How Does the iPhone Hidden Album Work?
The Hidden album moves chosen photos out of your main library into a locked album. Since iOS 16 it opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. It hides photos from a glance. It does not encrypt them.
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What do I need to know?
- Hidden is a filter. The photo stays in your library and in iCloud Photos.
- Your passcode opens it. Face ID is a shortcut to the same lock.
- Hidden photos leave most views. They drop out of All Photos, Memories and widgets.
How do I hide a photo?
These steps work on iOS 16 and later.
- Open Photos and open the photo.
- Tap the More button (three dots).
- Tap Hide, then confirm Hide Photo.
To hide many at once, tap Select, pick the photos, then use the same menu.
Where is the Hidden album?
On iOS 18 and later, open Albums and scroll to Utilities. Tap Hidden and unlock it. On iOS 16 and 17 it is under Utilities too. Our guide on where Utilities is shows the screen.
How do I unhide a photo?
- Open Hidden and unlock it.
- Open the photo and tap the More button.
- Tap Unhide.
The photo returns to the main library with its original date.
Can I remove the Hidden album from view?
Yes. Go to Settings → Apps → Photos and turn off Show Hidden Album. The album vanishes from Albums. The photos stay hidden.
On iOS 16 and 17, the setting is at Settings → Photos.
What does Hidden still show?
- Your iCloud Photos. Hidden photos sync like any other photo.
- Apps with Full Access to your library can read them.
- Anyone with your passcode can open the album.
For the full list, see is the Hidden album encrypted?
Should I use Hidden or a vault?
- Hiding a surprise or an awkward screenshot: Hidden is enough.
- Keeping photos from someone who knows your passcode: use a vault with its own key.
What this doesn't protect against
Hidden does not stop someone who knows your passcode. It does not keep photos out of iCloud or a backup. A vault cannot help if someone watches you draw your pattern. A short pattern is weaker than a passphrase, so use 8 or more cells. If you lose both your pattern and your recovery phrase, the vault is gone.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile keeps photos outside the Photos library, encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made on your device from your pattern. There is no account and no server, and the developer never holds your keys.
Cryptile is free for up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos, with files, notes and folders unlimited and encrypted iCloud backup included. Plus adds search inside the vault and the panic pattern for $19.99 a year (7-day free trial) or $39.99 once.
Cryptile Send, Files-app access, shared vaults and sync are coming and are not available yet.