# How to lock the Hidden album on iPhone > Lock hidden photos on iPhone: turn on Use Face ID in Settings › Apps › Photos. iOS 16 and later lock Hidden and Recently Deleted. iOS 14–15 can't lock it. Source: https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/lock-hidden-album-iphone/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou ![Hidden album locked and asking for Face ID](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/img/guides--lock-hidden-album-iphone.png) - On by default - iOS 16+ - Passcode opens it On iOS 16 and later the Hidden album is locked by default. One switch controls it. - **Steps:** 3 - **Since:** iOS 16 - **Also locks:** Deleted - **Own password:** No **Quick answer:** The Hidden album is locked by default on **iOS 16 and later**. To check, open **Settings › Apps › Photos** (Settings › Photos on iOS 16–17) and turn on **Use Face ID** (or Use Touch ID / Use Passcode). It locks Hidden and Recently Deleted. Your iPhone passcode always opens it; iOS 14–15 can't lock it. 3 steps ## Turn the lock on iOS 26: 1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**. 2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead. 3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything. iOS 18: 1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**. 2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead. 3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything. iOS 16–17: 1. **Open Settings › Photos.** Open **Settings**, then **Photos**. 2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead. 3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything. Who it stops ## Who the lock stops, and who it doesn't - **Someone scrolling Photos**Blocked - **Kids borrowing the phone**Blocked without your code - **Someone with your passcode**Gets in - **iOS 14–15**No lock exists Level 2Locked by your passcode 1. Hidden, no lock 2. Locked by passcode 3. Locked + app lock 4. Own separate lock A separate lock (level 4) needs a locked note or a vault app. > Lock it with something only you knowThe Hidden album opens with your iPhone passcode. VaultForYou opens only with a pattern you draw, so sharing your passcode doesn't share your photos. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later iOS 14–15 ## Can't lock it on iOS 14 or 15? The lock arrived in iOS 16. If your iPhone can update, go to Settings › General › Software Update. iPhone 6s, 7 and the first iPhone SE stop at iOS 15. On those, use a [locked note](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/locked-note/). Did that solve it? Good. People usually do this next: - [Can the Hidden album have its own password?Why it can't, and what works instead](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-password/) - [How to hide the Hidden album on iPhoneRemove it from Utilities completely](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hide-the-hidden-album/) - [Can you have multiple hidden albums on iPhone?One built in; ways to get more](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/multiple-hidden-albums/) Find your fix: - [Hidden album missingTurn on Show Hidden Album](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-missing/) - [Hidden album empty4 places photos go](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-empty/) - [Steps for my iPhonePick your model](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/iphone/) Questions ## Lock the Hidden album: questions ### How do I lock hidden photos on iPhone? On iOS 16 and later they are locked by default. Make sure Use Face ID is on in Settings › Apps › Photos (Settings › Photos on iOS 16–17). The Hidden and Recently Deleted albums then ask for Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. ### Can I put a different password on the Hidden album? No. The Hidden album uses the same Face ID, Touch ID and passcode as your iPhone. For a separate password, put photos in a locked note with a custom password, or use a vault app with its own lock. ### Why does my Hidden album open without Face ID? Either Use Face ID is off in Settings › Apps › Photos, or your iPhone runs iOS 14 or 15, which has no lock. Turn the switch on, or update to iOS 16 or later if your model supports it. ### Does the lock work with Touch ID? Yes. On iPhone SE and iPhone 8 with iOS 16 or later, the setting is called Use Touch ID. The Hidden album opens with your fingerprint or your passcode. ### Does locking the Hidden album lock Recently Deleted too? Yes. The same switch locks both albums, so deleted photos can't be browsed without Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode either. ## Related guides - [Can the Hidden album have its own password?Why it can't, and what works instead](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-password/) - [How to hide the Hidden album on iPhoneRemove it from Utilities completely](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hide-the-hidden-album/) - [Can you have multiple hidden albums on iPhone?One built in; ways to get more](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/multiple-hidden-albums/) - [How to find hidden photos on iPhoneUtilities › Hidden, for every iOS version](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/find-hidden-photos-iphone/) - [The iPhone hidden folder: photos vs appsHidden album vs Hidden apps folder](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/iphone-hidden-folder/)