Hiding a photo removes it from the main Photos views and places it in the Hidden album. On recent iOS versions, that album can be protected with Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode, but hidden photos are still stored and synced like other library items.
This applies to iOS 14 or later. Locked Hidden and Recently Deleted albums require iOS 16 or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want private, sensitive, or simply distracting photos out of Recents and the main library grid without deleting them.
Hide One or More Photos
- Open Photos.
- For one photo, open it, tap the three-dot menu, choose Hide, and confirm.
- For multiple photos, tap Select, choose the photos, tap the three-dot menu, choose Hide, and confirm.
- The selected photos disappear from main Photos, Recents, and normal album views.
- To view them, open Albums, scroll to Utilities, and tap Hidden.
Confirm the Hidden Album Is Locked
- Open Settings.
- Tap Photos.
- Make sure Use Face ID or Use Touch ID is enabled.
- Open Photos > Albums > Hidden and confirm it asks for authentication.
- To unhide a photo, authenticate, select the photo, open the menu, and choose Unhide.
Important Limits
Storage and iCloud
Hidden photos still use iPhone and iCloud storage. If you actually want them gone, delete them and then manage Recently Deleted.
Memories, Search, and Sharing
Hidden mainly affects the main library and default album views. Photos may still be discoverable in some search, Memories, or shared contexts depending on how they were used.
Shared Photo Libraries
If a photo is part of an iCloud Shared Photo Library, hiding it affects your own view. It does not necessarily hide it from other people with access to the shared library.
For More Sensitive Items
For information that should be more tightly protected, consider moving it outside Photos, such as into a locked note or another app with its own security controls.
Sources
- Apple Support: Hide photos and videos on iPhone
- Apple Support: Lock Hidden and Recently Deleted albums
- Apple Support: Delete photos and videos on iPhone