# How to hide photos from a partner or ex

> Hide photos from a partner or ex on iPhone: the best built-in way is locked note; for full protection, vault app (vaultforyou).

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

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

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

A partner often knows your passcode, and sometimes shares devices or an Apple Account.

- **Methods ranked:** 5
- **Top score:** 12/12

**Quick answer:** To hide photos from a partner or ex, 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. If they might know your passcode, use a lock that isn't it: **Vault app (VaultForYou)**.

Ranked

## 5 methods ranked for a partner or ex

**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 | Shares your Apple Account | Makes you unlock |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| #1 | [Vault app (VaultForYou)](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/) | 12/12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #2 | [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/) | 9/12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| #3 | [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/) | 4/12 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| #4 | [Hide the Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/) | 4/12 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| #5 | [Lock the Photos app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/) | 2/12 | No | Yes | No | No | 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 a partner or ex

- Anything that opens with your passcode opens for anyone who knows it.
- Check **Settings › [your name]** for devices still signed in to your account.
- iPhone has **Safety Check** in Settings › Privacy & Security to review what you share.

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

> When a built-in lock isn't enoughVaultForYou 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 a partner or ex: questions

### How do I hide photos from my partner on iPhone?

If your partner knows your passcode, the Hidden album won't keep them out. Use a lock they don't know: a locked note with its own password for a few photos, or a vault app with a separate lock. Also check which devices are signed in to your Apple Account.

### What is Safety Check on iPhone?

Safety Check, in Settings › Privacy & Security, lets you review and stop sharing with people and apps. It helps if you're concerned someone has access to your account, location or devices.

### What is the best way to hide photos from a partner or ex?

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. A vault app with its own lock covers the rest, including someone who knows your passcode.

## Other situations

- [Parents](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/parents/)
- [Kids](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/kids/)
- [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/)