How to hide photos on iPhone
·Written by the developer of Stash
To hide photos on iPhone, open the photo, tap the More button (•••) and choose Hide; the photo leaves your library view and moves to the locked Hidden album. That built-in method is free, takes two taps and is enough for most people. This guide covers it first, then what it does not do.
Hide a photo with the Photos app
- Open Photos and open the photo or video.
- Tap the More button (•••).
- Tap Hide, then confirm.
To hide several at once, tap Select, pick the photos, tap More and choose Hide. You can also touch and hold a single photo and tap Hide.
Where hidden photos go
Hidden photos move to the Hidden album under Utilities. In current iOS versions the Hidden album is locked: it opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode. Check that the lock is on in Settings > Apps > Photos > Use Face ID (on older iOS versions: Settings > Photos).
The same settings page has Show Hidden Album. Turn it off and the Hidden album no longer appears under Utilities at all. For the full tour, see where hidden photos are on iPhone.
Unhide a photo
Open the Hidden album, open the photo, tap More and choose Unhide. It returns to your library at its original date.
What the Hidden album does not do
- Same code as your phone. Anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open it. There is no separate password. If you want one, see how to password protect photos on iPhone.
- It still syncs. With iCloud Photos on, hidden photos stay hidden but sync to every device on your Apple Account. See how to hide photos from iCloud.
When a vault app makes sense
A vault app keeps photos in its own storage, behind its own code. That helps when you want a code that is different from your phone passcode, or when you do not want certain photos in your Photos library at all.
Stash is our app, so weigh this accordingly. It looks and works like a calculator; your secret PIN opens the vault. Photos you import are encrypted on the device with AES-256, and you can add a guest PIN that opens a separate vault and turn on intruder photos (both Premium). Importing copies a photo, so delete the original in Photos and empty Recently Deleted afterwards.
FAQ
Can someone see my hidden photos?
Anyone who can unlock your iPhone, or any device signed in to your Apple Account with iCloud Photos on, can open the Hidden album with that device's passcode or Face ID.
Do hidden photos show up anywhere else?
Apple says hidden photos do not appear in your library, in other albums or in the Photos widget on your Home Screen. They do appear in the Hidden album for anyone who can unlock it.
Is hiding the same as deleting?
No. Hidden photos stay in your library and in iCloud. Deleted photos go to Recently Deleted for about 30 days, then disappear.
Does a vault app replace my passcode?
No. A strong device passcode is still the most important lock on your phone. A vault adds a second lock for a few things.