How To Hide Photos and Videos on iPhone (2024)

 
 

Looking to hide your photos and videos on your iPhone?

In this article, we break down everything you need to know on how to hide and password protect your pictures and videos in your camera roll.

You’ll also learn how to hide photos and videos in your Notes app as well as how to access the “Hidden Folder” in your "Photos” app.

Here’s a video that covers everything in this article (all three ways mentioned above):

 
 

how to lock your private pictures and videos on iPhone

Step 1:

Download the HiddenVault app in the App Store (it’s free):

 
hiddenvault-private-photo-vault-app.jpeg
 

Step 2:

Set up your passcode or FaceID so if you lose your phone… you still have to have a passcode or FaceID to get into your photo albums in the HiddenVault app.

*Important note:

HiddenVault has a “Break-In Alerts” feature that takes a picture of whoever is trying to open your HiddenVault app when they get the passcode wrong.

 
 

Step 3:

  • Create your first photo album

  • Add your photos and videos to the vault

  • Hit ‘“done”

Your pictures and videos are now securely hidden and stored on your iPhone (they’re also fully encrypted).

Is it safe to use HiddenVault to protect your pictures and videos?

Yes.

Here’s what makes HiddenVault different from other vault apps:

Unlike other apps, HiddenVault doesn’t store your data.

Period.

In fact, HiddenVault has zero access to your phone, data…. anything.

Everything is stored locally on your device (to eliminate the threat of hackers).

Important note:

You backup all of your data to your iCloud through the app automatically (see below):

 
 

How to hide photos and videos using the iPhone Notes app

Did you know you can store pictures, videos, and files all in your Notes app?

Here’s how to do this:

1. Open up a new Note

2. Tap the camera button at the top of your keyboard:

 
 

3. Tap ‘Choose Photo or Video’:

 
 

4. Select the pic you want and tap “Add” at the top right of your screen:

 
 

And thats it. You’ve successfully uploaded your photo to your Notes app:

 
 

Important note:

Storing a few pictures or videos in your Notes app is tedious but it can be useful if it’s a photo or two that you need somewhere that isn’t easily accessible.

Uploading photos is extremely time consuming and it would take you hours to upload an entire album (due to having to upload each picture one by one to your Note).

How to hide your pictures in the hidden Photos Folder

You can also use your built-in camera roll on your iPhone to store your photos.

Here’s what you need to know:

There is a secret folder that you can hide/unhide in the Apple Photos app.

Here’s how this works…

1. Open up your Photos app on your iPhone

2. Tap the pictures or videos you want to hide

3. Tap the share button bottom left of your screen

 

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

 

4. Scroll down and tap “Hide”

 
 

Thats it.

Your selected pictures and videos will be moved to the Hidden folder in your Photos app.

Once you upload your photos to this folder… you can also hide it.

Keep reading to see how this works.

How to Hide the Hidden Photos Album on iPhone

(so people can’t easily just open it if they’re on your phone)

 
 

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone

2. Tap “Photos”

3. Toggle the “Hidden” button to off

(it should be gray and not green)

 
 

You can choose to hide the folder or leave it hidden (see below):

 
 

In conclusion:

When it comes to storing your camera roll, you have multiple options through Apple and HiddenVault.

Apple provides you with a few ways to do this… but again, they’re time consuming and less secure vs using HiddenVault.

*This article was originally published November 19th, 2021 and was updated on January 3, 2024.

Kyle Allen