Are Screenshots of STI Results Safe (or Trustworthy)?
Screenshots are the go-to way people share STI results — but they're neither as safe nor as trustworthy as they seem. Here's the honest breakdown, and what to use instead.
July 5, 2026
Screenshots of STI results are not very safe or trustworthy. They can be edited in seconds, so even a genuine screenshot is easy to doubt — and once sent, they can be saved, forwarded, or resurface permanently, with no way to take them back. A verified, revocable result is a safer alternative because it proves the result is real and current while keeping you in control of who sees it.
If you've ever screenshotted a test result to reassure a partner — or been sent one — you've probably had a quiet thought: how do I actually know this is real? It's a fair question, and it cuts both ways. Let's look honestly at whether screenshots are safe to send and trustworthy to receive.
Yes — easily. Anyone with a basic photo editor or even a phone's built-in tools can change a name, a date, or a result in under a minute. That's not a reason to assume everyone is dishonest; most people aren't. But it does mean a screenshot can't prove anything on its own. The person receiving it has to simply take your word for it — which defeats the point of showing proof in the first place. Trust should come from the relationship; the evidence should be able to stand on its own.
Even setting aside fakes, screenshots have a privacy flaw that's easy to overlook in the moment: once you send one, it's gone from your control. It can be:
STI results are special-category health data — some of the most sensitive information about you that exists. "Send it and hope it's deleted" is not a privacy strategy.
If someone sends you a screenshot, be aware you're being asked to trust an image that could have been edited. That doesn't mean assume the worst — it means recognise that a screenshot isn't verification. If knowing for sure matters to you, it's reasonable to prefer a method that proves the result is genuine and current.
The fix is a result that carries its own proof and stays under your control. That's the idea behind a verified Rezults card: your real results, confirmed as genuinely yours and current, shared by tap, link, or QR code — with you deciding who sees them, what they see, and for how long, and able to revoke access at any time.
The contrast is stark:
And if you're gearing up for the conversation itself, our guide on how to tell a partner about STI testing has scripts you can borrow.
Screenshots feel convenient, but they're easy to fake and impossible to take back — which makes them neither the safest nor the most trustworthy way to share STI results. If you want proof that actually proves something and keeps you in control, use a verified, revocable result instead of an image you can never recall.
Educational information only — not medical advice.
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Are screenshots of STI results safe to send?
Not really. Once sent, a screenshot can be saved, forwarded, or backed up permanently, and you can't take it back. Because STI results are highly sensitive, a revocable, verified share you control is safer.
Can STI result screenshots be faked?
Yes — a name, date, or result can be edited in under a minute with basic tools. That means a screenshot can't prove a result is genuine on its own; the receiver has to simply trust it.
How can I tell if an STI result is real?
A plain screenshot can't confirm this. A verified result (like a Rezults card) is confirmed as genuinely belonging to the person and current, so it doesn't rely on trust alone.
What should I use instead of a screenshot?
A verified, revocable result — shared by tap, link, or QR code — that proves it's real and current while letting you control who sees it and revoke access at any time.
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