The Hidden album is built into every iPhone and costs nothing. For many people it is enough. But "hidden" does not mean "private". This guide explains what it protects and what it does not, so you can decide.
What the Hidden album does
- It removes photos and videos from your main library, from Memories, from Featured Photos and from the Photos widget.
- On current versions of iOS, it is locked. To open it, you use Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode.
- You can also remove the album from the sidebar of Photos. In the Settings app, open Photos and turn off Show Hidden Album.
This works well against the most common problem: someone who looks at your camera roll while you show them a photo.
What it does not do
Your device passcode opens it
The lock on the Hidden album is the same lock as your device. A partner, a family member or anyone else who knows your passcode can open it. If someone makes you unlock your device, they can open it too.
It shows that something is hidden
The Hidden album appears in the album list, unless you turn it off in Settings. A person who knows where to look can turn it on again. A locked album suggests that it contains something.
It is not separately encrypted
Your iPhone encrypts all of its storage, and the Hidden album gets the same protection as your other photos. It does not get a separate key. On the device, hidden photos have the same protection as the rest of your library.
It syncs with iCloud Photos
If you use iCloud Photos, hidden photos sync to your other devices and to iCloud. Without Advanced Data Protection, Apple keeps the keys for iCloud Photos. With Advanced Data Protection turned on, iCloud Photos is end-to-end encrypted. Check which one you use in Settings, under your name, then iCloud.
Other apps can ask for it
An app that you give full access to your photo library can ask iOS for hidden photos too. Check which apps have full access in Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Photos.
When the Hidden album is enough
- No one else knows your device passcode.
- You want to keep photos out of sight when you show your phone to people.
- It is not a problem if someone sees that you have hidden photos.
When you need more
- Someone who shares your life knows your passcode.
- Someone could make you unlock your device, at home, at work or at a border.
- You want to keep documents, passwords and IDs private as well as photos.
In these cases, use a vault with its own key that is separate from your passcode. DotSafe makes that key from a pattern that you draw. It does not show how many vaults you have, and it never says that a pattern is wrong, so you can open a decoy vault if you must open something. See How to hide photos on iPhone for the other options.
A fair comparison: the Hidden album is free, built in, and needs no new app. A vault app adds protection, but you must trust its design. Read How to choose a photo vault app before you trust any vault app, including DotSafe.
