Hide Hidden Album Photos on iPhone & iPad

This guide shows you how to hide the Hidden album on your iPhone or iPad so those photos don’t appear in the Photos app’s album list. You’ll need iOS 14 or later (or iPadOS 14 or later) — earlier versions don’t have the option to hide the album itself. The steps take about a minute and don’t delete any photos.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 14 or newer
• Your device passcode or Face ID/Touch ID enabled (recommended, but not required)
• Photos already in the Hidden album (you can add them anytime)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen (on iPad, it’s in the sidebar).
3. Scroll down to the Utilities section. You’ll see the Hidden album there.
4. Tap the Hidden album to open it. (If you don’t see it, you may need to scroll further or ensure you have at least one hidden photo.)
5. Now look at the top-right corner of the screen. Tap the ellipsis (•••) button.
6. From the menu that appears, tap Hide Album. (If you don’t see this option, your iOS version might be older than 14 — check Settings > General > Software Update.)
7. Confirm by tapping Hide in the pop-up. The Hidden album will immediately disappear from the Albums list.

That’s it — the album is now hidden. To see your hidden photos again, you’ll need to follow the steps in the Troubleshooting section below.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating iOS: The Hide Album option only exists in iOS 14 and later. If you don’t see it, update your device first.
• Looking in the wrong place: The Hidden album is under Utilities, not in the main albums grid. Some people search the entire list and miss it.
• Confusing hiding a photo with hiding the album: Hiding individual photos (via the Share sheet > Hide) only moves them to the Hidden album — it doesn’t hide the album itself. You need to hide the album separately.
• Expecting the photos to be deleted: Hiding the album does not delete the photos. They remain in your library, just harder to find.

Tips

• Use Face ID/Touch ID to lock the Hidden album: In iOS 16 and later, you can require Face ID or Touch ID to view the Hidden album. Go to Settings > Photos > Require Face ID (or Touch ID) and toggle it on. This adds an extra layer of privacy.
• Hide multiple photos quickly: Select photos in your library, tap the Share button (square with arrow), then scroll down and tap Hide. They all go to the Hidden album at once.
• Remember the album is still there: Hiding the album doesn’t make the photos invisible to apps that have photo library access. Some third-party apps can still see them. For true privacy, consider moving photos to a secure folder app or turning off photo library access for those apps.
• Unhide a single photo: If you later want to unhide one photo, you’ll need to unhide the album first (see below), then select the photo, tap Share > Unhide.

Troubleshooting

I can’t find the Hidden album at all. If you’ve never hidden any photos, the Hidden album may not appear. Hide at least one photo first (select a photo, tap Share > Hide), then it should show up under Utilities.

The Hide Album option is grayed out or missing. This usually means your iOS version is older than 14. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. If you’re already on iOS 14 or later, try restarting your device.

I hid the album but now I want to see it again. To unhide the album, go to Settings > Photos and toggle off Hidden Album (on iOS 14–15) or simply scroll to the bottom of the Albums list and tap Show Hidden Album (on iOS 16+). The exact wording varies by version — look for a toggle or a link that says “Hidden Album.”

I hid the album but it still shows up on my Mac or other devices. Hiding the album on iPhone/iPad only hides it on that device. On a Mac, open Photos > View > Hide Hidden Album (or use the sidebar). On other devices, check their respective settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does hiding the hidden album delete my photos?
A: No. Hiding the album simply removes it from view. All photos remain in your library and are still accessible via the Hidden album if you unhide it.

Q: Can I password-protect the Hidden album?
A: On iOS 16 and later, you can require Face ID or Touch ID to view the Hidden album by going to Settings > Photos > Require Face ID (or Touch ID). This is not a password, but it adds biometric protection.

Q: Why can’t I see the Hidden album at all?
A: The album only appears after you’ve hidden at least one photo. Hide a photo first, then it will show up under Utilities.

Q: Will hiding the album also hide it from iCloud?
A: No. The setting only hides the album on the device you change it on. Your photos remain in iCloud and can appear in the Hidden album on other devices unless you hide it there too.

Q: Can I hide the Hidden album on an older iOS version?
A: No. The option to hide the album itself was introduced in iOS 14. On earlier versions, you can only hide individual photos, but the Hidden album will always be visible.

Q: How do I unhide a single photo after hiding the album?
A: First unhide the album (Settings > Photos > toggle off Hidden Album, or tap Show Hidden Album). Then open the Hidden album, select the photo, tap Share > Unhide.

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