Your iPhone 12 locks hidden photos automatically on iOS 16 and later, so any photo you move to the Hidden album requires Face ID or Touch ID to view and is removed from your main Library, other albums, and the Photos widget. This built-in lock hidden photos iPhone 12 feature works without any third-party app, giving you a private space that stays invisible until you authenticate, which is far more secure than relying on privacy screens and screen locking methods alone.
Your iPhone 12 Already Locks Hidden Photos
On iOS 16 and later, Apple changed how the Hidden album works. Hidden photos are moved out of your Library, out of other albums, and out of the Photos widget on your Home Screen. Hidden photos do not appear in the Photos widget on the Home Screen. The Hidden album itself is locked by default, meaning you must authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID to open it. This is automatic, there is no setting to enable the lock, and it applies to your iPhone 12 as long as you are running iOS 16 or newer. The Hidden album can be turned off on iOS 14 and later, while the lock is automatic on iOS 16 and later. The Hidden album lock requirement is documented for iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura and later.
How to Hide a Photo on iPhone 12
There are two verified ways to move a photo or video into the Hidden album on your iPhone 12. Both methods work for single items or multiple selections.
- Open the Photos app and select the photo or video you want to hide.
- Tap the share icon (the square with an upward arrow) and choose Hide, then confirm.
Alternatively, you can tap and hold the photo or video, then tap Hide and confirm. The selected item immediately disappears from your main Library and other albums, and it now sits inside the locked Hidden album.
How to View Your Locked Hidden Photos
To see your hidden photos, you need to navigate to the Hidden album and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Open the Photos app and tap the Albums tab at the bottom.
- Scroll down to the Utilities section and tap Hidden.
- Tap View Album, then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
Once authenticated, you can browse all photos and videos you have hidden. The lock is enforced every time you open the Hidden album, so even if someone else has your phone, they cannot see the contents without your face or fingerprint.
How to Unhide a Photo
If you want to move a photo back to your main Library, the process is just as simple.
- Open the Hidden album and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Select the photo or video you want to restore.
- Tap the More button (the three dots) and choose Unhide.
The photo immediately reappears in your Library, other albums, and the Photos widget. Hidden photos that you do not unhide stay locked and out of sight.
How to Make the Hidden Album Completely Invisible
If you want to go a step further, you can hide the Hidden album itself from the Photos app. Apple documents that turning off the Show Hidden Album setting makes hidden photos “completely hidden” because the album no longer appears anywhere in Photos.
- Open Settings on your iPhone 12.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Photos.
- Switch off Show Hidden Album.
After this, the Hidden album disappears from the Utilities section entirely. If you turn off Show Hidden Album, any hidden photos and videos stay hidden in the app. Your hidden photos and videos remain stored and locked, but there is no visible entry point in the Photos app. To view them again, you would need to re-enable the same setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does locking hidden photos work on all iPhone 12 models?
Yes, the Hidden album lock works on every iPhone 12 model, mini, standard, Pro, and Pro Max, as long as the device runs iOS 16 or later. There is no separate hardware restriction beyond the operating system version.
What happens if I turn off Show Hidden Album?
Turning off Show Hidden Album removes the Hidden album from the Photos app, and your hidden photos stay hidden. They are not deleted, and they remain locked by Face ID or Touch ID if you re-enable the album later.
How is this different from Google Photos Locked Folder or Samsung Secure Folder?
Google Photos on Android offers a Locked Folder protected by your device screen lock, and Samsung devices offer Secure Folder for hiding files and apps, including photos. On Samsung devices, you can hide the Secure Folder icon by going to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder, then turning off Add Secure Folder to Apps screen and confirming Hide. Samsung Secure Folder allows adjusting Auto lock Secure Folder in Settings inside Secure Folder. On your iPhone 12, the Hidden album is built into iOS and requires no separate app or setup beyond the automatic lock.
Can I hide videos in the same way?
Yes, the same Hide action works for both photos and videos. Videos moved to the Hidden album are locked, removed from your Library and other albums, and require Face ID or Touch ID to view.
