# Do hidden photos show when screen sharing or AirPlaying?

> No. Hidden photos stay out of your library grid, so mirroring your screen won't show them unless you open Hidden. How to remove even the album name.

Source: https://hidephotosoniphone.com/shows-in/screen-sharing-airplay/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photos settings with Show Hidden Album turned off](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--screen-sharing-airplay.png)

- Answer: No

Mirroring shows exactly what your screen shows. The question is what Photos puts on it.

**Short answer:** **No.** Mirroring or sharing your screen shows what Photos shows, and hidden photos **don't appear anywhere else in Photos**. They only show if you open the Hidden album while sharing. The album's **name** is still listed under Utilities unless you turn off **Show Hidden Album**.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **Library grid**Hidden photos left out
- **Albums and memories**Left out
- **Hidden album name**Listed under Utilities
- **Opening Hidden**Shows on the big screen

Why

## Why it works this way

Screen sharing and mirroring send your screen as it is. Because hidden photos are moved out of the library and other albums, scrolling your library in a meeting or on a TV doesn't show them.

The **Hidden** album itself stays listed under Utilities. Apple's **Show Hidden Album** switch removes it, and with the album off, hidden photos aren't visible anywhere in the Photos app.

Who this matters for: coworkers in a video call, or family around a TV while you AirPlay a slideshow.

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 the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Apps › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Hidden photos stay out of the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Apps › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | Hidden photos stay out of the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | Hidden photos stay out of the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | Hidden photos stay out of the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | Hidden photos stay out of the library. Hide the album name: Settings › Photos › Show Hidden Album. |

3 steps

## Remove the Hidden album before you share

1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**. On iOS 14–17, tap Photos directly.
2. **Turn off Show Hidden Album.** Switch **Show Hidden Album** off. The album disappears from Utilities; the photos stay hidden.
3. **Share an album, not the library.** When you present, open the album you want to show rather than scrolling your whole library.

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Questions

## Screen sharing & AirPlay: questions

### Will my hidden photos show if I mirror my iPhone to a TV?

Not unless you open the Hidden album. Mirroring shows your screen exactly, and hidden photos are kept out of your library, other albums and the Photos widget. The Hidden album is still listed under Utilities, so turn off Show Hidden Album first if you don't want its name on screen.

### How do I hide the Hidden album before a meeting?

Open Settings, tap Apps, then Photos, and turn off Show Hidden Album. On iOS 14 to 17 the switch is in Settings › Photos. The album disappears from Utilities and your hidden photos aren't visible anywhere in Photos until you switch it back on.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Hide photos with the Hidden album](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104987)
- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Hide photos from coworkers](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/from/coworkers/)
- [Hide the Hidden album](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/methods/hide-the-hidden-album/)
- [Show Hidden AlbumGlossary](https://hidephotosoniphone.com/glossary/show-hidden-album/)

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