How to Lock Photos on iPhone: 3 Ways, Step by Step
You can lock photos on iPhone without an app. On iOS 27, use the Hidden collection, which is locked by default. Or lock the whole Photos app. Both open with your passcode, so for photos that need more, use a vault with its own key.
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What do I need to know?
- Hidden is locked by default. Hidden and Recently Deleted open only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
- You can lock the Photos app itself. Apple's built-in apps can be locked, but not hidden.
- Every built-in lock accepts your passcode. Anyone who knows it gets in.
Way 1: How do I lock photos in the Hidden collection?
Steps for iOS 27, from Apple's guide.
- Open Photos and tap Select.
- Tap the photos and videos you want to lock.
- Tap the More button, then Hide.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Photos.
- Check that Use Face ID is on. It is on by default.
- Optional: turn off Show Hidden Album so the collection disappears from Photos.
Apple says that once hidden, "You can't view them anywhere else." With iCloud Photos on, they are hidden on all your devices.
Way 2: How do I lock the whole Photos app?
Steps for iOS 27, from Apple's guide.
- Go to the Home Screen.
- Touch and hold Photos until the menu opens.
- Tap Require Face ID, then tap Require Face ID again.
The app relocks each time you quit it. Apple says a locked app's content stays out of notification previews, search and Siri suggestions. Photos came with your iPhone, so it can be locked but not hidden.
Way 3: How do I lock photos with their own password?
iOS has no separate password for photos. Every lock above ends at Face ID or your passcode. For a different secret, move the photos into a vault app that encrypts them under its own key. Then delete the originals and clear Recently Deleted. Our guide on moving photos to a vault has the steps.
Which lock should I use?
- Hiding a gift or a surprise: Hidden is enough.
- Handing your phone to a friend: lock the Photos app too.
- Photos you would hate anyone to see: use a vault with its own key.
- Card and ID photos: a vault, so they also stay out of iCloud Photos.
Are locked photos encrypted?
Not separately. Hidden photos are ordinary photos in your library behind a Face ID prompt. iCloud Photos is end-to-end encrypted only with Advanced Data Protection turned on. (Apple) See is the Hidden album encrypted?
What this doesn't protect against
Someone who knows your passcode can open Hidden, unlock Photos and turn the locks off. Locks do not stop photos syncing to iCloud or to devices on your account. A vault is only as strong as its unlock: use a pattern of 8 or more cells, and keep the recovery phrase.
Do it with Cryptile
Cryptile locks photos behind a drawn pattern, not your passcode. Each file is encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made on your phone. There is no account and no server, and a different pattern opens a different vault.
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. The price is the same every day.