# How to hide photos from someone who knows your passcode

> Hide photos from someone who knows your passcode on iPhone: the best built-in way is locked note; for full protection, vault app (vaultforyou).

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/someone-who-knows-your-passcode/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

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

- Best built-in: Locked note
- Phone handed over
- Knows your passcode

This is the case the Hidden album can't solve: your passcode opens it.

- **Methods ranked:** 5
- **Top score:** 8/8

**Quick answer:** To hide photos from someone who knows your passcode, 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 someone who knows your passcode

**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/) | 8/8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #2 | [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/locked-note/) | 7/8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| #3 | [Hide button](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-button/) | 3/8 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| #4 | [Hide the Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/) | 3/8 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| #5 | [Lock the Photos app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/) | 2/8 | 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 someone who knows your passcode

- The Hidden album, Require Face ID and Recently Deleted all accept your passcode.
- Changing your passcode (Settings › Face ID & Passcode) locks out anyone who knew the old one.
- A notes password or a vault pattern is separate from the passcode.

- 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 someone who knows your passcode: questions

### How do I hide photos from someone who knows my passcode?

Use a lock that isn't your passcode: a locked note with a custom notes password, or a vault app with its own lock. Or change your iPhone passcode in Settings › Face ID & Passcode so the old code stops working.

### Does Face ID stop someone with my passcode?

No. Every Face ID prompt on iPhone accepts your passcode as a fallback, including the Hidden album and locked apps.

### What is the best way to hide photos from someone who knows your passcode?

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/)
- [A partner or ex](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/partner/)
- [Kids](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/kids/)
- [Friends borrowing your phone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/friends/)
- [Coworkers and screen sharing](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/coworkers/)
- [People sharing your Apple Account](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/shared-apple-account/)