You can make a locked album on iPhone by using the built-in Hidden album, which is automatically locked behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode on iOS 16 and later. This native feature lets you hide private photos and videos without needing any third-party apps or workarounds, keeping them secure and out of sight from your main library.
What is the locked album on iPhone?
The locked album on iPhone is Apple's built-in Hidden album, introduced as a locked-by-default feature with iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura. When you move photos or videos into this album, they are protected by your device's authentication method, Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode, so only you can view them. This feature is ideal for keeping private images secure without relying on third-party apps, and it integrates seamlessly with your Photos app for managing and transferring photos across your devices.
How to hide photos in the locked album
To hide photos or videos in the locked album, open the Photos app and select the items you want to secure. Tap the More button (three dots), then tap Hide. Confirm your selection by tapping Hide Photo or Hide [number] Photos. Once hidden, the items move to the Hidden album and disappear from your main library, other albums, and the Photos widget on your Home Screen. Hidden photos are excluded from the Photos widget on your Home Screen.
Where to find the locked album
Navigate to the Photos app, tap the Albums tab, and scroll down to the Utilities section. Tap Hidden to open the locked album. On iOS 16 and later, Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode is required to unlock and view its contents, ensuring that even if someone sees the album name, they cannot access your hidden media.
How to make sure the Hidden album is locked
Go to Settings > Photos and verify that Use Face ID (or Use Touch ID or Use Passcode) is toggled on. This setting ensures the Hidden album remains locked by default. Even if you enable Show Hidden Album in Settings, the album still requires authentication to open on iOS 16 and later, so your private photos stay protected regardless of visibility.
How to unhide photos from the locked album
Open the Hidden album, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode, then select the photos you want to restore. To unhide photos, you must first authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode to open the Hidden album. Tap the More button (three dots) and tap Unhide. The photos return to your main photo library and become visible again in all albums and widgets.
How the locked album works with iCloud
If you use iCloud Photos, hiding a photo on one device hides it on all Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID. This means your locked album stays consistent across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, giving you a unified way to protect private media without manually syncing settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a separate locked album instead of using the Hidden album?
No, Apple's native solution only uses the Hidden album for locking photos and videos. You cannot create additional locked albums within the Photos app; third-party apps are required for that, but they lack the same system-level integration and authentication.
Will hidden photos still appear in search results?
No, hidden photos are excluded from the main library and search results within the Photos app. However, they may still appear in other apps that access your photo library unless those apps respect the Hidden album status.
Can I hide photos without them being visible in the Hidden album list?
No, the Hidden album is the only location for locked items, and it appears in the Utilities section. While the album itself is locked, the album name is visible unless you disable Show Hidden Album in Settings > Photos.
Does the locked album work on older iOS versions?
No, the Hidden album is only locked by default on iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura or later. On earlier iOS versions (before iOS 16), the Hidden album exists but is not password-protected, so anyone with access to your device can view its contents.
What happens to hidden photos if I restore my iPhone from a backup?
Hidden photos are included in iCloud and iTunes backups. After restoring, they remain in the Hidden album and still require authentication to access, provided you are running iOS 16 or later.
