# The Hidden album is empty after an update or restore

> Hidden album empty after updating or restoring your iPhone? iCloud Photos may be off or syncing, the Library view filtered, or the Apple Account different.

Source: https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-empty-after-update/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![iCloud Photos settings with Sync this iPhone on](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/img/fix--hidden-album-empty-after-update.png)

- 5 causes

After a restore, photos come back from iCloud Photos, and that takes time.

- **Causes:** 5
- **Steps:** 3

**Short answer:** Check **iCloud Photos** first: **Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Photos**, turn on **Sync this iPhone**, stay on Wi-Fi and wait. Then make sure you're signed in to **the same Apple Account** as before, and that the Library view is **Both Libraries**. Also look in your library (they may be unhidden) and in **Recently Deleted**.

Causes

## Causes, most likely first

| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iCloud Photos off or still syncing | Collections shows an upload or sync status | Turn on Sync this iPhone; wait on Wi-Fi |
| Different Apple Account | Settings shows another email at the top | Sign in with the account you used before |
| Library view filtered | Only Personal or Shared Library showing | Choose Both Libraries |
| Photos were unhidden | They are back in your library | Hide them again |
| Photos were deleted | They are in Recently Deleted (or Recovered) | Recover them within 30 days |

3 steps

## Turn on iCloud Photos and wait

1. **Open iCloud › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap your name, tap **iCloud**, then **Photos**.
2. **Turn on Sync this iPhone.** Switch on **Sync this iPhone**. Connect to Wi-Fi; Apple says it can take a few minutes before photos appear.
3. **Choose Both Libraries.** In Photos, tap **Collections**, tap your account at the top right and choose **Both Libraries** if you use a Shared Library.

Did that fix it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Check the lock after a restore](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/lock-hidden-album-iphone/)
- [Where the album syncs](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/)

Find your fix:

- [Hidden album empty: full guide](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-empty/)
- [Check iCloud.com](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/icloud-com/)

> Tired of fixing the Hidden album? Try a vault with its own lockVaultForYou 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

## Empty after update or restore: questions

### Why is my Hidden album empty after restoring my iPhone?

Most often iCloud Photos hasn't finished downloading, or it is off. Turn on Sync this iPhone in Settings › your name › iCloud › Photos and stay on Wi-Fi. Also check you signed in with the same Apple Account as before, because the Hidden album belongs to that account.

### Can I check my Hidden album without my iPhone?

Yes, if you use iCloud Photos. Sign in at icloud.com/photos, select Hidden in the sidebar, then Show Hidden Photos. If your hidden photos are there, they are safe and will reach the iPhone once it finishes syncing with the same Apple Account.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [If you're missing photos or videos in the Photos app](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118558)
- [Back up and sync your photos with iCloud](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph961b96c4d/ios)
- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)
- [Hide your photos and videos on iCloud.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/mmea67686c65/icloud)

## Go deeper

- [Hidden album emptyFull guide](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-empty/)
- [Without iCloud Photos](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/without-icloud-photos/)
- [iCloud Backup](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/icloud-backup/)

## Other fixes

- [Not in Utilities](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-in-utilities/)
- [Not asking for Face ID](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-asking-for-face-id/)
- [Use Face ID switch missing](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/use-face-id-toggle-missing/)
- [Can't find Utilities (iOS 18)](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/cant-find-utilities-ios-18/)
- [Not on my Mac](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-on-mac/)
- [Not syncing to iPad](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-syncing-to-ipad/)