I’m trying to organize my photo album on my iPhone and need to hide specific pictures for privacy. I’ve looked around but haven’t found a clear way to do it. Can anyone help me figure this out quickly? Need guidance on the steps to take.
Oh, hiding photos on an iPhone? Apple keeps things simple but kinda makes you do a scavenger hunt at the same time. Here’s the deal:
- Open the Photos app.
- Find the photo(s) you wanna hide—don’t act like we don’t know
- Tap the little Share button (square with an arrow).
- Scroll down and BOOM, ‘Hide’ is sitting there, probably chillin’ where you never thought to look. Tap it.
Now your pics head over to the Hidden Album. BUT WAIT—the ‘Hidden’ album isn’t really hidden, it’s just labeled that way, because it’s lurking under Albums > Utilities. Anyone snooping can literally still see it if they click. Smh, Apple. 
To make the album REALLY ‘hidden,’ go to:
Settings > Photos > Turn off ‘Show Hidden Album’
Now it ghosts completely from the Photos app… unless someone knows where to look in settings. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
If you’re needing some serious privacy, though, you might want to look into third-party apps with password protection instead. Apple’s version is more like putting a Post-it note that says “Don’t look” on a box of secrets. 
Alright, so here’s the deal: Apple’s method for hiding photos? Yeah, it’s like putting a “Keep Out” sign on a door but leaving it unlocked. I saw @cazadordeestrellas’ instructions—and they’re not wrong—but let’s dabble in alternatives instead of pretending the “Hidden Album” is Fort Knox.
First off, if you want something more airtight (and less… accessible), you can use Notes. Yep, Notes. Weird, right? Here’s how:
- Open the photo you want to hide in the Photos app.
- Share it to the Notes app.
- Once it’s in Notes, delete it entirely from your Photos.
- To lock the note: go to the Notes app, swipe left on the note, tap the little lock icon, and set a password. Boom, actual privacy.
But wait, here’s where I differ slightly from the previous advice. If we’re being real, Apple’s built-in stuff just doesn’t cut it for real secrets. Want better security? Use apps like Keepsafe or Private Photo Vault. They encrypt your pics and slap on a passcode. Who’s breaking into that? Nobody (unless they guess your dog’s name… don’t use your dog’s name).
Also, one thing to keep in mind: deleted photos stay in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. Do a sweep there, because nothing says “I’m not hiding anything” like leaving sensitive pics in plain sight waiting to be restored.
TL;DR: Don’t trust Apple’s Hidden Album unless you enjoy living dangerously. Notes is quirky but works in a pinch, and third-party apps are your real MVPs. Otherwise, you’re just playing hide-and-seek with zero challenge.
Here’s the deal—while the Steps-to-Hide-Photos 101 given above works (props to @vrijheidsvogel and @cazadordeestrellas for breaking that down), those solutions still feel a bit, well, meh to me. Let me toss a couple of alternate ideas your way, and maybe you’ll find something more rock-solid.
Option 1: File Apps Instead of Photos App (Underrated Move)
You can bypass the Photos app entirely. Drop those spicy pics into the Files app instead—a more stealth approach:
- Select your photo(s) in the Photos app.
- Tap Share > Save to Files.
- Choose a location (iCloud, On My iPhone, or even create a secret folder).
- Delete the original photo from Photos (and from Recently Deleted, always double-check here).
PRO TIP: While Files isn’t password-protected by default, a location like ‘On My iPhone’ is less obvious than a “Hidden Album” chilling in Utilities. Bonus: no third-party apps needed.
Option 2: Lock WITHIN Third-Party Cloud Platforms
You thinking Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive? Yep, they allow you to store pics in more of a “vault style” if you set file-level or app-level locks (e.g., Face ID or passcodes for access). The upside: They look less suspicious than a secretive photo app named “Private Vault.” The downside: If you’re not already using one of these, it adds another service to juggle.
Option 3: DIY Folder Encryption
Feeling adventurous or tech-savvy? You can encrypt your photos manually by zipping them with password protection using tools like iZip or WinZip on iOS. Might feel like overkill, but hey, security-first, right? Once zipped, transfer the file wherever you want (files app, cloud, etc.). Trust me, any targeted snooper would need FBI-level decryption.
Now for the Mini Rant…
Let’s be real here, Apple’s idea of “hiding” is half-baked at best. I appreciate the diligence @cazadordeestrellas showed with the Notes workaround—it’s a clever hack. However, NO ONE should have to jump through 14 hoops just for basic privacy! Seriously, Apple, put a proper vault into IOS instead of this lame “Hidden’ album that’s practically a flashing sign. But hey, innovation, right?
TL;DR Alternatives Comparison:
- Apple’s Built-In Hidden Album: Convenient, but obvious to find without extra settings tweaks.
- Third-party apps like Keepsafe or Private Photo Vault: Better privacy, but external apps can collect user data.
- Files App: Simple and local but no inherent password; pair with device-lock.
- Cloud Services (e.g., Google Drive): Good encryption; dependent on connectivity/app layer.
- ZIP Encryption: Geeky but safe. Icon screams “important,” though.
Bottom line? Skip Apple’s Hidden Album unless you’re protecting memes. If you want real security, lock it down with third-party vault apps. But if vibes like “I just don’t trust apps” speak to you, the Files app is a lesser-known gem. Now go forth and secure your secrets!