# Lock photos in a note

> Put photos in a note and lock it with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode. No video, audio or PDFs. The note title shows.

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

![Locked note on an iPhone screen](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/locks--locked-note.png)

- Separate from passcode
- No video
- iOS 14+

Put photos in a note and lock it with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode.

- **Setup:** 1 min
- **Level:** 3/4
- **Steps:** 3
- **Cost:** Built in

**Quick answer:** Put photos in a note and lock it with a notes password that can differ from your iPhone passcode. **Best for:** a handful of photos behind a password your partner or family doesn't know. **The gap:** No video, audio or PDFs. The note title shows. A forgotten custom password can't be recovered.

3 steps

## How to set it up

1. **Put the photos in a note.** Open **Notes**, start a new note and add the photos with the camera or attachment button.
2. **Tap ••• then Lock.** In the note, tap the **More** button (•••), then **Lock**. Choose your iPhone passcode or a separate notes password (iOS 16 and later).
3. **Delete the originals.** Delete the photos from Photos, then open **Recently Deleted** and delete them there too.

At a glance

## Locked note: the facts

|  | Locked note |
| --- | --- |
| Opens with | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) |
| Separate from your passcode | Yes |
| Holds video | No |
| Several private spaces | Yes |
| Decoy for pressure | No |
| Protects stored photos | Yes |
| What others can see | The note title, with a lock icon |
| If you forget it | Apple can't recover a custom notes password |
| Needs | iOS 14+ |
| Setup time | 1 min |
| Cost | Built in, free |

Level 3Locked note

1. Short-term

2. Your passcode

3. Own password

4. Own lock + decoy

What this does not do

- No video, audio or PDFs. The note title shows. A forgotten custom password can't be recovered.

> 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

Compare

## Locked note vs the others

- [Hidden album vs Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)
- [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/)

Is your photo locked now?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Stronger: Vault (VaultForYou)Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)

Find your fix:

- [Option missingCheck your iPhone model](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/iphone/)
- [Forgot a passwordWhat you can do](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/forgot-notes-password/)
- [Not sure which lockCompare them](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/)

Questions

## Locked note: questions

### What opens the locked note?

A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+). It is separate from your iPhone passcode, so knowing your passcode isn't enough.

### What does the locked note not protect?

No video, audio or PDFs. The note title shows. A forgotten custom password can't be recovered.

### Can the locked note hold videos?

No. Apple doesn't let you lock notes with video, audio or PDF attachments. Use the Hidden album or a vault for videos.

### What if I forget the locked note?

Apple can't recover a custom notes password.

## Other locks

- [Hidden album lockUtilities › Hidden](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)
- [Photos app lockRequire Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/photos-app/)
- [Guided AccessTriple-click](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/)
- [Vault (VaultForYou)Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)