# Are hidden photos in my iCloud backup?

> Depends on iCloud Photos. When it is on, hidden photos live in iCloud Photos, not your iCloud Backup. When it is off, the backup may include them.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/icloud-backup/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![iCloud Photos settings with Sync this iPhone switched on](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--icloud-backup.png)

- Answer: Depends

Hiding a photo doesn't take it out of iCloud. Where it ends up depends on one switch.

**Short answer:** **It depends on iCloud Photos.** Hiding doesn't remove anything from iCloud. With **iCloud Photos on**, your library, hidden photos included, syncs to iCloud Photos and so isn't part of your daily iCloud Backup. With it **off**, Apple says iCloud Backup may include the photos and videos in Photos.

The answer

## Where hidden photos are kept

- **iCloud Photos on**Stored in iCloud Photos
- **iCloud Photos off**Backup may include them
- **Hiding frees iCloud space**No
- **iCloud.com**Listed under Hidden

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple says iCloud Backup holds information that **isn't already synced** to iCloud. When you use iCloud Photos, your photos and videos sync to iCloud, so they aren't included in the daily backup. Without iCloud Photos, the backup may include photos and videos in Photos.

Hidden photos are still part of your iCloud Photos library: iCloud.com lists them under **Hidden**, and they sync to your other devices hidden.

Who this matters for: anyone who can sign in to your Apple Account or restore a device from your backup.

By iOS version

## What changed across iOS versions

**Newest version first. Check yours in Settings › General › About.**

| Version | Released | What you see |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iOS 26 | September 15, 2025 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; on iPhone the Hidden album opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; on iPhone the Hidden album opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; on iPhone the Hidden album opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; on iPhone the Hidden album opens only with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; no lock on the Hidden album. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | Hidden photos sync with iCloud Photos; no lock on the Hidden album. |

> Keep private photos out of every one of these placesVaultForYou 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

## iCloud Backup: questions

### Does hiding photos remove them from iCloud?

No. With iCloud Photos on, a hidden photo stays in your iCloud Photos library and still counts toward your iCloud storage. It is hidden on every device signed in to your Apple Account and listed under Hidden on iCloud.com. Only deleting the photo, then letting Recently Deleted clear, removes it.

### Are my photos in my iCloud Backup?

Only if iCloud Photos is off. Apple says iCloud Backup includes information that isn't already synced to iCloud, so with iCloud Photos on your photos and videos sync to iCloud instead of going into the daily backup. With iCloud Photos off, the backup may include the photos and videos in Photos.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [What does iCloud back up?](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108770)
- [Hide your photos and videos on iCloud.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/mmea67686c65/icloud)
- [Back up and sync your photos with iCloud](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph961b96c4d/ios)

## Go deeper

- [iCloud.comWhere hidden photos show](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/icloud-com/)
- [iCloud PhotosGlossary](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/icloud-photos/)
- [Vault app](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/vault-app/)

## More: do hidden photos show…?

- [Photos searchNo](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/photos-search/)
- [Memories & Featured PhotosNo](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/memories-featured-photos/)
- [Photos widgetNo](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/photos-widget/)
- [Shared LibraryYes, to members](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/shared-library/)
- [iPad and MacYes, hidden](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/ipad-and-mac/)
- [iCloud.comYes, in Hidden](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/icloud-com/)
- [iPhone SearchNo](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/iphone-search/)
- [MessagesYes](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/messages/)
- [Recently DeletedOnly if deleted](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/recently-deleted/)
- [Screen sharing & AirPlayNo](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/screen-sharing-airplay/)
- [DuplicatesYes](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/duplicates/)