Back to Fotonest

How can we help?

Everything you need to master Fotonest — find your photos with a selfie, host an event, and manage your privacy. New here? Start with the step-by-step guide below. Can't find an answer? Email us.

Getting started

Install the app, sign in, find your way around.

Find your photos

Join an event, take a selfie, get matched.

Host an event

Create, choose privacy, upload and share.

Photos & privacy

Your face data, what we collect, deletion.

Plans & payments

Tiers, pricing, refunds, free demo.

Troubleshooting

Sign-in, selfie, scanning and crashes.

How to use Fotonest — step by step

Fotonest helps you find your photos at any event. A host uploads all the photos; you take one quick selfie and Fotonest surfaces only the shots you appear in — no scrolling through thousands of strangers' pictures. There are two things you can do, and you don't have to choose: the same account works for both.

Find your photos as a guest

You attended an event and want the photos of you. Always free.

1

Get the app and sign in

Download Fotonest from the App Store or Google Play and open it. Tap Continue with Google and pick your account — that's it. There's no separate password to remember, and your account is created automatically.

2

Join the event

Tap the camera button in the middle of the bottom bar and point it at the host's Fotonest QR code. The event is added to your Recents instantly. If the host sent you a link instead, just tap it — it opens straight to the event.

3

Tap “Find my photos”

Open the event and tap the blue Find my photos button. The first time, you'll see a short notice explaining how face matching works — tap I understand to continue.

4

Take one selfie

Center your face in the oval and tap the shutter. Fotonest searches every photo in the event for your face — this usually takes a few seconds.

5

Browse, download and share

Your matches appear in a grid, sorted by best match. Tap any photo to view it full-screen, pinch to zoom, and swipe between shots. Use Share to send a full-resolution photo or save it to your device. To grab several at once, long-press a photo to multi-select, then tap Share.

Host an event

You're the photographer or organiser sharing photos with guests.

1

Create the event

From Recents or your Profile, tap + Create event. Give it a name, set the start time, and optionally add a cover image and hero gradient.

2

Pick a size and how long it stays live

Choose a size tier based on how many photos you'll upload, and a duration in months — that's how long the gallery stays online. You're billed the tier's monthly price × the number of months (see Plans & payments). Just trying it out? Flip on Demo mode for a free, short-lived public event.

3

Choose who can see and upload

Set the event's privacy to Public, Private, or Selfie only. This controls who can browse the gallery and who can add photos — full details under Host an event.

Tip: pick this before the event starts — visibility locks once it goes live.

4

Pay and get your QR code

Tap Proceed to launch and pay securely through Razorpay. Your event goes live and you get a unique QR code and shareable link to print, display, or send to guests.

5

Upload your photos

Open the event, tap Contribute photo, and add shots from your Camera or Gallery. Fotonest processes them in the background and matches faces automatically — guests can start finding themselves right away.

Getting started

What is Fotonest?

Fotonest is an app that finds your photos from events you attend. Hosts (photographers and organisers) upload all the photos from a wedding, party, conference or shoot into an event. Guests take a quick selfie, and Fotonest uses face matching to show each guest only the photos they appear in.

One account does both jobs — there's no separate "host mode". What you can do is decided by your relationship to each event: you can browse and find yourself in events you join, and create and manage events you own.

How do I get Fotonest?

Fotonest is a free download on the Apple App Store (iPhone and iPad) and Google Play (Android phones and tablets). You can also use Fotonest in a browser at app.fotoneststudio.com — handy when a host shares an event link on a laptop.

How do I sign in? Do I need a password?

Open the app and tap Continue with Google, then choose the Google account you want to use. Your Fotonest account is created automatically — there's no separate password to set or remember. Sign-in is required to use the app, and you stay signed in until you sign out.

You must be at least 13 years old (or the minimum age of digital consent where you live) to use Fotonest.

How do I find my way around the app?

There are three main areas, reachable from the bar at the bottom:

  • Home (Recents) — your last events, whether you joined or created them. Pull down to refresh.
  • Camera — the big button in the middle. Tap it to scan an event QR code.
  • Me (Profile) — your events you own, events you joined, plus Privacy, About and Sign out.
Which devices does Fotonest support?

The Fotonest app runs on iOS 13 and later and on modern Android phones and tablets, with layouts tuned for both phone and tablet screens. Hosts and guests can also use the web app at app.fotoneststudio.com.

Find your photos (guests)

How do I join an event?

Two easy ways:

  • Scan the QR code — tap the camera button at the bottom and point it at the host's Fotonest QR. The event is added to your Recents.
  • Open the shared link — tap a link the host sent (it looks like app.fotoneststudio.com/…). It opens the event in the app, or in your browser if the app isn't installed.

You don't need a PIN to find your photos — a PIN is only required to upload photos to a private event (see Host an event).

Why do I have to take a selfie?

Your selfie is how Fotonest recognises you among the event's photos. The selfie is sent securely to our servers and converted into a numerical face embedding — a mathematical signature that cannot be turned back into a picture of your face. It's encrypted, used only within the event you joined, and never shared with other guests. The first time you do this, the app shows a short consent notice.

How accurate is matching, and how do I get the best results?

Matching is most accurate when your selfie is clear. For the best results:

  • Stand in good, even lighting.
  • Face the camera straight-on with your whole face visible.
  • Take off sunglasses, masks or anything covering your face.

Heavy makeup, extreme angles or dim lighting in the event photos themselves can also reduce matches. Face matching is very good but not perfect — we can't guarantee every photo of you will be found.

Some of my photos are missing — what do I do?

First, the host may still be uploading — new photos keep getting matched as they arrive, so try again a little later. Second, retake your selfie in better light and straight-on. If a private event allows it, tap Browse public photos to scroll the full gallery. Still stuck? Email support@fotoneststudio.com with the event link.

Can I retake my selfie?

Yes. Open the event and tap Find my photos again to capture a new selfie. Fotonest re-runs the search with your latest shot, which is the quickest fix if matches look off.

How do I download or share my photos?

One photo: tap it to open full-screen, then tap Share. Fotonest prepares the full-resolution original and opens your phone's share sheet, where you can send it to any app or choose Save image / Save to device.

Several at once: in your matched grid, long-press a photo to enter selection mode, tap the others you want (or use select-all), then tap Share to send them together.

Can I browse all the event's photos, not just mine?

Usually yes — open the event and tap Browse public photos to scroll the whole gallery. The exception is a Selfie-only event, where the host has chosen to show each guest only their own matched photos; there, public browsing is turned off and you'll use Find my photos instead.

How do I remove an event from my list?

On Home (Recents), tap the menu on an event card and choose Remove from list. Removing an event you joined also leaves the event and deletes the face embedding Fotonest held for you there.

Host an event

How do I create an event?

From Recents (the + button) or your Profile, tap Create event. Fill in:

  • Name (required) and an optional cover image or hero gradient.
  • Start time and duration (1–12 months) — how long the gallery stays live.
  • Size tier — based on how many photos you'll upload.
  • Privacy — Public, Private or Selfie-only.

Tap Proceed to launch, pay through Razorpay, and your event goes live with its own QR code and shareable link.

What's the difference between Public, Private and Selfie-only?

Visibility controls who can browse the gallery and who can upload:

  • Public — anyone with the link can browse the gallery and contribute photos. Best for open, social events.
  • Private — anyone with the link can browse, but uploading requires the event PIN. Best when you want guests to view freely but control who adds photos.
  • Selfie only — the most private. Guests can't browse the full gallery at all; each person sees only the photos they match via a selfie. Uploading still requires the PIN.

Set this when you create the event — visibility locks once the event starts and can't be changed afterward.

What is the event PIN and where do I find it?

For Private and Selfie-only events, Fotonest creates a 6-digit PIN that anyone needs in order to upload photos to your event. As the owner, open the event → Owner settingsReveal PIN to see it, then share it only with people you want to contribute. Guests don't need the PIN just to find their own photos.

How do guests find and join my event?

Every event gets a unique QR code and a shareable link. Open the event, tap Share, then Copy link or Share to send it via WhatsApp, Instagram, email and more — or display/print the QR at your venue. Guests scan or tap to join instantly.

How do I upload photos, and who else can?

Open the event and tap Contribute photo, then choose Camera (take new shots — you can keep snapping and upload a batch) or Gallery (pick multiple existing photos). Uploads process in the background and faces are matched automatically.

Who can upload depends on visibility: in Public events anyone can contribute; in Private and Selfie-only events, contributors need the PIN. As the owner, you can always upload.

Can I edit my event after creating it?

Open the event → Owner settings. There you can update the banner image at any time and Reveal the PIN. You can rename the event and change its visibility only before it starts — both lock once the event is live. To finish early, you can delete the event (see below).

Can I show guests a promotion or my Instagram?

Yes. When creating an event, expand Additional · Upload promotion and add a photo, GIF or short clip (up to 1 MB). It's shown to guests after they upload, and you can attach your Instagram handle so tapping the promo opens your profile — a nice touch for studios and photographers.

What happens when my event's time is up?

An event stays live for the duration you set when creating it. When that period ends, the event is marked Ended and its photos are removed from our servers. Plan your duration to comfortably cover how long guests will want access.

Can I delete an event I created?

Yes. Open the event → Owner settingsDelete event and confirm. This permanently removes the event and all of its photos and face data. It can't be undone.

Photos, privacy & data

Who can see the photos I'm in?

It depends on the event's visibility. In a Public event anyone with the link can browse the gallery; in a Private event they can browse but only PIN-holders can add photos; in a Selfie-only event nobody browses freely and each guest sees just their own matches. The host of an event can see your name and the photos that match you within that event — but never your selfie or your face embedding.

What information does Fotonest collect?
  • Profile — your name, email and photo from Google sign-in.
  • Photos you upload — stored in Google Cloud Storage and processed to detect faces for matching.
  • Selfies — converted to an encrypted face embedding used only to find your photos in events you join.
  • Event activity — which events you own and join.
  • Device & usage data — anonymised device model, OS, app version and crash logs to keep the app stable. This is never linked to your face data.

Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Is my face data safe? Do you sell it or train AI on my photos?

No selling, no ads, no third-party AI training. We do not sell or rent your personal information, we do not use your face data for advertising, and we do not train third-party generative-AI models on your photos. Your face embedding is encrypted at rest, stored separately from your contact details, and can't be reversed into an image of your face. Data is encrypted in transit with TLS.

How long do you keep my data?
  • Account data — until you delete your account.
  • Event photos — until the event's lifecycle expires or the owner deletes the event.
  • Face embeddings — only while you remain a member of an event; deleted when you leave or the event ends.
  • Crash & analytics logs — up to 90 days.
How do I delete my account?

In the app, go to Profile → Privacy → Delete my account and confirm. This sends a deletion request to our team; we permanently remove your account, uploaded photos and face data within 30 days. This can't be undone. You can also email support@fotoneststudio.com.

How do I get a copy of my data?

Go to Profile → Privacy → Export my data. We'll send a copy of your account data and respond within 30 days. You can also email our privacy team at support@fotoneststudio.com.

Which permissions does the app ask for, and why?
  • Camera — to take selfies for matching and to scan event QR codes.
  • Photo library — only when you choose photos to upload to an event you host.
  • Notifications — to tell you when your matches are ready or an event's status changes.

Plans & payments

Joining events and finding your photos is always free. Only hosts pay, and only when they create an event.

How much does hosting cost?

You pick a tier by how many photos you'll upload, and pay the monthly price × the number of months you keep the event live (1–12). For example, Standard for 2 months is ₹425 × 2 = ₹850.

Starter

₹249 /mo

Up to 500 photos

Professional

₹649 /mo

Up to 2,000 photos

Enterprise

₹999 /mo

Up to 4,000 photos

Prices are shown in Indian Rupees (₹) and confirmed at checkout. Need something bigger or custom? Talk to us.

Is there a free way to try it?

Yes — turn on Demo mode while creating an event for a free, short-lived event so you can see the whole flow end to end. Demo events are Public only (Private and Selfie-only need a paid plan), and they're labelled DEMO on the event card.

Which payment methods can I use?

Payments are processed by Razorpay, which accepts credit/debit cards, UPI, net-banking and popular wallets. You pay inside the app when you launch an event.

Is paying secure?

Yes. Payments run through Razorpay, a PCI-DSS-certified processor, over an encrypted (TLS) connection. Fotonest never sees or stores your card details.

Can I get a refund?

Because your event goes live immediately, payments are generally non-refundable. If you believe you were charged in error, email support@fotoneststudio.com within 14 days and we'll review it in good faith. See our Terms of Service for the full policy.

Do I get a receipt or invoice?

Razorpay emails a payment confirmation to the address on your account after a successful payment. If you need a formal tax invoice or a duplicate receipt, email support@fotoneststudio.com and we'll help.

Troubleshooting & account

I can't sign in with Google

Make sure you're on the latest version of the app and have a working internet connection. On Android, check that Google Play Services is up to date. If sign-in still fails, try a different Google account or restart your device. If you see an error code, screenshot it and send it to support — it helps us pinpoint the issue fast.

My selfie or camera isn't working
  • Allow camera access: device Settings → Apps → Fotonest → Permissions → Camera.
  • Accept the one-time face-recognition notice when prompted.
  • Stand in good light and fill the oval with your face.
  • If the preview is blank, tap Retry, or close and reopen the app.
A QR code won't scan

Hold steady and make sure the whole code sits inside the on-screen frame. In low light, tap the torch icon. Wipe your lens if it's smudged. If the app says “Not a Fotonest QR”, the code is for something else — ask the host for their Fotonest QR or share link instead.

The PIN won't work when I try to upload

Double-check you have the correct 6-digit PIN from the host (the owner can find it under Owner settings → Reveal PIN). After several wrong attempts, entries are paused briefly — wait a moment and try again. Remember, the PIN is only needed to upload to private events, not to find your own photos.

The app is slow or keeps crashing

Force-close the app and reopen it. If it persists, update Fotonest from the App Store or Google Play. Still seeing issues? Email us with your device model, OS version and what you were doing — it helps us reproduce and fix it.

How do I change the name or email on my account?

Fotonest uses the name and email from your Google account. Update them in your Google account and they'll sync to Fotonest next time you open the app. You can change your profile picture in the app from Profile by tapping your avatar.

No results found. Try a different word, or email support.

Still need help?

Our team replies within one business day.