Apps to Hide Photos on iPhone: 5 Ways Ranked
You may not need an app. iOS hides photos on its own with the Hidden album, and that is enough to stop someone scrolling your Camera Roll. You need more only if the person you are hiding from knows your passcode or could get into your iCloud.
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What do I need to know?
- Hiding is not encrypting. A hidden photo is still an ordinary photo in your library.
- Your passcode opens most built-in options. Face ID falls back to it.
- Rank by who you are hiding from. A friend glancing, a partner with your passcode, or someone with your Apple Account.
The 5 ways, from least to most protection
Steps below are for iOS 27. The Hidden album and app locking also work on iOS 18.
5. The Hidden album
In Photos, touch and hold a photo, then tap Hide. It moves to Hidden under Utilities, which is locked by default since iOS 16. Apple's Hidden album page has the full steps.
- Keeps out: someone scrolling your library.
- Does not keep out: anyone with your passcode. Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos and can be shown on iCloud.com.
4. Locking the Photos app
Touch and hold Photos on the Home Screen, then tap Require Face ID. Apple's guide to locking or hiding an app covers it. Built-in apps like Photos can be locked but not hidden.
- Keeps out: someone handed your unlocked phone for a moment.
- Does not keep out: your passcode, iCloud, or other ways into the library.
3. Disguised and calculator vault apps
These look like a calculator or another harmless app and open storage after a code. Some encrypt the files, and some only hide them behind the disguise. Our guide to calculator vault apps explains how to tell.
- Keeps out: someone who does not know the app exists.
- Does not keep out: anyone who finds it, if the app does not encrypt or uses a short code.
2. A locked note with its own password
Add the photo to a note, tap the More button, then tap Lock. Choose Create Password rather than your iPhone passcode. Apple says locked notes use end-to-end encryption for iCloud accounts.
- Keeps out: someone with your passcode, if you chose a separate notes password. Apple cannot read it either.
- Does not keep out: the original still in Photos. Delete it and clear Recently Deleted. It also gets clumsy past a handful of photos.
1. An encrypted vault app
A vault keeps photos outside your library, encrypted under a key only you hold. Look for one with no account and published security details. Our six checks help you pick.
- Keeps out: your passcode holder, iCloud access and anyone who opens the app without your secret.
- Does not keep out: someone who sees you unlock it.
Which one should I use?
- A gift or a screenshot you would rather not show: the Hidden album.
- One or two documents: a locked note with its own password.
- Many photos and videos, or someone who knows your passcode: an encrypted vault.
What this doesn't protect against
None of these help if someone watches you unlock them. A photo you already sent, shared or backed up somewhere else is not hidden by moving your copy. Always delete the original and clear Recently Deleted after moving a photo.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile keeps photos and videos out of your library, encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made from a pattern you draw. A different pattern opens a different vault, so you can show a decoy.
Cryptile is free for up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos. Plus removes the limits for $19.99 a year (7-day free trial) or $39.99 once.