How to Hide Photos on iPhone

These days, privacy is on everyone’s mind. Many people choose the iPhone because Apple strongly promotes privacy. Many of us use our iPhone as our primary camera, taking hundreds of photos a year. But how safe are those photos, and what would happen if someone gained access to our most private, sensitive photos?

iPhone offers several ways to protect and secure photos: adding them to secret folders on iPhone, hiding those folders from the Photos app, and securing them within other apps like Notes or Messages. Although these built-in options are available, you should consider third-party options for even better privacy and security.

Use this guide to learn how to hide photos on iPhone in different ways. It includes tips, step-by-step instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions about how to hide pics on iPhone.

Using Built-in Features to Hide Photos on iPhone - Step-by-Step Guide

iPhone has some very handy built-in features that allow you to hide photos on iPhone. You can do this in a few different ways.

Using the Photos App

The Photos app makes it easy to organize, view, arrange, and share photos with others. But unless you create secret photo albums, anyone viewing your photos can see them all. Follow the steps below to create a private picture album on iPhone to secure your sensitive photos.

How to Make Photo Album Private on iPhone

1. Open the Photos app on iPhone.
2. Click the “Select” button at the top right corner to select all the photos you want to add to your hidden album.
3. Tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right of your screen. If you select only one photo, the three-dot menu will appear at the top right.
4. Tap “Hide”.
5. Tap the red Hide Photos confirmation message (it will show the number of photos you selected).
6. Your selected photos will be added to your hidden album.

How to Access and Unhide Photos from the Hidden Album

1. Open the Photos app on iPhone.
2. Tap Albums from the bottom menu.
3. Scroll down to the bottom under “Utilities” and choose Hidden.
4. You must unlock it using Face ID or Touch ID, depending on how your iPhone is set up.

If you want to unhide photos in your hidden album:

1. Inside the Hidden album, click the photo(s) you want to unhide.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap “Unhide.”
4. The hidden photos will be restored to your regular Photos library.

You can even hide your Hidden folder so anyone in your Photos app won’t see it. To do so:

1. Go to Settings on iPhone.
2. Scroll down to the Photos app and select it.
3. Scroll to the “Show Hidden Album” setting and toggle it off.
4. Now, it will not appear in the Photos app’s Utilities section. To turn it back on, do the same three steps above and toggle it back on.

Is iPhone’s “Hidden” Album Safe?

If your significant other knows your password, and studies show that 62% of them do, they could easily view your private photos or even delete them without your knowledge, even if you have them hidden. Sixty-six percent of people say they don’t trust their partner to use their phone, and 72% of men would not let their special someone touch their iPhone.

Another issue is when you send your iPhone in for repair. Once you provide access, the technician can see all your private stuff. According to a new study, this happens 50% of the time, especially if the customer is female! The scary part is that these technicians who spy usually seek out the most personal and private photos and videos. Some even copy them for personal use.

The sad part is when you realize this has happened, the damage is already done. A dedicated photo vault with proper encryption could help you avoid these issues.

Using Notes App

You can also lock photos inside the Notes app, which are encrypted with a passcode. This is more secure but also a hassle. To do this:

1. In the Photos app on iPhone, select the photo you want to hide.
2. Tap the Share icon at the bottom left of the screen.
3. Scroll to the right until you see the “Notes app” and Tap this.
4. Choose the note you want to save to or create a new one.
5. Type in optional text, and tap Save at the top right.
6. Open Notes and the note with the image in it.
7. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and tap the “Lock”.
8. Choose “Use iPhone Passcode” or “Create a Separate Password” for the locked note.
9. Tap the lock icon at the top of the screen to lock. You will see the message “This note is locked.” Tap “View note” to unlock and view.
10. Once locked, return to Photos and delete the original photo.
11. You can view your locked note by clicking it and entering the passcode.

Third-party Apps for Hiding Photos

An even better option than using the built-in features is third-party apps for hiding photos on iPhone. Keep reading to learn more about the features and how to hide photos using some of the best photo-hiding apps for iPhone.

How to Hide Pictures on iPhone Using Third-Party Apps

Private Photo Vault

Private Photo Vault is a photo hider app people use to secure their most intimate photos. It offers standard features, including a private camera, a lock for pictures and videos, a fake password to fool intruders, and a break-in report. The downside is that the app collects a lot of data about you, including purchases, identifiers, user content, user data, and diagnostics, so if security is your main concern, you may want to pass on this one.

After installing it, you must set a passcode to hide your photos using Private Photo Vault. Private Photo Vault does not block ads; it’s unclear how the files are stored on their server, so you cannot be sure you won’t lose your stuff, the app lacks encryption, and you must pay a monthly subscription to use it.

KeepSafe

KeepSafe Photo Vault is another photo vault app available in the App Store. After installing, you must create an account or log in. Some features include PIN-protected photos, military-grade encryption, and an easy-to-use interface. However, the App Store warns that this app may track your usage data and other details about you. Although KeepSafe is convenient and available on all platforms, it’s impossible to verify their claims about encryption, given the files are stored on their server, and it lacks a clear description of how encryption is used.

SafeSpace: Hidden Photo Vault

SafeSpace: Hidden Photo Vault is one of the most secure and convenient photo-hiding apps. It offers transparent file storage and high-end encryption, and users can easily verify where their files are stored and how they are encrypted. SafeSpace also offers a fake gallery and a private browser with a built-in ad blocker within the app.

Another huge benefit is SafeSpace’s “zero knowledge secure sharing” feature. All your files are fully protected by encryption and are only available to the recipient if they have a secret password. It’s as convenient as sending normal photos through Messenger but with an additional layer of protection.

SafeSpace never collects any data about you or serves up annoying ads. If an app has built-in ads, it is most likely collecting data about you and selling it to other companies. We care deeply about your privacy and never collect information or sell anything about you.

The app also includes a completely private browser with bookmarks. The bookmarks and history are fully encrypted, meaning even if someone gains access to your phone, they can’t see your browsing history.

A standout feature of SafeSpace is its lack of subscriptions! Due to its clever technical design, SafeSpace is the only photo vault app that relies on a single purchase. You pay once ($19.99) and own it forever! You don’t have to worry about expensive subscriptions or in-app payments.

Try SafeSpace Today If you have wondered, “What are the best third-party apps for hiding photos on iPhone?” Look no further. Compare the apps above to find the best option for you. If you want to keep prying eyes away from your sensitive information, check out SafeSpace. It offers the highest level of privacy and security and deters anyone from looking any further for your secret stuff. Plus, it offers bonus features like a private browser and ad blocker to enhance your privacy further.

Try it for FREE today. It’s only $19.99 for life if you want to purchase it!

FAQ

Can I lock the hidden photo album on my iPhone?

The hidden photos album on iPhone is locked by default, but you can unlock it using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

Are third-party photo vault apps safe?

Not all third-party photo vault apps are the same. Only trust those with encryption that do not collect any data and offer private browsing and sharing.

How do I back up my hidden photos securely?

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name. Then, tap on iCloud and then Photos. Toggle “Sync this iPhone” to back up all your photos, including hidden albums, to iCloud.

How do you keep photos private on iPhone?

You can keep your photos and files private by using iOS’s built-in features or installing a third-party privacy/security app.

How do I ensure my hidden photos are secure?

To be sure, only use a hidden photo vault that encrypts your photos and doesn’t collect any personal data.

Are there any tips for managing hidden photos on iPhone?

After moving photos into Notes, delete the original image from the Photos app. As an additional layer of security, go into Settings and turn off the Hidden album so it doesn’t appear anywhere in Photos.