# What is Hidden album on iPhone?

> The Hidden album is a built-in album in the iPhone Photos app that holds photos and videos you hide. On iOS 16 and later it opens only with Face ID, Touch ID.

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

![What is Hidden album on iPhone illustrated on an iPhone screen](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/glossary--hidden-album.png)

**Quick answer:** The Hidden album is a built-in album in the iPhone Photos app that holds photos and videos you hide. On iOS 16 and later it opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

- **Where:** Photos › Utilities › Hidden
- **Locked since:** iOS 16 (2022)
- **How many:** One per Apple Account
- **Syncs:** With iCloud Photos, across your devices

## How it works

Hiding a photo moves it out of your Library, other albums and Memories, and into the Hidden album. The photo is not deleted and still uses storage.

The album is not separately encrypted. It is a lock on a folder, opened by the same Face ID, Touch ID or passcode that opens your iPhone.

## Hidden album at a glance

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Where | Photos › Utilities › Hidden |
| Locked since | iOS 16 (2022) |
| How many | One per Apple Account |
| Syncs | With iCloud Photos, across your devices |

## Hidden album: questions

### What is Hidden album on iPhone?

The Hidden album is a built-in album in the iPhone Photos app that holds photos and videos you hide. On iOS 16 and later it opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

### Where is Hidden album on iPhone?

Hidden album is at Photos › Utilities › Hidden. Hiding a photo moves it out of your Library, other albums and Memories, and into the Hidden album. The photo is not deleted and still uses storage.

### When did iPhone add Hidden album?

Hidden album arrived in iOS 16 (2022). Older iOS versions don't have it, so update in Settings › General › Software Update if your iPhone supports it.

## Related guides

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

## More terms

- [Decoy vault](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/decoy-vault/)
- [Face ID](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/face-id/)
- [Guided Access](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/guided-access/)
- [iCloud Photos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/icloud-photos/)
- [Locked note](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/locked-note/)
- [Photo vault app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/photo-vault-app/)