The iPhone comes with a built-in Hidden Album iPhone feature that allows you to hide your videos an photos from the main gallery.
However, the hidden album is not password-protected, which means anyone who knows where to look can still access it.
That’s why you may need a stronger solution, like a third-party app.
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What is the Hidden Album Feature?

The Hidden Album on iPhone is a place where you can store and hide photo or video you want to keep away from the main photo stream.
It’s useful for keeping your private images separate from the rest, but it’s not entirely foolproof because anyone who knows how to find it can still view your hidden files.
How to Use the Hidden Album on iPhone
Here’s how to hide a photo using the Hidden Photo Album feature:
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo or video you want to hide.
- Tap the Share button.
- Scroll down and tap Hide.
- Confirm by tapping Hide Photo.
The photo will move to your Hidden Photo Album, which can be accessed through the other Albums tab.
Why Locker: Photo Vault is a Better Solution
While the Hidden Photo Album is a simple way to keep and hide photos out of your main gallery, it’s not very secure.
That’s where apps like Locker: Photo Vault come in. Locker: Photo Vault lets you password-protect your hidden photos on iPhone, adding an extra layer of security.
Here are some benefits of using Locker: Photo Vault:
- Password protection: You can secure your photos with a password or biometric login, making it nearly impossible for others to access them without permission.
- File encryption: The app encrypts your files, providing enhanced privacy.
- Organized albums: Locker: Photo Vault allows you to create multiple albums within the app to organize your hidden photos more effectively.
- Private browsing: Some versions even offer a private browser that doesn’t save your history.
Locker: Photo Vault is especially useful if you have sensitive documents or personal photos that you don’t want anyone else to see.
The app is easy to use and provides better security than iPhone’s Hidden Photos feature.
How to Set Up Locker: Photo Vault on Your iPhone

Here’s a quick guide on setting up Locker: Photo Vault:
- Download Locker: Photo Vault from the App Store.
- Open the app and set up a passcode or biometric login (Face ID or Touch ID).
- Import the photos and videos you want to hide.
- Organize them into albums within the app.
- Relax knowing your private photos are safely protected.
Now let’s look at other ways to hide photos on your iPhone.
Other Methods for Hiding Pictures on iPhone

Aside from using the Hidden Photos feature and Locker: Photo Vault, there are a few other ways you can protect your private images.
1. Notes App with Lock
Did you know you can use the Notes app to lock photos? Here’s how it works:
- Open the Photos app and select the image.
- Share the main photo library to the Notes app.
- Once saved in Notes, go to the note and tap the Lock icon.
- You’ll be prompted to set a password for the note.
This method is handy but can be a bit clunky. Unlike Locker: Photo Vault, it doesn’t offer easy organization or encryption.
2. Third-Party Photo Hiding Apps
There are other apps aside from Locker: Photo Vault that you can use to hide photos.
Some popular options include KeepSafe and Private Photo Vault. These apps also offer password protection and encryption.
Let’s compare these methods in a table:
Method | Password Protection | File Encryption | Easy Organization | Free/Paid |
Hidden Photos (iPhone) | No | No | No | Free |
Locker: Photo Vault | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
Notes App with Lock | Yes | No | No | Free |
KeepSafe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
Private Photo Vault | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
As you can see, Locker: Photo Vault stands out for offering both password protection and file encryption, making it one of the best options.
How to Find Hidden Photos
If you want to access your Hidden Photos on iPhone, here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap the Albums tab at the bottom.
- Scroll down until you see the Hidden section.
You can also choose to make the Hidden Photos invisible in the Photos app. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Photos.
- Toggle off the Hidden Album option.
Now, the Hidden Photos will not appear in the Albums tab. To access it again, just toggle it back on.
Best Practices for Hiding Photos
Here are some tips for hiding your personal photos on your iPhone safely:
- Use a secure app like Locker: Photo Vault for sensitive photos.
- Avoid sharing personal images over public Wi-Fi.
- Always use a strong password for any app you choose to hide or unhide photos in.
- If you have iCloud, make sure to disable photo library backups for hidden photos.
Conclusion
While the Hidden Album iPhone is a nice feature for keeping things out of view, it’s not enough if you’re really serious about privacy.
If you’re storing anything sensitive, you need a stronger solution like Locker: Photo Vault.
This app gives you all the protection the iPhone’s Hidden Photos lacks – passwords, encryption, and a private space that only you can access.
Having control over your private data is essential, and with the right tools, you can easily protect your personal photos on your iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my hidden album on my iPhone?
To find Hidden Photos, you need to follow these simple steps:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap on the Albums at the bottom.
- Scroll down to find Hidden Photos.
If the Hidden Photos Album isn’t visible, don’t worry. You might have it disabled in your settings. Just go to Settings, tap Photos, and toggle on Hidden Photos to make it appear again.
But remember, while the iPhone’s Hidden Photos feature hide a photo from the main view, it’s not fully secure.
Anyone who knows where to look can still access it. That’s why using an app like Locker: Photo Vault is a much better option.
What is the point of hidden album on iPhone?
The Hidden Album is meant to keep certain iPhone photos on your iPhone out of your main gallery.
It’s useful for photos you don’t want popping up when you’re scrolling through your pictures or sharing your screen with someone.
However, the iPhone’s Hidden Photos Album isn’t password-protected, so it’s not really private. If you’re looking for a more secure option, you should try Locker: Photo Vault.
This app lets you lock your photos on your iPhone with a password or even your fingerprint, giving you real privacy.
Why is my hidden album not showing up?
If your Hidden Album isn’t showing up, it’s probably turned off in your settings. You can easily fix this:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Photos.
- Toggle on the Hidden Album option.
Once you do this, your Hidden Photo Albums or hidden files will reappear under the Albums tab in your Photos app.
But again, keep in mind that the Hidden Album is more about convenience than security.
For better privacy, Locker: Photo Vault is the way to go. It ensures that your hidden photos on your iPhone stay hidden, with extra layers of protection that the built-in iPhone feature doesn’t provide.
How do I add to a hidden album?
To add a photo to the Hidden Album, follow these steps:
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo or video you want to hide a photo.
- Tap the Share button.
- Scroll down and tap Hide.
- Confirm by tapping Hide a Photo.