To hide photos on iPhone using iOS 16 and later, tap the three-dot menu and select the Hide option from the list. On iOS 15 and earlier versions, tap the share button and select the Hide option.
How to Hide Photos on iPhone Using the Photos App
The Photos app (Gallery) that comes preinstalled on every iPhone has a built-in feature to hide photos on your iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad). When you use iCloud Photos, any photos you hide are synced across your other devices.
There are two ways to hide photos depending on which version of iOS you are using.
On iOS 16 and Newer
- Select a photo using the Photos app.
- Tap the circled three-dot menu.
- Tap Hide.
- Tap Hide Photo in the confirmation dialog box.
On iOS 15 and Earlier
- Select a photo using the Photos app.
- Tap on the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing upwards).
- Tap on the Hide option at the bottom of the screen.
- In the confirmation screen, tap Hide Photo
Hidden photos are moved to the Hidden album. You can’t view them anywhere else.
To turn off the Hidden album so it doesn’t appear in Albums, go to Settings > Photos, then turn off Hidden Album.
How to Unhide or View Hidden Photos
On iOS 16 and Newer
- In the Photos app, tap the Album tab at the bottom of the screen in the menu bar.
- Swipe down until you see the Hidden option under Utilities. Tap Hidden.
- You’ll need to authenticate using FaceID, TouchID, or entering a passcode.
- Select a photo you’d like to unhide.
- Tap the three dots menu with a circle and select Unhide.
If for some reason your album is not locked, then make sure to go to Settings > Photos, then turn on Use Passcode.
On iOS 15 and Earlier
- In the Photos app, tap the Album tab at the bottom of the screen in the menu bar.
- Swipe down to the Other Albums section and tap Hidden.
- Tap the photo you want to unhide to select it.
- Tap on the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing upwards).
- Tap on the Unhide option at the bottom of the screen.
The photo returns to its original album in Photos where it can be viewed again.
On iOS 15 and earlier, The Hidden photo album can by seen by anyone using your iPhone. The photos in it aren’t protected in any way. Anyone who can access your Photos app, can view the photos in the Hidden album.
