1. Hidden album (all recent iOS versions)
Hide a photo (open it, tap •••, then Hide) and it moves to the Hidden album, which opens only with Face ID or your passcode. Step-by-step: how to hide photos on iPhone.
2. Lock the whole Photos app (iOS 18 and later)
- Touch and hold the Photos icon on your Home Screen.
- Tap Require Face ID, then confirm.
Now Photos opens only after Face ID. This protects your whole library when you hand your phone over, but the passcode still opens it.
3. A photo vault with its own PIN
A vault app keeps photos outside the Photos library, behind a separate PIN that isn’t your iPhone passcode.
Compared
| Hidden album | Locked Photos app | Vault with its own PIN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opens with iPhone passcode | Yes | Yes | No |
| Separate from Photos library | No | No | Yes |
| Removes location | No | No | Some vaults (Ghost does) |
| Protection if forced to unlock | No | No | Some vaults have a decoy or panic PIN |
| Cost | Free | Free | Varies |
For most people, the first two are fine against a curious friend. If you need protection from someone who knows your passcode, or could force you to open your phone, use a vault. How to choose one.