How to hide photos
on iPhone.

How the Hidden album works

1. In Photos, touch and hold a photo, tap Hide and confirm.
2. Find it later under Utilities › Hidden — on iOS 26 or later, tap Collections first — unlocked with Face ID or your passcode.
3. To hide the album itself, turn off Settings › Apps › Photos › Show Hidden Album.

What it doesn't do

Hidden photos stay part of your Photos library and sync with iCloud Photos. Anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open the album.

When a vault is the better choice

A vault encrypts photos in its own storage and opens with a PIN that is separate from your iPhone passcode — useful when someone else sometimes uses your phone. In Phone Cleaner, turn on Remove After Import (More › Settings) so the originals leave your library too.

Step 1 of 4Your private photos get a place of their own in Phone Cleaner. Tap Tools.

Step 2 of 4Tap Vault: private photos behind a PIN of its own, separate from your iPhone passcode.

Step 3 of 4Enter your PIN, or tap Unlock with Face ID. The vault locks itself as soon as you leave it.

Step 4 of 4Inside, your photos are encrypted on your iPhone. Add more with Import, or Capture new ones. Vault photos are not in iCloud or computer backups.