# Every way to lock photos on iPhone

> Every way to lock photos on iPhone side by side: Hidden album, Photos app lock, locked note, Guided Access and a vault. What opens each and the gap it leaves.

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

![Notes list with a locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/locks.png)

- 4 built in
- 1 app

Four are built into iPhone; one is our app. The table shows what opens each.

- **Locks:** 5
- **Separate from passcode:** 3

**Quick answer:** The **Hidden album** and the **Photos app lock** open with your iPhone passcode. A **locked note** and a **vault** use a lock of their own. **Guided Access** only limits what someone sees while holding your phone.

Side by side

## All five locks

**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 |