# How to lock the Photos app on iPhone

> Lock the Photos app on iPhone: touch and hold its icon, tap Require Face ID, confirm. Needs iOS 18 or later. The app then asks for Face ID every time it opens.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/lock-photos-app-iphone/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photos app menu with Require Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/guides--lock-photos-app-iphone.png)

- iOS 18+

One long press, on iOS 18 and later.

- **Steps:** 3
- **Time:** 10sec

**Quick answer:** To lock the Photos app, touch and hold its icon on your Home Screen and tap **Require Face ID** (Require Touch ID on Touch ID models), then confirm. Needs **iOS 18 or later**. Photos then asks for Face ID or your passcode every time it opens. It can't be hidden, only locked.

3 steps

## Lock the Photos app

1. **Touch and hold the Photos icon.** On the Home Screen, touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
2. **Tap Require Face ID.** Tap **Require Face ID**. iOS 18 or later.
3. **Confirm with Face ID.** Confirm with Face ID or your passcode. From now on the app asks before it opens.

Limits

## What it doesn't do

What this does not do

- Stop someone who knows your passcode
- Hide the app icon
- Protect photos once you open the app to show one

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Questions

## Lock the Photos app: questions

### How do I lock the Photos app on iPhone?

Touch and hold the Photos icon, tap Require Face ID, and confirm. It needs iOS 18 or later.

### Can I hide the Photos app?

No. Only App Store apps can be hidden. Photos can be locked, not hidden.

### Why don't I see Require Face ID?

Your iPhone is on iOS 17 or earlier, or the app is one Apple doesn't allow to be locked. Update in Settings › General › Software Update.

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