# How to lock photos on iPhone XS Max

> Lock photos on iPhone XS Max: hide them and the Hidden album locks with Face ID. 5 of 5 locks work on this model, including Require Face ID, plus Guided Access.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/iphone/iphone-xs-max/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photo lock on iPhone XS Max with iOS 18](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/iphone--iphone-xs-max.png)

- Hidden locks with Face ID
- Photos app lock
- iOS 18

iPhone XS Max (2018) runs up to iOS 18 and unlocks with Face ID. 5 of 5 photo locks work on it.

- **Locks:** 5/5
- **Newest iOS:** 18
- **Unlock:** Face ID
- **Guided Access:** Side ×3

**Quick answer:** To lock photos on iPhone XS Max, hide them with **••• › Hide**. On iOS 18 the Hidden album opens only with **Face ID** or your passcode. For a lock your passcode can't open, use a **locked note** or a **vault**.

5 locks

## Photo locks on iPhone XS Max

- **Hidden album lock**Utilities › Hidden
- **Photos app lock**Require Face ID
- **Locked note**Notes › ••• › Lock
- **Guided Access**Triple-click
- **Vault (VaultForYou)**Drawn pattern

Best built-in

## Lock photos on iPhone XS Max: hidden album lock

1. **Open the photo.** Open **Photos** and tap the photo or video you want to hide.
2. **Tap ••• then Hide.** Tap the **More** button (•••) at the top right, then tap **Hide**. You can also touch and hold a photo in the grid.
3. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead.
4. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything.

Handover

## Guided Access on iPhone XS Max

1. **Turn on Guided Access.** Go to **Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access**, switch it on and set a Guided Access passcode.
2. **Triple-click the side button.** Open the photo you want to show, then triple-click the **side button** and tap **Start**.
3. **End it with your code.** Triple-click the side button again and enter your Guided Access passcode to leave.

> A lock your iPhone XS Max passcode can't openVaultForYou 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

## iPhone XS Max: questions

### How do I lock photos on iPhone XS Max?

Hide them with More (•••) › Hide. On iOS 18 the Hidden album locks with Face ID or your passcode; check Use Face ID is on in Settings › Apps › Photos.

### Can I lock the Photos app on iPhone XS Max?

Yes. Touch and hold the Photos icon and tap Require Face ID. It needs iOS 18 or later, which iPhone XS Max supports.

### How do I start Guided Access on iPhone XS Max?

Turn it on in Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access, open the photo, then triple-click the side button and tap Start. Triple-click the side button again and enter the code to end it.

### Does VaultForYou work on iPhone XS Max?

Yes. It needs iOS 16 or later, and iPhone XS Max runs iOS 18. It opens with a pattern you draw, not Face ID.

## Same locks as iPhone XS Max

- [iPhone XR](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/iphone/iphone-xr/)
- [iPhone XS](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/iphone/iphone-xs/)