Getting 100% completion in Photomaly is surprisingly manageable compared to most horror games. A full achievement run usually takes around 1.5–2 hours, with most achievements unlocking naturally as you progress through the story. Only a handful are missable, so knowing when they appear can save you from replaying the entire game.
This guide covers all 10 Steam achievements, including the story unlocks, hidden achievements, and both endings.
Story Achievements
These achievements unlock naturally as you play through the game.
Picture Perfect
How to Unlock:
Complete your very first customer order.
This is your introduction to the game’s workflow and cannot be missed.
Did I See Someone?
How to Unlock:
Experience the first anomaly near the fuse box.
After the power cuts out, head toward the fuse box as instructed. A scripted jumpscare involving something moving in the distance will trigger, unlocking the achievement.
Chemical Romance
How to Unlock:
Develop your first roll of film correctly.
Use the chemicals in the proper order:
- Developer
- Stop Bath
- Fixer
Following the correct development process unlocks the achievement.
Customer Service
How to Unlock:
Give a customer the wrong photographs.
This one is actually easier than it sounds.
Simply hand any customer prints that don’t belong to them. The achievement unlocks immediately, whether the mistake is intentional or accidental.
I’m Something of an Artist
How to Unlock:
Use the paint program for the first time.
Open the in-game paint application and make any edit.
Even drawing a single line is enough to earn the achievement.
Missable Achievements
These achievements require specific actions and can easily be overlooked.
Totally Normal Behavior
How to Unlock:
Set one of the customer photographs as your desktop wallpaper.
After receiving customer photos, choose one and apply it as the computer’s wallpaper instead of simply processing the order.
The achievement unlocks immediately.
I’m a Certified Demon Photographer / No Face, No Case
How to Unlock:
Photograph the mysterious agent.
Throughout the game you’ll occasionally encounter the strange figure responsible for many of the supernatural events.
Take a snapshot of the mysterious agent when the opportunity appears to unlock this hidden achievement.
Not So Fast
How to Unlock:
Catch a customer attempting to leave with a photograph.
When It Happens
This event occurs on Day 5.
A man wearing a red jacket asks you to process his photographs.
What to Do
- Finish his order.
- Hand him the photographs.
- When he mentions that someone is standing behind you, turn around.
- Quickly turn back and watch him.
- Follow him as he begins walking away.
Successfully catching him before he escapes unlocks the achievement.
Family Matters (Good Ending)
This achievement is tied to one of the game’s endings.
Step 1: Reach the Final Day
Progress through the game until Day 6, completing all previous shifts normally.
Step 2: Complete Your Morning Tasks
Start the day as usual:
- Turn on the fuse box.
- Clean the studio.
- Open the shop.
- Process customer orders correctly.
Avoid giving customers the wrong photographs during this shift.
Step 3: Wait for the Final Event
Eventually the atmosphere changes dramatically as the game’s ending sequence begins.
Step 4: Speak With the Messenger
A mysterious visitor arrives to guide you.
Approach him and interact.
Step 5: Follow Him
Instead of remaining inside the shop, leave with him.
He’ll guide you through the back areas toward your father.
Step 6: Finish the Story
Continue through the dialogue until the ending plays.
After completing this storyline, you’ll unlock the Family Matters achievement.
Reset Protocol (Bad Ending)
This achievement requires triggering the game’s bad ending.
Instead of escaping the studio, you’ll allow the anomaly to win.
Step 1: Reach the Final Shift
Play through the game until the final day and complete the opening tasks as normal.
Step 2: Trigger the Endgame
Continue until the final supernatural sequence begins and the studio environment changes.
Step 3: Ignore the Messenger
When the messenger appears, do not follow him.
Instead, refuse to report anything and remain behind.
Step 4: Let the Ending Play
Your character will eventually be caught by the anomaly.
A cutscene plays showing their memories being erased before the game loops back to Day 1.
The Reset Protocol achievement unlocks as the screen fades to black.
All Photomaly Achievements
| Achievement | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Picture Perfect | Complete your first customer order. |
| Did I See Someone? | Experience the fuse box jumpscare after the power outage. |
| Chemical Romance | Develop your first film roll using Developer → Stop Bath → Fixer. |
| Customer Service | Give a customer the wrong photographs. |
| I’m Something of an Artist | Make your first edit using the paint application. |
| Totally Normal Behavior | Set a customer photo as your in-game desktop wallpaper. |
| I’m a Certified Demon Photographer / No Face, No Case | Photograph the mysterious agent. |
| Not So Fast | Stop the customer in the red jacket from leaving with a photo on Day 5. |
| Family Matters | Follow the messenger during the final sequence to reach the father’s ending. |
| Reset Protocol | Ignore the messenger and trigger the memory wipe ending. |
If you’re planning to unlock every achievement in one go, it’s worth leaving the ending achievements until last. Most of the achievements can be earned naturally during a normal playthrough, while Family Matters and Reset Protocol require different choices during the final sequence. By keeping a save before the ending (if available), you can experience both endings without replaying the entire game from the beginning.
Apart from the two ending routes and a few hidden interactions, Photomaly’s achievement list is fairly straightforward, making it a great game for players looking to add another 100% completion to their Steam library.