# How to hide photos on iPhone with a password

> Hide photos on iPhone with a password: the Hidden album only takes your passcode, so use a locked note with a notes password, or a vault app with its own lock.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/hide-photos-with-password/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![A locked note holding private photos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/guides--hide-photos-with-password.png)

- Separate from passcode

The Hidden album only takes your iPhone passcode. Here is what gives you a separate one.

- **Options:** 2
- **Built in:** 1

**Quick answer:** The Hidden album opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your **iPhone passcode**; it can't have its own password. For a separate one, put photos in a **locked note** with a custom notes password (photos only, no video), or use a **vault app**: VaultForYou opens with a pattern you draw.

Built in

## Lock photos in a 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.

Compared

## Password options

**We make VaultForYou, so weigh our pick accordingly.**

| Option | Lock | Video | Forgot it? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hidden album | iPhone passcode | Yes | Reset your passcode |
| Locked note | Notes password | No | Apple can't recover it |
| VaultForYou | Drawn pattern | Yes | No reset |

> 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

Did that solve it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [How to hide photos on iPhone without an app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/hide-photos-without-app/)
- [How to make a private photo album on iPhone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/private-photo-album-iphone/)
- [How to unhide photos on iPhone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/unhide-photos/)

Find your fix:

- [Not private enoughPick who you're hiding from](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/)
- [Option missingCheck your iPhone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/iphone/)
- [Hid the wrong oneUnhide it](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/unhide-photos/)

Questions

## With a password: questions

### Can I put a password on hidden photos on iPhone?

Not on the Hidden album; it uses your iPhone passcode. A locked note can use a separate notes password, and a vault app uses its own lock.

### What happens if I forget my notes password?

Apple can't recover it. Resetting the notes password only applies to notes you lock afterwards; notes locked with the old password stay locked.

### Can I lock a video with a password?

Not in Notes: notes with video can't be locked. Use a vault app with its own lock for videos.

## More guides

- [How to hide photos on iPhone without an app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/hide-photos-without-app/)
- [How to make a private photo album on iPhone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/private-photo-album-iphone/)
- [How to unhide photos on iPhone](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/unhide-photos/)
- [Can you hide the Photos app on iPhone?](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/guides/hide-photos-app/)