Photos
Hidden album
Most people call this photos kept out of the main library.
Hidden photos are moved out of the main library into a Hidden album, which can itself be hidden from the albums list and locked behind Face ID.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 18 and later
- Settings
- Apps
- Photos
- Show Hidden Album
What it does
Hiding removes a photo from the main grid, Memories and Featured content. The Hidden album is locked by default on recent releases, and Show Hidden Album controls whether it appears in the albums list at all.
What changes
When it is on
The Hidden album appears in the albums list.
When it is off
The album is not listed at all, though the photos still exist.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- You can reach hidden photos easily.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Nobody browsing your albums sees that a hidden album exists.
- The album is locked behind Face ID either way.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Album hidden from the list, and locked when shown.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs iOS 14 or later
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 18 and later
Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Hidden Album
-
iOS 14 to iOS 17
Settings > Photos > Hidden Album
Questions people actually ask
- How do I hide photos on my iPhone?
- Select the photo, tap the share button, then Hide. It moves to the Hidden album, which is locked behind Face ID.
If it is not working
- Hidden is not encryption. Someone with your passcode can open it.
- Hidden photos still sync through iCloud Photos to your other devices.