down.

Shitappandreviewprocess
Apr 28, 2025

So much fun and private. Just the people I want to see can see what I post. Fun So much fun and private. Just the people I want to see can see what I post.

Ejntheisjjgjrhw
Dec 25, 2024

i don’t usually write reviews for anything but it’s been a few months now on retro and it solves every problem other socials have for me… i can backload all my photos so quickly since it automatically sorts them, i can upload as much or as little as i want and it’s perfectly refined in the cute recaps. the home feed shows me everything from each of my friends in chronological order, no algorithms to mess with. i really want to try the post cards when i have something worth it! i also want to try journals with my friends once i get them hooked 😎 better than a shared album i think. faster! killing it! i don’t usually write reviews for anything but it’s been a few months now on retro and it solves every problem other socials have for me… i can backload all my photos so quickly since it automatically sorts them, i can upload as much or as little as i want and it’s perfectly refined in the cute recaps. the home feed shows me everything from each of my friends in chronological order, no algorithms to mess with. i really want to try the post cards when i have something worth it!i also want to try journals with my friends once i get them hooked 😎 better than a shared album i think. faster!

App Details

Developer

Lone Palm Labs, Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

9/7/2025