- Overview
- Features
- Screenshots
- FAQ
Overview
As mentioned on Gerry Anderson Podcast number 25.
This futuristic, yet retro technology allows you to break the secret codes supplied in the 1960s Sci-Fi comic "TV Century 21". Not only that, but you can encode your own messages to surprise your friends on social media.
The original issue of the comic on January 23rd 1965 came with a functionally identical code-breaker but, almost 50 years later they are a rare beast indeed and possibly chewed and mouldy as they were made of thin card and paper. So, if you have some old copies of the magazine and you've been yearning to decipher those secret messages at the foot of the pages then this is the app you've been looking for!
Requirements:
☞ Works with iPhone
☞ Identicode Requires at least iPhone SE (2nd gen.) or iPhone 11 running iOS 26
Features
Supports Red and Blue codes
Supports encoding and decoding of messages
Use the camera to quickly scan in the source text
Copy and paste
Shake to clear
Exciting futuristic, retro look, feel and sounds
Physical feel when clicking buttons
Encode and decode messages using Apple Shortcuts
Escapist fun and silliness
Screenshots
FAQ
What do those odd buttons do?
The 
button means that when tapped, Identicode expects you to write a coded message, probably taken from a copy of the Century 21 magazine, into the uppermost text box for decoding into readable text.
The 
button means that when tapped, Identicode expects you to write human readable text into the uppermost text box for encoding.
Why the red and blue buttons?
In the original magazine, some messages were given in red and some in blue; each colour uses different decoding/encoding which the app understands.
If for example, you are decoding a supplied red message then tap the red button - text in the upper input box will turn red as confirmation and the decoded readable text appears in the lower box in black after tapping the Convert button.
To encode your own message into blue code then tap the blue button - text in the upper input box will show as black (indicating readable text) and the coded text appears in the lower box in blue after tapping the Convert button.
What does (BLUE CODE) or (RED CODE) in my shared text mean?
When you encode a message and then copy or share it, Identicode records the encoded colour as well. When the receiving agent pastes the text you’ve sent/shared into their copy of Identicode it automatically switches to Decode and selects the right colour. You just need to tap Convert to read the actual message!
How can I clear everything to start a new coding session?
Shake your device.
How do I find out the app’s version number?
Tap Help at the bottom of the screen.
How do I scan coded messages with the camera?
Tap the camera button to bring up the scanning area in the lower part of Identicode. Move your device until the coded text - including text contained within the initial () - appears highlighted and appears in Identicode’s code entry box, then tap Insert, then ‘done’. Tapping ‘done’ allows Identicode to interpret the message colour.
How do I use Identicode with Shortcuts?
Identicode offers four separate actions in Shortcuts: Encode to Blue/Red and Decode from Blue/Red. You supply:
- The master coded text then choose the Encode action to either red or blue as appropriate
- The Red or Blue coded text then choose the Decode action
- The output from the Action is the Encoded or Decoded code