# How to hide photos from kids

> Hide photos from kids on iPhone: the best built-in way is locked note; for full protection, locked note. 5 methods ranked for this situation.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/kids/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Locked note on iPhone, the best built-in way to hide photos from kids](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/from--kids.png)

- Best built-in: Locked note
- A quick look
- Phone handed over

Kids borrow your phone to play or watch. The goal is keeping them out of Photos by accident.

- **Methods ranked:** 5
- **Top score:** 7/7

**Quick answer:** To hide photos from kids, start with **locked note** (Notes › ••• › Lock). It keeps out someone scrolling your library or swiping past the photo you showed them, someone you hand your unlocked iPhone to, someone who knows your iPhone passcode, someone signed in to your Apple Account on another device.

Ranked

## 5 methods ranked for kids

**Fit weighs what matters most in this situation. We make VaultForYou, so weigh it accordingly.**

| Rank | Method | Fit | A quick look | Phone handed over | Knows your passcode |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| #1 | [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/) | 7/7 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #2 | [Vault app (VaultForYou)](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/) | 7/7 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #3 | [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/) | 6/7 | Yes | Yes | No |
| #4 | [Hide the Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/) | 6/7 | Yes | Yes | No |
| #5 | [Lock the Photos app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/) | 3/7 | No | Yes | No |

Do this

## Step by step: locked note

1. **Put the photos in a note.** Open **Notes**, start a new note and add the photos with the camera or attachment button.
2. **Tap ••• then Lock.** In the note, tap the **More** button (•••), then **Lock**. Choose your iPhone passcode or a separate notes password (iOS 16 and later).
3. **Delete the originals.** Delete the photos from Photos, then open **Recently Deleted** and delete them there too.

Good to know

## What to know about kids

- **Guided Access** keeps the phone in one app until you enter its code.
- Hidden photos don't appear when someone swipes through your library.
- Children under 13 can't lock or hide apps on their own devices.

- Private photos hidden
- Hidden album lock on (iOS 16+)
- Recently Deleted emptied
- Devices on my Apple Account checked

> A lock that isn't your iPhone passcodeVaultForYou 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

## Hiding photos from kids: questions

### How do I stop my child seeing my photos?

Hide private photos so they leave your library, and use Guided Access when you hand the phone over: Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access, then triple-click the side button in the app your child uses.

### Can my kid open the Hidden album?

On iOS 16 and later, only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. If your child knows the passcode, they can. On iOS 14 and 15 the album has no lock.

### What is the best way to hide photos from kids?

For this situation the best built-in option is locked note, which keeps out someone scrolling your library or swiping past the photo you showed them and someone you hand your unlocked iPhone to.

## Other situations

- [Parents](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/parents/)
- [A partner or ex](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/partner/)
- [Friends borrowing your phone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/friends/)
- [Coworkers and screen sharing](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/coworkers/)
- [Someone who knows your passcode](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/someone-who-knows-your-passcode/)
- [People sharing your Apple Account](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/shared-apple-account/)