How to find hidden photos on iPhone

Hidden photos feature on iPhone is the ability to move selected images into a special album that will not be displayed in your media library and other albums. These photos will be hidden from the user, providing an additional level of privacy. This feature can be useful if you want to hide specific photos from prying eyes, but do not want to delete them completely.

The way of searching for hidden pictures on iPhone has nuances that depend on the iOS version. On iOS 15 or older, you’ll need to use the iPhone’s Settings to unhide hidden albums and to find the hidden photos in your gallery. Since iOS 16 this feature is available natively. Are you looking for all the answers? Read this article, and you will learn how to find a hidden album, view and unhide photos, and understand how iCloud handles these images.

Step-by-step guide to finding hidden photos on iPhone

Accessing the hidden album

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.

2. Tap the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Scroll down to the Utilities section and tap on Hidden. The FaceID will activate and authenticate you.

If you have an old version of iOS, the Hidden album will be located under Other Albums rather than Utilities, and you will probably have to unhide hidden albums in the iPhone’s Settings.

Viewing hidden photos

Tap on any photo in the Hidden album to view it in full screen.

Photos are not visible in your main library because they are hidden. This can be useful for both personal and organizational reasons. Regularly reviewing your hidden album will ensure that these photos are protected.

Unhiding photos

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap on Hidden.
4. Choose the photo you want to unhide.
5. When the picture opens in full-screen, tap the three-dot icon and select Unhide in the drop-down menu.
6. Your photo will go back to the Recent album under the Albums section of the Photos app and will not be hidden anymore.

Hidden photos and iCloud

Hidden photos will be saved in iCloud if you enable iCloud Photos in the settings. When iCloud Photos is enabled, all the photos you take on your iPhone will be included in your iCloud backup, even hidden photos. If iCloud Photos is not enabled, all of your photos, not just those in the hidden folder, will not be saved to iCloud.

However, it is important to ensure that iCloud backup is enabled and configured correctly. For more details, refer to Apple’s guide on managing iCloud backups.

What to do if you can’t find hidden photos

Starting in iOS 14, you can disable the Hidden album in the Photos app. So if your iPhone is running iOS 14 or later and you can’t find your hidden photos, first make sure that the Hidden album is enabled. Go to Settings, then Photos, and make sure that Hidden Album is toggled on.

In iOS 16 and newer, it isn’t like that, and your hidden album unlocks with your FaceID.

If your photos are still missing, restart your device or make sure that your software is updated. If the problems persist, contact Apple Support to help resolve any technical issues.

In summary, the Hidden Photos feature on iPhone is a useful tool for maintaining privacy and organizing your photo library. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily locate, view, and unhide your photos as needed. Make sure to manage your iCloud backups to keep your hidden photos safe. Regularly update your iPhone - keeping it updated to the latest versions of iOS is essential to maintaining strong security measures.

If you want to increase the security of your device, use a reliable third-party application such as SafeSpace. SafeSpace: Hidden Photo Vault is a safe and convenient way to hide photos. High-end encryption, no subscription and transparency are the principles we have followed when creating this application.

Please feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments section below!

FAQ

Can I use a passcode to protect the Hidden album?

No, the Hidden album itself cannot be passcode-protected. However, you can use other methods such as Face ID/ Touch ID or you can hide confidential information with the help of a reliable third-party application (SafeSpace, for example).

Are hidden photos included in shared albums?

No, hidden photos are not included in shared albums. They remain private and accessible only through the Hidden album.

How do I ensure my hidden photos are secure?

Regularly review your Hidden album and use strong device security measures like a passcode, Face ID/Touch ID or third-party app.

How to find hidden photos on iPhone if iCloud is enabled?

You can use a PC. Go to icloud.com and log in with your Apple ID and Password. Click on the iCloud Photos icon, then click on the Sidebar and you will see several categories of images, including the Hidden category. Click on it and you will see your hidden photos.

Can I delete photos from the Hidden album?

Yes, you can delete photos from the Hidden album just like you would from any other album. Open the Hidden album, select the photo you want to delete, and choose the Delete Photo option.

How to move photos back to my main library from the Hidden album?

To move photos back to your main library simply make them unhidden. Open the Hidden album, select the photo you want and tap the Share button. Choose Unhide.

Can other apps access hidden photos?

Yes, your hidden photos can be potentially accessed by other apps because these photos remain part of your photo library. Review app permissions regularly and revoke access from any apps that don't need it.