Want to keep some of your photos private on your iPhone? You’re in luck because it’s pretty simple to do. Essentially, you’ll be using the built-in ‘Hide’ feature in the Photos app to tuck those photos away from prying eyes. Let’s dive in and show you how it’s done.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Hide Photos on iPhone
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, understand that by following these steps, you’ll be able to keep select photos out of your Moments, Collections, and Years views, and away from the For You section of the Photos app. These photos will be moved to a special album that’s a bit more discreet.
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your iPhone
Open up the app where all your photos live.
When you open the Photos app, you’ll see all the images you’ve captured or saved on your iPhone. From here, you can browse through and select the ones you want to hide.
Step 2: Select the photo(s) you want to hide
Tap on the photo or photos you’re looking to hide.
Once you’ve found the photo you want to hide, just give it a tap. If you want to hide multiple photos, tap ‘Select’ in the top right corner, then tap on each photo you want to hide.
Step 3: Tap the share button
Look for the box with an upward arrow coming out of it.
This is the button you would normally use to share photos with friends or on social media. But in this case, it’s going to help you hide your photos instead.
Step 4: Choose ‘Hide’ from the share sheet
Scroll if necessary and tap ‘Hide.’
When you hit the share button, a bunch of options will pop up. You might have to scroll a bit to find the ‘Hide’ option. Once you do, give it a tap.
Step 5: Confirm you want to hide the photo(s)
Tap ‘Hide Photo’ to confirm.
Your iPhone will want to make sure you’re sure about hiding these photos. Just confirm your choice, and voila, they’re hidden.
After you’ve completed these steps, the hidden photos will be moved to an album called ‘Hidden’ under the ‘Albums’ tab. They won’t appear in your main library, but they’re still on your phone and can be accessed anytime you want.
Tips for Hiding Photos on iPhone
- If you change your mind, you can unhide photos by going to the ‘Hidden’ album, selecting the photo(s), tapping the share button, and choosing ‘Unhide.’
- Make sure to regularly delete photos from the ‘Recently Deleted’ album as hidden photos will still show up there until they’re permanently deleted.
- Consider using third-party apps for additional privacy features, such as password protection for hidden photos.
- Remember that hiding photos on your iPhone doesn’t remove them from iCloud or other devices where your photos are synced.
- Be mindful that anyone who has access to your iPhone could potentially find your hidden photos if they know where to look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide an entire album on my iPhone?
No, the built-in ‘Hide’ feature only works for individual photos, not entire albums.
Will hidden photos transfer to a new iPhone?
Yes, if you’re using iCloud Photo Library, hidden photos will sync across devices, including a new iPhone.
Can someone see my hidden photos if they steal my iPhone?
If your iPhone is unlocked and the thief knows how to access the ‘Hidden’ album, then yes, they can see the photos.
Are hidden photos removed from iCloud?
No, hiding photos on your iPhone doesn’t affect their status in iCloud.
Can I password-protect the ‘Hidden’ album?
The built-in ‘Hidden’ feature doesn’t allow for password protection, but some third-party photo apps offer this type of security.
Summary
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select the photo(s) you want to hide.
- Tap the share button.
- Choose ‘Hide’ from the share sheet.
- Confirm you want to hide the photo(s).
Conclusion
So there you have it – a straightforward way to keep your private photos away from the main galleries on your iPhone. Remember, while the ‘Hide’ feature is handy, it’s not foolproof. If you’re serious about keeping your photos private, consider additional steps like using third-party apps with encryption and password protection, and always keep your device locked with a secure passcode or biometric lock. With these practices in place, you can snap away with the peace of mind that your personal moments are kept just that – personal. Now go ahead and enjoy all the great features your iPhone has to offer, including the ability to hide photos.
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.