To hide photos on your iPhone running iOS 17, simply select the photos you want to hide, tap the share icon, and choose “Hide” from the menu. Your selected photos will then be moved to the Hidden album, which you can find in the Albums tab of the Photos app.
After you hide your photos, they will no longer appear in your main Photos tab or in any other albums, except for the Hidden album. They will be safely tucked away, only accessible if you go looking for them.
You can also watch this video about how to hide photos on iPhone for additional info.
Introduction
In an age where our smartphones are practically an extension of ourselves, privacy has become a paramount concern. We carry our lives in our pockets, from personal messages to sensitive work documents, and let’s not forget the countless photos and videos. But what happens when you have photos you don’t want the world—or even just a nosy friend—to see? That’s where iOS 17 comes in with its handy feature to hide photos on your iPhone.
Whether it’s a surprise party plan, a sensitive document, or just a bad hair day selfie, we all have photos we’d prefer to keep to ourselves. This feature is relevant to anyone who values their privacy and wants to maintain control over who sees what on their device. It’s a simple, yet powerful tool in safeguarding your digital privacy.
Related: How to Crop Photos on iPhone 14
Step by Step Tutorial: Hiding Photos on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s discuss what we’re aiming to achieve here. By following these instructions, you will be able to select specific photos to hide from the main view in your Photos app. These photos will not be deleted but moved to a hidden album, away from prying eyes.
Step 1: Open the Photos app and select the photos you want to hide
Selecting your photos is as simple as tapping on them. You can select multiple photos by tapping and dragging your finger across them.
Once you’ve selected the photos, you’ll see a checkmark on each one indicating it’s been selected. Make sure you’ve chosen all the photos you want to hide before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Tap the share icon
The share icon looks like a square with an arrow pointing up. It’s located at the bottom-left corner of your screen when viewing photos.
Tapping this icon will bring up the iOS share sheet, which gives you various options for what you can do with your selected photos. It’s also where you’ll find the option to hide them.
Step 3: Choose “Hide” from the menu
Scroll through the options until you find “Hide” and tap it. This will hide your selected photos.
After tapping “Hide,” you may be prompted to confirm your choice. Once you confirm, the photos will be moved to the Hidden album. Don’t worry, they’re not gone forever, just out of plain sight.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Hiding your photos ensures that they are not visible to anyone who might be scrolling through your pictures. |
| Organization | It helps you keep your photo library organized by removing clutter from your main album. |
| Easy to Use | The process to hide and unhide photos is straightforward and user-friendly. |
Hiding sensitive or personal photos gives you peace of mind, knowing that they’re not just out there for anyone to stumble upon. Whether you’re showing someone a photo on your phone or accidentally leave your Photos app open, you can rest assured that your hidden photos are safe from view.
By hiding photos, you can keep your main album neat and tidy, displaying only the photos you want to see regularly. It’s like having a secret drawer in your photo library that you can access whenever you need.
Apple has designed this feature to be incredibly intuitive. It’s just a few taps, and voilà, your photos are hidden. This simplicity ensures that anyone, regardless of their tech-savviness, can maintain their privacy.
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Not Password Protected | The Hidden album is not password protected, so anyone with access to your phone can still view it. |
| Backup and Sync | Hidden photos are still included in backups and can be viewed on other devices if iCloud Photos is enabled. |
| Accidental Unhide | It can be easy to accidentally unhide photos if you’re not careful. |
While the Hidden album keeps photos out of your main library, it’s not behind a lock and key. Anyone who knows where to look can still access these photos if they have your phone.
If you’re using iCloud Photos, hiding photos on one device doesn’t hide them on all devices. So, if you’re aiming for absolute privacy, you’ll need to take additional steps.
Just as hiding photos is simple, so is unhiding them. If you’re not mindful, you might end up revealing what you meant to conceal.
Video About Hiding Pictures
Additional Information
When you’re using the hide photos feature on iOS 17, it’s also essential to know that these photos won’t appear in your Moments, Collections, or Years. But, what if you want to unhide them later? Don’t fret; the process is just as straightforward as hiding them. Simply go to the Hidden album, select the photos, and choose “Unhide.”
Also, keep in mind that if you delete a photo from the Hidden album, it’s gone for good—just like deleting it from any other album. Lastly, remember the prompt keyword here: iOS 17 makes hiding photos a breeze, ensuring your privacy is just a few taps away.
Summary
- Open the Photos app and select the photos you want to hide.
- Tap the share icon located at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Choose “Hide” from the menu and confirm your selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide videos the same way I hide photos?
Yes, the process for hiding videos is the same as for photos. Select the videos, tap the share icon, and choose “Hide.”
Is there a way to password-protect the Hidden album?
No, iOS 17 does not currently offer a way to password-protect the Hidden album. For extra security, you might consider using third-party apps that provide password protection for photos.
Can I hide multiple photos at once?
Absolutely, you can select and hide multiple photos at the same time by tapping and dragging your finger across them.
If I hide a photo, will it still be in my iCloud backup?
Yes, hidden photos are still included in iCloud backups and can be viewed on other devices if iCloud Photos is enabled.
What if I change my mind and want to unhide a photo?
To unhide a photo, go to your Hidden album, select the photo, and choose “Unhide.” It will then reappear in your main library.
Conclusion
iOS 17 has made privacy management a no-brainer with its hide photos feature. It’s a must-use for anyone who values their digital privacy. Whether it’s sensitive information or just personal memories you’d rather keep to yourself, hiding photos is a smart move. Sure, there are a few limitations, like the lack of password protection for the Hidden album, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for most users.
So, go ahead, organize your photo library, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your hidden treasures are just that—hidden. Now, go forth and curate your digital photo album with confidence, courtesy of iOS 17.
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.