# Does the Hidden album sync to iPad?

> Yes, with iCloud Photos on and the same Apple Account. The Hidden album syncs to iPad, under Utilities in the sidebar, locked on iPadOS 16.1 or later.

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

![Hidden album asking for Touch ID, as on an iPad](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/img/shows-in--ipad.png)

- Answer: Yes, synced

Same Apple Account, same iCloud Photos library, same Hidden album. Different lock.

**Short answer:** **Yes,** when iCloud Photos is on and both use the same Apple Account. Apple says photos you hide on one device are **hidden on your other devices too**. On iPad, open the **sidebar**, tap **Utilities**, then **Hidden**. It is locked by default from **iPadOS 16.1** and opens with **that iPad's** Face ID, Touch ID or passcode.

The answer

## What the iPad gets

- **Hidden album on iPad**Synced with iCloud Photos
- **iPad library**Hidden photos stay out
- **Lock on iPadOS 16.1+**iPad's own unlock
- **Without iCloud Photos**Nothing syncs

Why

## Why it works this way

iCloud Photos keeps one library on every device signed in to the same Apple Account. Apple says that with iCloud Photos, photos you hide on one device are hidden on the others, so the iPad gets the same Hidden album with the same photos.

The lock arrived with **iOS 16** on iPhone and **iPadOS 16.1** on iPad. Each device unlocks the album with its own Face ID, Touch ID or passcode, so the album is only as private as the iPad's passcode.

On iPad, Photos uses a sidebar. Apple's steps: tap the sidebar button at the top left if needed, tap **Utilities**, then **Hidden**.

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 | Hidden album syncs to iPad; on iPhone it is locked (Settings › Apps › Photos › Use Face ID). |
| [iOS 18](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-18/) | September 16, 2024 | Hidden album syncs to iPad; on iPhone it is locked (Settings › Apps › Photos › Use Face ID). |
| [iOS 17](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-17/) | September 18, 2023 | Hidden album syncs to iPad; on iPhone it is locked (Settings › Photos › Use Face ID). |
| [iOS 16](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-16/) | September 12, 2022 | Hidden album syncs to iPad; on iPhone it is locked (Settings › Photos › Use Face ID). |
| [iOS 15](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-15/) | September 20, 2021 | Hidden album syncs to iPad with no lock on iPhone. |
| [iOS 14](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/ios/ios-14/) | September 16, 2020 | Hidden album syncs to iPad with no lock on iPhone. |

3 steps

## Check the lock on the iPad

1. **Open the iPad's Photos settings.** On the iPad, open **Settings › Apps › Photos** (iPadOS 18 and later).
2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch on **Use Face ID** (or Use Touch ID / Use Passcode). It locks Hidden and Recently Deleted on that iPad.
3. **Test it in the sidebar.** Open **Photos**, show the sidebar, tap **Utilities › Hidden**. It should ask to unlock.

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Questions

## iPad: questions

### Does my Hidden album show up on my iPad?

Yes, if iCloud Photos is on for both devices and they use the same Apple Account. Apple says photos hidden on one device are hidden on the others. On iPad, open Photos, show the sidebar, tap Utilities and then Hidden. From iPadOS 16.1 the album asks for the iPad's own unlock.

### Can someone with my iPad open my iPhone's Hidden album?

Yes, if the iPad is signed in to your Apple Account with iCloud Photos on and they can unlock it. The synced album opens with the iPad's Face ID, Touch ID or passcode, not your iPhone's. Sign the iPad out of your account or turn off iCloud Photos there to stop it.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Hide photos with the Hidden album](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104987)
- [If you're missing photos or videos in the Photos app](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118558)

## Go deeper

- [Hidden album on iPadFull guide](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-ipad/)
- [Hidden photos and iCloud](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-photos-icloud/)
- [Not showing on iPad?](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-syncing-to-ipad/)

## More: where the hidden album shows

- [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/)
- [iCloud BackupNot with iCloud Photos](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/shows-in/icloud-backup/)
- [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/)