Methods, hardware, and software perform augmented reality created from a separate source in context with, such as synchronized and positioned in, captured media, so as to replicate a similar augmented reality at a different instance. A computer processor in a network of communications devices handles a combination of augmented reality information, anchor information that provides the context-matching, limitation information that controls if such information is transmitted or acted upon, and captured media information. The computer processor compares the anchor information with the media to identify triggering media and how augmented reality elements should appear in context with such media. If successful, the augmented reality is performed on a communications device based on the media. Augmented reality can thus be performed in strict reference to actually-captured media, in only desired or restricted conditions, and information transmission and processing to enable the same may be undertaken only at useful, resource-conserving instances.