The Photos app on your iPhone includes a feature that lets you create a hidden photo album to keep your most private images and videos secure. On devices running iOS 16 or later, this Hidden album is automatically protected by Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that no one else can see its contents.
The ability to lock the Hidden album with Face ID or Touch ID requires an iPhone running iOS 16 or later. On iOS 14 and 15, you can hide photos, but the album itself will not be locked. Follow these instructions to move your private photos and videos into a secure, hidden album that only you can access on your device.
To hide your photos and videos, open the Photos app on your iPhone. On recent iOS versions, tap the All button at the bottom of the screen to view your entire library. On iOS 17 and earlier, tap the Libraries tab at the bottom to see all your photos. Locate a photo or video you wish to hide. To select multiple items, tap the Select button in the top-left corner and then tap each item you want to include.
Tap the three-dot menu (•••). This menu appears in the top-right corner for a single item or in the bottom-right corner if you have selected multiple items. From the menu, select the Hide option. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Confirm your choice by tapping Hide Photo or Hide Video. The selected items will now be moved to your Hidden album.
To view the hidden album, first make the Hidden album visible within the Photos app. Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap on Photos. On some iOS versions, you may need to tap Apps first. Find the Show Hidden Album option and toggle it to the on position. Return to the Photos app and navigate to the Utilities section.
On iOS 18 and later, scroll down from the main screen to find the Utilities section. On older versions, tap the Albums tab and then scroll down to the Utilities section. Tap on the Hidden album. You will be prompted to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID to view its contents. Once unlocked, you can view your hidden items. To move an item back to your main library, tap the item, select the three-dot menu (•••), and choose Unhide.
The album will automatically re-lock when you switch to another app or lock your screen. If you want to make the album disappear from the list again, return to Settings > Photos and toggle the Show Hidden Album switch off.
On iOS 18 and later, you can also lock the Photos app itself. On your Home Screen or in your App Library, tap and hold the Photos app icon. From the menu that appears, select Require Face ID (or Touch ID/passcode). Confirm your choice in the notification. The next time you open the app, it will require authentication. To remove this lock, long-press the app icon again and choose Don’t Require Face ID. You will need to authenticate one last time to confirm the change.
If you need extra features like break-in alerts, decoy albums, or cloud backup for your private files, consider third-party apps like KeepSafe Secret Photo Vault or Private Photo Vault.
Using the Hidden album feature ensures that personal or sensitive photos, such as copies of documents or private moments, are not accidentally seen by others who may be borrowing or looking at your phone. It adds a crucial layer of security between your public gallery and your private content. Beyond preventing awkward situations, this feature provides peace of mind. Knowing that your most personal photos are protected by biometrics means you can hand your phone to a friend to show them vacation pictures without worrying they might swipe one photo too far.
It’s a simple yet powerful tool for maintaining your digital privacy and controlling who sees your personal content.
