Hiding photos on your iPhone can be a simple task if done correctly. In just a few steps, you can ensure that your personal or sensitive photos are kept away from prying eyes. Whether you’re trying to keep a surprise party a secret or just value your privacy, knowing how to hide your photos is a handy skill.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Hide Photos on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to know that hiding your photos will move them to a hidden album, which is still accessible but not in the main photo feed.
Step 1: Open the Photos app
Open the Photos app on your iPhone where all your images are stored.
The Photos app is the default picture storage app on your iPhone and can be found on your home screen or app library.
Step 2: Select the photo(s) you want to hide
Tap on ‘Select’ in the top right corner and choose the photo(s) you wish to hide.
You can select multiple photos by tapping on them. A blue checkmark will appear on each selected photo.
Step 3: Tap on the share button
After selecting your photos, tap on the share button, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.
The share button is located at the bottom left of your screen and opens various options for what you can do with your selected photos.
Step 4: Scroll down and choose ‘Hide’
In the share menu, scroll down until you find the ‘Hide’ option and tap on it.
This action will prompt a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to hide the photo(s).
Step 5: Confirm by tapping ‘Hide Photo’
To finalize the process, tap ‘Hide Photo’ on the confirmation message.
Your selected photos are now moved to the hidden album and will no longer appear in your main photo feed.
After completing these steps, your photos will be moved to a hidden album within the Photos app. While they aren’t completely invisible, they are tucked away from your main photo feed. Remember, anyone who knows how to access the hidden album will still be able to see the photos, so ensure that your phone is secured with a passcode or biometric lock.
Tips for Hiding Photos on iPhone
- To ensure maximum privacy, consider also hiding the ‘Hidden’ album itself which can be done from the ‘Photos’ section in your iPhone’s settings.
- Always keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version, as Apple continually improves security features.
- Consider using third-party apps that offer more robust privacy features, like password-protected albums.
- If you share your device with others, be sure to sign out of your iCloud account, as hidden photos will still appear on other devices using the same iCloud account.
- Remember that hiding your photos does not delete them, so if you want to remove them completely, you’ll need to delete them from the hidden album.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hidden photos be seen in a search?
No, hidden photos will not appear in the main photo feed or in search results within the Photos app.
Can someone else see my hidden photos if they have access to my phone?
If someone knows how to access the hidden album and your phone is not secured with a passcode or biometric lock, they can see the photos.
Will hiding my photos delete them from iCloud?
Hiding photos on your iPhone will not delete them from iCloud. They will still be available on other devices using the same iCloud account.
Can I hide multiple photos at once?
Yes, you can select and hide multiple photos at the same time by tapping on each photo you wish to hide.
If I delete a photo from the hidden album, is it gone forever?
Yes, once you delete a photo from the hidden album, it will be moved to the recently deleted album for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
Summary
- Open the Photos app
- Select the photo(s) to hide
- Tap on the share button
- Scroll down and choose ‘Hide’
- Confirm by tapping ‘Hide Photo’
Conclusion
Hiding photos on your iPhone is a straightforward process that can help keep your personal images private. Whether you’re a parent wanting to keep your children from stumbling upon sensitive content or someone who just prefers to keep certain aspects of your life private, knowing how to hide photos on your iPhone is invaluable. The key is to make sure that your phone is secure so that even if someone gains access to your hidden album, they won’t be able to view its contents without your permission. With these steps, tips, and FAQs, you should have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage the visibility of your photos. Remember, staying informed and vigilant is the best way to protect your privacy in the digital age.
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.