# How to hide photos on iPhone > Hide photos on iPhone: open the photo, tap ••• › Hide. 3 taps. To hide from someone who knows your passcode, use a locked note or a vault. 5 ways compared. Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou Free guide · 5 methods · every iPhone Hiding from a quick glance takes one tap. Hiding from someone who knows your passcode takes more. Choose the method that fits who you're hiding from. **Quick answer:** To hide a photo on iPhone, open it in **Photos**, tap **••• › Hide**, then **Hide Photo**. It takes 3 taps and moves the photo to the locked Hidden album. Anyone who knows your passcode can still open it; for that, use a **locked note** or a **vault app**. ![iPhone photo menu with the Hide option highlighted](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/home.png) Start here ## Who are you hiding photos from? Tap the closest match. The best method changes with the person. Parents: Best fit Vault app (VaultForYou) Keeps the photos you choose in a vault outside the Photos app, opened only by a pattern you draw. Best built-in option: [**Locked note**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/). See the full plan A partner or ex: Best fit Vault app (VaultForYou) Keeps the photos you choose in a vault outside the Photos app, opened only by a pattern you draw. Best built-in option: [**Locked note**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/). See the full plan Kids: Best fit Locked note Puts photos inside a note locked with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode. Best built-in option: [**Locked note**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/). See the full plan Friends borrowing your phone: Best fit Hide button Moves the photo out of your library, albums and the Photos widget into the Hidden album. Best built-in option: [**Hide button**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/). See the full plan Coworkers and screen sharing: Best fit Hide button Moves the photo out of your library, albums and the Photos widget into the Hidden album. Best built-in option: [**Hide button**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/). See the full plan Someone who knows your passcode: Best fit Vault app (VaultForYou) Keeps the photos you choose in a vault outside the Photos app, opened only by a pattern you draw. Best built-in option: [**Locked note**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/). See the full plan People sharing your Apple Account: Best fit Locked note Puts photos inside a note locked with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode. Best built-in option: [**Locked note**](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/). See the full plan 3 taps ## The fastest way: the Hide button 1. **Open the photo.** Open **Photos** and tap the photo or video you want to hide. 2. **Tap ••• then Hide.** Tap the **More** button (•••) at the top right, then tap **Hide**. You can also touch and hold a photo in the grid. 3. **Confirm.** Tap **Hide Photo** (or Hide Video). It moves to the Hidden album, which opens with Face ID or your passcode. - **Library**Removed - **Albums**Removed - **Photos widget**Removed - **Your passcode**Still opens Hidden 5 methods ## From a quick hide to a real vault Each level keeps out more people than the one before. - [Hide buttonMoves the photo out of your library, albums and the Photos widget into the Hidden album.Level 1 · Built in](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/) - [Hide the Hidden albumHides your photos first, then removes the Hidden album itself from Utilities in Photos.Level 2 · Built in](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/) - [Locked notePuts photos inside a note locked with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode.Level 3 · Built in](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/) - [Lock the Photos appMakes the whole Photos app ask for Face ID before it opens. iOS 18 and later.Level 2 · Built in](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/) - [Vault app (VaultForYou)Keeps the photos you choose in a vault outside the Photos app, opened only by a pattern you draw.Level 4 · App](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/) **Which people each method keeps out. We make VaultForYou, so weigh it accordingly.** | Method | A quick look | Phone handed over | Knows your passcode | Shares your Apple Account | Makes you unlock | Video | Level | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 1 out of 4 | | [Hide the Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 2 out of 4 | | [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 out of 4 | | [Lock the Photos app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/) | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 2 out of 4 | | [Vault app (VaultForYou)](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 out of 4 | > Hide it from everyone, passcode includedVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. Several vaults, each with its own pattern Decoy vault for a duress pattern No account, no ads [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later Your iPhone ## Which methods work on your iPhone? Older iPhones can't lock the Hidden album or the Photos app. Pick yours. Before you rely on it ## 3 slip-ups that undo your hiding | Slip-up | Why it matters | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | Leaving Recently Deleted full | Deleted originals wait there for 30 days | Empty it after moving photos to a note or vault | | Handing over an unlocked phone | Hidden opens with your passcode; iOS 14–15 have no lock | Use Guided Access or a separate lock | | Thinking hidden means gone | Hidden photos still sync and use storage | Delete what you don't need | What to hide ## Videos, screenshots, albums - [Hide videos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/content/videos/) - [Hide screenshots](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/content/screenshots/) - [Hide a whole album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/content/albums/) - [Hide Live Photos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/content/live-photos/) Questions ## Hiding photos, answered ### How do I hide photos on iPhone? Open the photo in Photos, tap the More button (•••), tap Hide, then Hide Photo. It moves out of your library into the Hidden album under Utilities, which is locked with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode on iOS 16 and later. ### How do I hide pictures on iPhone without an app? Use the built-in Hide button, then turn off Show Hidden Album in Settings › Apps › Photos so even the album disappears. For a separate password, put a few photos in a locked note in the Notes app. None of these need a download. ### Can I hide photos on iPhone with a password? The Hidden album uses Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode, not its own password. A locked note can use a separate notes password. A vault app uses its own lock; VaultForYou uses a pattern you draw. ### How do I hide photos from someone who knows my passcode? Use a lock that isn't your passcode: a locked note with a custom notes password, or a vault app. The Hidden album and Require Face ID both accept your passcode, so they won't keep that person out. ### Can I hide the Photos app itself? No. Built-in apps like Photos can't be hidden. On iOS 18 and later you can lock it: touch and hold the Photos icon and tap Require Face ID. Only App Store apps can be hidden in App Library. ### Do hidden photos stay hidden on my other devices? Yes, with iCloud Photos on. A photo hidden on your iPhone is hidden on your iPad, Mac and iCloud.com too. Anyone signed in to your Apple Account on those devices can open the Hidden album there. ### Does hiding photos free up storage? No. Hidden photos use the same space on your iPhone and in iCloud. To free space, delete them; they stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days first. > A lock that isn't your iPhone passcodeVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later