# Someone opened my Hidden album

> Someone got into your Hidden album? They knew your passcode, the lock was off, your iOS is older than 16, or they used another device. What to change for each.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/someone-opened-hidden-album/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Hidden album locked, asking for Face ID](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/fix--someone-opened-hidden-album.png)

- 4 causes

The Hidden album lock is your iPhone's lock. Anyone who has that, has the album.

- **Causes:** 4
- **Steps:** 3

**Short answer:** The Hidden album opens with **Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode**, so anyone who **knows your passcode** can open it. It also opens with no lock if **Use Face ID** is off in Photos settings, or on **iOS 14–15**. Change your passcode, check the switch, and for photos they must never see, use a lock that isn't your passcode.

Causes

## Causes, most likely first

| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| They know your passcode | Face ID failed, then they typed the code | Change your passcode; use a separate lock |
| Use Face ID is off | Hidden opens without asking | Turn on Use Face ID in Photos settings |
| iOS 15 or earlier | No lock option exists | Update to iOS 16 or later if your iPhone can |
| Another device or iCloud.com | They use a device on your Apple Account | Remove that access; see iPad and Mac fix |

3 steps

## Turn the Hidden album lock back on (iOS 18 and later)

1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**.
2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead.
3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything.

Did that fix it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Hide from someone with your passcode](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/someone-who-knows-your-passcode/)
- [A separate password](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/)

Find your fix:

- [They used another device](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-photos-showing-on-ipad-or-mac/)
- [Lock missing on my model](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/iphone/)

> When hiding isn't enough, use a lock of your ownVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later

Questions

## Someone opened Hidden: questions

### Can someone open my Hidden album with my passcode?

Yes. On iOS 16 and later the Hidden album opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode, and the passcode always works as a fallback. Anyone who knows it can open the album. Change the passcode, or move private photos to a locked note with a custom password or a vault app.

### Why did my Hidden album open without Face ID?

Either the lock is switched off or your iPhone runs iOS 15 or earlier. On iOS 16 and later, turn on Use Face ID, Use Touch ID or Use Passcode in Photos settings: Settings › Apps › Photos on iOS 18 and later, Settings › Photos on iOS 16 and 17.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)
- [Hide photos with the Hidden album](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104987)

## Go deeper

- [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/)
- [Vault app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/)

## Other fixes

- [Hidden photo still in library](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-photo-still-in-library/)
- [Showing on iPad or Mac](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-photos-showing-on-ipad-or-mac/)
- [Still in Memories or widget](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-photo-in-featured-or-widget/)
- [Can't find Unhide](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/cant-find-unhide/)
- [Hidden photos came back](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-photos-came-back/)