Hiding photos on your iPhone 12 is a simple task that keeps your private moments away from prying eyes. With a few taps, you can secure those photos in a hidden album. You won’t need any third-party apps, as the built-in options from Apple are sufficient and easy to use. So, let’s keep those personal photos private, shall we?
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Hide Photos on iPhone 12
Before we dive into the steps, it’s worth noting that hiding photos on your iPhone 12 is a great way to maintain your privacy. Whether you’re showing someone pictures in your gallery or lending them your phone, you won’t have to worry about personal photos popping up.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Open the Photos app on your iPhone 12 to begin the process.
The Photos app is where all your images are stored. It’s the colorful icon that looks like a flower. Tap it to open your photo library.
Step 2: Select the Photo(s) You Want to Hide
Tap “Select” in the top right corner, then choose the photos you wish to hide.
You can select multiple photos by tapping on them one by one. A blue checkmark will appear on the selected photos.
Step 3: Tap the Share Button
After selecting your photos, tap the share button at the bottom left corner of the screen.
The share button looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards. This will open up a menu with different options.
Step 4: Choose ‘Hide’ from the Share Sheet
In the share sheet, scroll down until you find the ‘Hide’ option and tap it.
The ‘Hide’ option may be located near the bottom, so you might need to scroll a bit to find it. It will have an icon that looks like an eye with a line through it.
Step 5: Confirm by Tapping ‘Hide Photo’
A dialogue box will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to hide the photo(s). Confirm by tapping “Hide Photo.”
By confirming, the selected photos will be moved to a hidden album, which is not visible in the main photos library.
After you’ve completed these steps, the photos you selected will no longer be visible in your main camera roll or albums. They’re tucked away in a special ‘Hidden’ album, which you can find by going into your albums and scrolling all the way down. You can rest easy knowing that your privacy is protected.
Tips for Hiding Photos on iPhone 12
- If you change your mind, you can unhide photos by following similar steps and selecting ‘Unhide’.
- The ‘Hidden’ album is not password protected. Anyone who knows where to look can still access these photos.
- Consider using additional security measures, like Face ID or a passcode, to secure your entire device.
- Remember that hidden photos will still show up in search results and other places in the Photos app.
- Regularly manage your hidden album to ensure it only contains photos you truly want to keep private.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my hidden photos?
Go to the Albums tab in the Photos app and scroll down to find the ‘Hidden’ album.
Can I hide entire albums?
No, you cannot hide entire albums. You can only hide individual photos.
Will hidden photos be included in iCloud backups?
Yes, hidden photos are included in iCloud backups.
Can I hide videos the same way I hide photos?
Yes, the process for hiding videos is the same as for photos.
Is there a way to password-protect the hidden album?
Unfortunately, there is no built-in way to password-protect the hidden album on iPhone 12.
Summary
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo(s) you want to hide.
- Tap the share button.
- Choose ‘Hide’ from the share sheet.
- Confirm by tapping ‘Hide Photo’.
Conclusion
Hiding photos on your iPhone 12 is a breeze, and it’s a great way to keep your private memories just that—private. Whether you’re safeguarding personal photos or simply tidying up your gallery, the ability to hide photos is a handy feature. Just remember, while the photos may be out of sight, they’re not entirely out of reach, so always ensure your device is secured with a passcode or biometric authentication for added protection.
Keep in mind that hiding photos is not the same as deleting them. If you’re looking to free up space on your phone or permanently remove images, you’ll need to take additional steps. Also, remember that while hidden photos are not visible in your main albums, they can still appear in search results or other areas of your Photos app.
For those who need even more security, third-party apps offer password protection and encryption for your photos. But for most users, the simple hide feature on the iPhone 12 is more than enough to keep those personal photos out of unwanted viewings.
So, go ahead and hide away those photos with confidence. And if you ever need to, retrieving and unhiding them is just as easy. Happy photo managing!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.