# Is the Hidden album in my iCloud backup?

> Not when iCloud Photos is on: the Hidden album syncs to iCloud Photos instead of your daily iCloud Backup. With iCloud Photos off, the backup may include it.

Source: https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/icloud-backup/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![iCloud Photos settings with Sync this iPhone on](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/img/shows-in--icloud-backup.png)

- Answer: Not with iCloud Photos

Syncing and backing up are two different places in iCloud. The Hidden album goes to one of them.

**Short answer:** **Not if iCloud Photos is on.** Apple says iCloud Backup only holds data that **isn't already synced** to iCloud, and with iCloud Photos your photos sync instead. The Hidden album is part of that library, which is why it appears on iCloud.com. With **iCloud Photos off**, Apple says iCloud Backup **may include** the photos and videos in Photos.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **iCloud Photos on**Synced, not in backup
- **iCloud Photos off**Backup may include it
- **iCloud.com**Shows Hidden when syncing
- **Frees storage**Hidden still counts

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple's "What does iCloud back up?" article separates syncing from backing up. If you use iCloud Photos, photos, videos and face information **sync to iCloud and aren't included in your daily backup**.

The Hidden album lives inside that synced library: iCloud.com lists it under Hidden in the sidebar, and it reaches your other devices.

If iCloud Photos is off, Apple says your iCloud Backup **may include** the photos and videos in your Photos library.

By iOS version

## What changed across iOS versions

**Newest version first. Check yours in Settings › General › About.**

| Version | Released | What you see |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [iOS 26](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-26/) | September 15, 2025 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; locked on the iPhone. |
| [iOS 18](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-18/) | September 16, 2024 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; locked on the iPhone. |
| [iOS 17](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-17/) | September 18, 2023 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; locked on the iPhone. |
| [iOS 16](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-16/) | September 12, 2022 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; locked on the iPhone. |
| [iOS 15](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-15/) | September 20, 2021 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; no lock on the iPhone. |
| [iOS 14](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-14/) | September 16, 2020 | Synced with iCloud Photos when on; no lock on the iPhone. |

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Questions

## iCloud Backup: questions

### Does iCloud Backup save my hidden photos?

Only if iCloud Photos is off. Apple says iCloud Backup includes data that isn't already synced to iCloud. With iCloud Photos on, your library, Hidden album included, syncs to iCloud Photos instead of the daily backup. With it off, the backup may include the photos and videos in Photos.

### Do hidden photos use iCloud storage?

Yes. Hiding doesn't shrink or remove anything. With iCloud Photos on, hidden photos stay in your iCloud Photos library and count toward your iCloud storage like any other photo. Only deleting them, and letting Recently Deleted clear after 30 days, frees the space.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [What does iCloud back up?](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108770)
- [Hide your photos and videos on iCloud.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/mmea67686c65/icloud)
- [Back up and sync your photos with iCloud](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph961b96c4d/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Hidden photos and iCloud](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-photos-icloud/)
- [Empty after a restore?](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-empty-after-update/)
- [iCloud Photos](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/icloud-photos/)

## More: where the hidden album shows

- [iPadYes, synced](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/ipad/)
- [MacOff by default](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/mac/)
- [iCloud.comYes, in sidebar](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/icloud-com/)
- [Apple Vision ProYes, Optic ID](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/apple-vision-pro/)
- [Shared Library membersShared photos, yes](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/shared-library/)
- [Memories & widgetNo](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/memories-and-widget/)
- [Recently DeletedYes, 30 days](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/recently-deleted/)
- [Photos with the album offNo](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/photos-when-switched-off/)
- [Another Apple AccountNo](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/another-apple-account/)
- [Without iCloud PhotosNo](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/without-icloud-photos/)