# My Hidden album isn't locked

> Hidden album opening without Face ID? On iOS 16 and later the lock is on by default, so the Use Face ID switch is off. iOS 15 and earlier have no lock. Fixes.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-locked/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photos settings with Use Face ID switched off](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/fix--hidden-album-not-locked.png)

- 3 causes

The Hidden album lock is one switch, shared with Recently Deleted.

- **Causes:** 3
- **Steps:** 3

**Short answer:** On iOS 16 and later Apple locks Hidden and Recently Deleted **by default**. If yours opens straight away, **Use Face ID** (or Use Touch ID / Use Passcode) is off: turn it on in **Settings › Apps › Photos** (iOS 18+) or **Settings › Photos** (iOS 16–17). On **iOS 15 and earlier** the album can't be locked; use a locked note.

Causes

## Causes, most likely first

| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use Face ID switched off | iOS 16+, Hidden opens without asking | Turn Use Face ID back on |
| iOS 15 or earlier | No Use Face ID switch | Update, or use a locked note |
| Opened on iCloud.com or a Mac | Someone used another device | Each has its own lock |

3 steps

## Turn the Hidden album lock on (iOS 26)

1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**.
2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead.
3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything.

Did that fix it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Lock on Mac and iCloud.com](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud/)
- [Need a separate password?](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)

Find your fix:

- [Can my model lock it?](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/iphone/)
- [Hidden album lock basics](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)

> A lock with no settings to get wrongVaultForYou 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 not locked: questions

### How do I lock the Hidden album on iPhone?

On iOS 16 and later it is locked by default. If it isn't, open Settings › Apps › Photos on iOS 18 and later, or Settings › Photos on iOS 16 and 17, and turn on Use Face ID, Use Touch ID or Use Passcode. That one switch locks both Hidden and Recently Deleted.

### Can I lock the Hidden album with a different password?

No. The Hidden album opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode, and Apple offers no separate password for it. For a lock someone who knows your passcode can't open, use a note locked with a custom notes password, or a vault app with its own lock.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)
- [Hide photos with the Hidden album](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104987)

## Go deeper

- [Hidden album lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)
- [Lock a photo album](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/lock-photo-album-iphone/)

## Other fixes

- [Require Face ID missing](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/require-face-id-missing/)
- [Notes password not working](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/notes-password-not-working/)
- [Note won't open with Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-note-wont-open-with-face-id/)
- [Can't lock a note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/cant-lock-a-note/)
- [Locked app still notifies](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-app-still-shows-notifications/)
- [Guided Access won't end](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/guided-access-wont-end/)
- [Locked notes won't open on iCloud.com](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-notes-missing-on-icloud-com/)