# Hidden album vs Locked note

> Hidden album vs Locked note: Locked note has its own lock, Hidden album uses your passcode. 8 differences in one table, and which one to pick for your.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Hidden album compared with Locked note on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/compare--hidden-album-vs-locked-note.png)

- Stronger: Locked note
- 8 differences

Hidden album: Utilities › Hidden. Locked note: Notes › ••• › Lock. 8 of 11 things differ.

- **Hidden album level:** 2/4
- **Locked note level:** 3/4

**Quick answer:** **Hidden album** is best for a few private photos you want out of your library. **Locked note** is best for a handful of photos behind a password your partner or family doesn't know. Locked note keeps out more people, because your iPhone passcode doesn't open it.

Side by side

## Hidden album vs Locked note: 11 things compared

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

|  | [Hidden album](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/) | [Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opens with | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) |
| Separate from your passcode | No | Yes |
| Holds video | Yes | No |
| Several private spaces | No | Yes |
| Decoy for pressure | No | No |
| Protects stored photos | Yes | Yes |
| What others can see | A "Hidden" row in Utilities, unless switched off | The note title, with a lock icon |
| If you forget it | Reset your iPhone passcode | Apple can't recover a custom notes password |
| Needs | iOS 16+ | iOS 14+ |
| Setup time | 10 sec | 1 min |
| Cost | Built in, free | Built in, free |

Pick one

## Which should you use?

Hidden albumChoose it if…

- You need to lock videos too
- You never want a second password to forget

[How to set it up ›](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)

Locked noteChoose it if…

- Someone else knows your iPhone passcode
- You want more than one private space
- Your iPhone runs iOS 14–15

[How to set it up ›](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)

Differences

## Where Hidden album and Locked note differ

|  | Hidden album | Locked note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opens with | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) |
| Separate from your passcode | No | Yes |
| Holds video | Yes | No |
| Several private spaces | No | Yes |
| What others can see | A "Hidden" row in Utilities, unless switched off | The note title, with a lock icon |
| If you forget it | Reset your iPhone passcode | Apple can't recover a custom notes password |
| Needs | iOS 16+ | iOS 14+ |
| Setup time | 10 sec | 1 min |

> A lock that isn't your iPhone passcodeVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later

Questions

## Hidden album vs Locked note: questions

### Is the hidden album or the locked note more secure?

Locked note keeps out more people: it has its own lock, so your iPhone passcode doesn't open it. Hidden album is quicker to set up and built in.

### Can I use the hidden album and the locked note together?

Yes. They don't conflict. For example, keep everyday private photos in the hidden album and the most sensitive ones in the locked note.

### Which works on older iPhones?

Locked note works from iOS 14; Hidden album needs iOS 16. Check yours in Settings › General › About.

## Other matchups

- [Hidden album vs Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-photos-app/)
- [Hidden album vs Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-guided-access/)
- [Hidden album vs Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-vault/)
- [Photos app vs Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-locked-note/)
- [Locked note vs Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-guided-access/)
- [Locked note vs Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-vault/)