# iPhone photo locks, head to head

> 10 side-by-side comparisons of iPhone photo locks: Hidden album, Photos app lock, locked note, Guided Access and vault. Pick the right one in 30 seconds.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![A locked note in the Notes list](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/compare.png)

- 10 matchups
- 11 attributes

Every pair of locks, compared on the 11 things that matter.

- **Matchups:** 10
- **Attributes:** 11

All matchups

## Pick a matchup

- [Hidden album vs Photos appUtilities › Hidden · Require Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-photos-app/)
- [Hidden album vs Locked noteUtilities › Hidden · Notes › ••• › Lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)
- [Hidden album vs Guided AccessUtilities › Hidden · Triple-click](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-guided-access/)
- [Hidden album vs VaultUtilities › Hidden · Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-vault/)
- [Photos app vs Locked noteRequire Face ID · Notes › ••• › Lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-locked-note/)
- [Photos app vs Guided AccessRequire Face ID · Triple-click](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-guided-access/)
- [Photos app vs VaultRequire Face ID · Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-vault/)
- [Locked note vs Guided AccessNotes › ••• › Lock · Triple-click](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-guided-access/)
- [Locked note vs VaultNotes › ••• › Lock · Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-vault/)
- [Guided Access vs VaultTriple-click · Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/guided-access-vs-vault/)

All five

## Everything in one table

**We make VaultForYou, so weigh it accordingly.**

|  | [Hidden album](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/) | [Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/photos-app/) | [Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/) | [Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/) | [Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Opens with | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) | A separate Guided Access passcode, to leave the app | A pattern you draw (4+ dots). Your passcode doesn't open it |
| Separate from your passcode | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Holds video | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Several private spaces | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Decoy for pressure | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Protects stored photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| What others can see | A "Hidden" row in Utilities, unless switched off | The Photos icon stays on your Home Screen | The note title, with a lock icon | Nothing is stored; it only limits the screen | No vault names, counts or previews on its lock screen |
| If you forget it | Reset your iPhone passcode | Reset your iPhone passcode | Apple can't recover a custom notes password | Force restart your iPhone, then reset it in Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access | Nobody can open that vault; there is no reset |
| Needs | iOS 16+ | iOS 18+ | iOS 14+ | iOS 14+ | iOS 16+ |
| Setup time | 10 sec | 10 sec | 1 min | 1 min once | 2 min |
| Cost | Built in, free | Built in, free | Built in, free | Built in, free | Free download; Premium optional |