# Do hidden photos show in iPhone Search?

> No. Hidden photos stay out of iPhone Search because Apple keeps them only in the Hidden album. How to keep every Photos result out of Search, by iOS version.

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

![Search settings for Photos with Show App in Search off](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--iphone-search.png)

- Answer: No

Swipe down on the Home Screen and Search can find images in your photo library. Hidden ones aren't among them.

**Short answer:** **No.** Apple says hidden photos are moved to the Hidden collection and **can't be viewed anywhere else**. iPhone Search can find images in your photo library, so unhidden photos can appear. To keep Photos out of Search completely, go to **Settings › Search › Photos** (iOS 18 and later) and turn off **Show App in Search**.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **Hidden photos**Not in Search
- **Unhidden photos**Can appear in results
- **Photos in Search**Can be switched off
- **Hidden album**Opens with your passcode

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple's iPhone User Guide says iPhone Search can find images in your photo library. It also says hidden photos are moved to the Hidden collection and **you can't view them anywhere else**.

Every app can be removed from Search. Apple's steps: **Settings › Search**, tap an app, turn **Show App in Search** off. On iOS 17 the same list is under **Settings › Siri & Search**.

Who this matters for: someone using your unlocked iPhone who swipes down to search instead of opening Photos.

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 stay out of Search. Remove Photos: Settings › Search › Photos. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Hidden photos stay out of Search. Remove Photos: Settings › Search › Photos. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | Hidden photos stay out of Search. Remove Photos: Settings › Siri & Search › Photos. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | Hidden photos stay out of Search. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | Hidden photos stay out of Search. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | Hidden photos stay out of Search. |

3 steps

## Remove Photos from iPhone Search (iOS 18 and later)

1. **Open Settings › Search.** Open **Settings** and tap **Search**. On iOS 17, tap **Siri & Search**.
2. **Tap Photos.** Scroll down to the list of apps and tap **Photos**.
3. **Turn off Show App in Search.** Switch **Show App in Search** off. Photos results stop appearing when you search from the Home Screen.

> 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

## iPhone Search: questions

### Do hidden photos show when I search from the Home Screen?

No. Apple says hidden photos are moved to the Hidden collection and can't be viewed anywhere else. iPhone Search can find images in your photo library, so photos you haven't hidden can appear, but hidden ones don't. Opening the Hidden album still needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode on iOS 16 and later.

### How do I stop photos appearing in iPhone Search?

Open Settings, tap Search, tap Photos and turn off Show App in Search. On iOS 17 the same switch is under Settings › Siri & Search › Photos. This removes all Photos results from Search, not just private ones, and you can turn it back on any time.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Search on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph3c511548/ios)
- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Hide photos from friends](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/friends/)
- [Lock the Photos appKeeps its content out of search](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/lock-photos-app/)
- [Search inside Photos](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/photos-search/)

## 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/)
- [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/)
- [iCloud BackupDepends](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/icloud-backup/)
- [DuplicatesYes](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/duplicates/)