How to lock photos with Face ID on iPhone

Choose which part of Photos you want to lock

The Hidden album keeps selected images out of ordinary browsing in Photos. The app lock adds an authentication step when someone tries to open Photos itself. If you lend your phone to a friend to make a call, the app lock is the more useful control. If you regularly open Photos to share ordinary pictures, putting a few sensitive items in Hidden is easier to live with.

You can use both controls. Test each one with an ordinary picture before relying on it for anything sensitive.

Lock selected pictures in Hidden

Apple locks the Hidden album by default beginning with iOS 16. Menu labels and the place where Utilities appears vary by iOS version.

1. Open Photos, touch and hold a test image, choose Hide, and confirm. You can also use the More menu while viewing it.
2. Go to Hidden in the Utilities area of Photos. Open the album and confirm that the phone asks for authentication before showing the item.
3. If you want to remove the album from the list, turn off Show Hidden Album in Photos settings. In recent iOS versions, find it under Settings → Apps → Photos. Turn it back on when you need the album.

Lock the Photos app on iOS 18 or later

App locking is an iOS feature for eligible apps. Availability can depend on the iOS version, the app, and account restrictions. Apple does not let you move built-in apps into the hidden apps folder.

1. On the Home Screen, touch and hold the Photos icon. Choose Require Face ID, then confirm and authenticate. Your model may show Touch ID or Passcode instead.
2. Leave Photos and try to reopen it. Verify that it asks you to authenticate. Repeat on each device you want to protect because the app lock is set per device.
3. If the option is missing, check your iOS version and restrictions. The Hidden album remains a separate option on supported versions.

Check what the lock covers

An app lock ordinarily allows the device passcode as a fallback. Apple documents a biometric-only condition for locked apps with Stolen Device Protection when you are away from familiar locations. If another person knows your passcode, check your settings and plan for that person’s access.

A copy already sent in Messages, saved in Files, or received by another person has its own access rules. Review those locations separately. When showing a picture on an unlocked phone, close Photos before handing the device over if you do not want the recipient to browse the library.