Remove the Hidden album from view on iPhone
Turn off Show Hidden Album so the collection does not appear in Photos, then practice it on a simulated iPhone. The setting is easy to reverse.
Open Settings, tap Apps, tap Photos and turn off Show Hidden Album. The collection stops appearing in the Photos app, and your hidden photos stay on your phone. To see them again, turn the setting back on. Anyone with your unlocked phone can do the same.
Practice on this iPhone
The Hidden album no longer shows in Photos. Your hidden photos are still there, and this setting can be turned back on by anyone who has your unlocked phone.
The Hidden collection normally sits under Utilities in Photos, with a lock on it. Its presence tells anyone looking that you have hidden something, or at least that you could have. Apple gives you a switch to take it out of sight.
Steps
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then tap Photos.
- Turn off Show Hidden Album.
Labels can vary by iOS version. If you do not see Apps, look for Photos directly in Settings on an older iOS.
What this does not do
It is a display setting. Hidden photos remain encrypted only to the same degree as the rest of the phone, and anyone with your unlocked phone can flip the switch back. Keep the lock on as well: Use Face ID, Touch ID or Passcode, in that same screen.
If your Hidden album went missing and you did not turn this off, this guide walks through other causes.
Frequently asked questions
Are my photos deleted when I do this?
No. The setting changes whether the collection shows. Turn it back on to see them.
How do I hide the album on my other devices?
The setting is on each device. Apple's Mac guide says the album is hidden from view by default, and you use View, then Show Hidden Photo Album, to reveal it.