How to hide photos on iPhone

If you’ve ever passed your iPhone® to a friend to show a photo and worried they might scroll too far, you’re not alone. Whether it's sensitive information, personal memories, or just pictures you’d rather keep to yourself, hiding photos on your iPhone can be helpful.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the latest privacy features, including how to use the Hidden album and lock it with Face ID® or Touch ID®. We’ll also share tips for keeping your private photos safe and explain the limits of these built-in tools.

At Asurion, we help millions of people troubleshoot, protect, and get the most out of their tech. Our experts break down the latest iPhone features in simple steps, so you can feel confident using them.

Why you might want to hide photos on your iPhone

Situations where photo privacy is essential

Not all photos are meant to be shared. You might want to hide:

• Screenshots of personal documents.
• Surprise gifts or event plans.
• Images you’d rather not accidentally show while scrolling, like your kid's tub photos or a suspicious mole.

Keeping these photos out of your main photo feed helps protect your privacy, especially if others use your phone now and then.

Overview of iPhone's privacy features for photos

The Photos app includes a built-in Hidden album, which you can lock using Face ID or Touch ID on supported devices. This album keeps your private photos separate from the rest.

How to hide photos using the Hidden album

Step-by-step guide to hiding photos

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Tap Select and choose the photo(s) you want to hide.
3. Tap the three-dot menu (More) and select Hide.
4. Tap Hide Photo to confirm.

The photo will move to the Hidden album.

Accessing and managing the Hidden album

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Tap the Albums tab.
3. Scroll to Utilities and select Hidden.
4. Use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock the album (if enabled).

To unhide a photo:

1. Open the Hidden album.
2. Select the photo, tap More, then choose Unhide.

Securing hidden photos with Face ID or Touch ID

Enabling biometric authentication for Hidden album

To lock your Hidden album:

1. Go to Settings > Photos.
2. Turn on Use Face ID or Use Touch ID under Hidden Album settings.

This adds a layer of protection, ensuring only you can view hidden photos.

Devices supporting this feature

This feature works on most iPhones that support Face ID or Touch ID and are running iOS 16 or later, including the latest iOS 18.4.

Additional tips for keeping photos private

Storing sensitive images in password-protected Notes

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Create a new note and add your photo.
3. Tap the Share icon, then tap Lock Note.

Once locked, only you can open the note using Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.

Important considerations when hiding photos

Understanding the limitations of the Hidden album

While the Hidden album keeps photos out of your main feed, it’s not foolproof:

• Anyone with access to your device passcode can find the album (unless biometric lock is enabled).
• Hidden photos still appear in iCloud backups.

FAQs

Where is the Hidden album located on iPhone?

It’s under the Albums tab in Photos, listed under Utilities.

Can I lock hidden photos without third-party apps?

Yes. Use Face ID or Touch ID to lock the Hidden album in Settings > Photos.

What happens if I delete a photo from the Hidden album?

It’s moved to the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days unless you delete it permanently.

Are hidden photos included in iCloud backups?

Yes. Hidden photos are backed up unless excluded in your iCloud settings.

How do I unhide a photo on iPhone?

Open the Hidden album, select the photo, tap More, then tap Unhide.