How to Hide Photos on iPhone

Whether they are private, embarrassing, or sensitive, there are various reasons why you may want to hide photos on your iPhone. It is especially important to keep your sensitive photos away from prying eyes, as you will not want others to go through them even accidentally.

Fortunately, Apple provides a native option on iPhones to hide your photos and videos. This way, you can protect your precious memories from snooping eyes.

How to Hide a Picture on Your iPhone

The simplest way to hide a photo on your iPhone is through the Photos app. The hidden image does not appear in the search results and is removed from the main photos library. It is kept in a special folder called the Hidden Album, which can only be viewed after you confirm your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your phone’s unlock PIN.

If you are on an older iOS version, you may update to the latest iOS 17 release and then follow the steps below.

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Long-press the photo you want to hide and tap Hide from the context menu. 
   
3. Lastly, confirm your choice by tapping Hide Photo.

How to Hide Multiple Photos on iPhone

You can use the Photos app to hide multiple pictures at once on your iPhone. The steps are slightly different from hiding an individual photo.

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Select in the top-right corner to open the multi-selection menu.
   
3. Select all the photos you want to hide.
4. Tap on the three dots at the bottom-right corner and select Hide.
   
5. Tap on Hide Photo in the confirmation window.

How to View Hidden Pictures in Photos app on iPhone

To view the hidden pictures in the Photos app on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. 
2. Switch to the Albums tab from the bottom bar.
3. Scroll down and tap Hidden under Utilities.
4. Grant access with your Face ID. If you do not have the Hidden option continue to the steps below.
   
5. Go to your iPhone’s home screen and open the Settings app.
6. Tap Photos.
   
7. Toggle on Show Hidden Album, then open the Photos app and follow step 2 from above. 
   

How to Hide Photos Using the Notes App on Your iPhone

You can also use the built-in Notes app on your iPhone to hide your private pictures from prying eyes without needing third-party apps. Pictures locked in the Notes app are protected with a passcode, Touch, or Face ID. This makes this solution a safer and more secure option than using the Photos app. However, you must delete the original picture from the Photos app after hiding it in the Notes app.

First, password-protect your Notes app, then proceed to the steps below.

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Click the compose icon at the bottom right to create a new note.
   
3. Tap on the camera icon and tap Choose Photo or Video.
   
4. Select the photo or photos you wish to hide and tap Add.
   
5. Tap on the circle with three dots and select Lock.
   
6. A pop-up will appear, asking whether you want to lock notes behind your iPhone’s passcode or create a separate password for additional security. Select an option based on your preference. Enter your iPhone’s passcode/Face ID as confirmation. 
7. You may now go and delete the original picture from your iPhone’s Photos app.

Use Third-Party Apps to Hide Photos on Your iPhone

Although moving photos from the main library to the Hidden albums on iPhone is fairly straightforward, it might not always be the most secure option. You can always use your iPhone’s Notes app to hide photos but the process is a bit clunky. Thankfully, third-party apps on the App Store easily let you hide private photos on your iPhone behind a pattern, PIN, or Face ID lock.

Private Photo Vault

Private Photo Vault is a free app with many features, making it the favorite privacy app for many iPhone users. This app lets you protect your hidden photos with a password, pattern, and PIN. It offers a decoy password option and break-in alerts.

→ Download

Hide Photos Videos HiddenVault

Hide Photos Videos HiddenVault is one of the best privacy-focused apps for iPhones. With a top-notch encryption system, you can secure your photos and videos with a PIN, Face, and Touch ID. It also offers a private cloud backup for your locked photos and videos.

→ Download

Secret Photo Vault – Keepsafe

Secret Photo Vault – Keepsafe is another free photo privacy app that lets you protect photos on your iPhone with a four-digit PIN. It also comes with a nice private camera that allows you to take pictures and hide them directly in the app without it appearing in the main photo library.

→ Download

FAQs

Are third-party photo-hiding apps safe to use?

Yes, most reputable third-party photo-hiding apps ensure data security and protection through encryption and passcode protection. However, remember to review the app carefully and only choose ones with positive user reviews and a solid track record of privacy protection.

Can I transfer photos from the “Hidden” album to third-party apps like Private Photo Vault or KeepSafe?

Yes, you can transfer photos from the “Hidden” album to third-party apps by saving them to your camera roll and importing them into the desired app.

How can I ensure that my hidden photos remain secure in third-party apps in case my iPhone is lost or stolen?

To ensure the security of your hidden photos in third-party apps, consider enabling additional security measures such as device passcodes, Face ID, or Touch ID authentication. Additionally, some apps offer cloud backup features that can help you retrieve your photos in case of device loss.

Can I hide photos from specific people while keeping them visible to others on my iPhone?

Unfortunately, the built-in photo hiding features and most third-party apps do not offer selective visibility options. Ensure that you maintain strict control over who can access your device or certain applications to maintain privacy.

Start Securing Those Memories Today

From hiding iMessage alerts to hiding apps, there is a lot of customization for privacy on the iPhone. Protecting your personal photos is another form of privacy you may adopt. The iPhone offers different ways to keep your memories safe from prying eyes.

Whether you use the built-in Photos, Notes app, or third-party apps, your privacy is well within your control. Just remember to keep your passwords safe and ensure your device’s security.

Have you hidden pictures on your iPhone before? What’s your favorite method of keeping photos hidden? Let us know in the comments below.