# Lock the Photos app with Face ID

> Require Face ID makes the whole Photos app ask for Face ID before it opens. iOS 18 and later. Once you open Photos to show one picture, the whole library is.

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

![Photos app lock on an iPhone screen](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/locks--photos-app.png)

- Opens with your passcode
- Videos too
- iOS 18+

Require Face ID makes the whole Photos app ask for Face ID before it opens. iOS 18 and later.

- **Setup:** 10 sec
- **Level:** 2/4
- **Steps:** 3
- **Cost:** Built in

**Quick answer:** Require Face ID makes the whole Photos app ask for Face ID before it opens. iOS 18 and later. **Best for:** keeping people out of your whole library when they borrow your phone. **The gap:** Once you open Photos to show one picture, the whole library is open. Your passcode unlocks it.

3 steps

## How to set it up

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.

At a glance

## Photos app lock: the facts

|  | Photos app lock |
| --- | --- |
| Opens with | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode |
| Separate from your passcode | No |
| Holds video | Yes |
| Several private spaces | No |
| Decoy for pressure | No |
| Protects stored photos | Yes |
| What others can see | The Photos icon stays on your Home Screen |
| If you forget it | Reset your iPhone passcode |
| Needs | iOS 18+ |
| Setup time | 10 sec |
| Cost | Built in, free |

Level 2Photos app lock

1. Short-term

2. Your passcode

3. Own password

4. Own lock + decoy

What this does not do

- Once you open Photos to show one picture, the whole library is open. Your passcode unlocks it.

> 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

## Photos app vs the others

- [Hidden album vs Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-photos-app/)
- [Photos app vs Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-locked-note/)
- [Photos app vs Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-guided-access/)
- [Photos app vs Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-vault/)

Is your photo locked now?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Stronger: Locked noteNotes › ••• › Lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [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

## Photos app lock: questions

### What opens the photos app lock?

Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode. Anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open it.

### What does the photos app lock not protect?

Once you open Photos to show one picture, the whole library is open. Your passcode unlocks it.

### Can the photos app lock hold videos?

Yes. Videos work the same as photos with this lock.

### What if I forget the photos app lock?

Reset your iPhone passcode.

## Other locks

- [Hidden album lockUtilities › Hidden](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)
- [Locked noteNotes › ••• › Lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [Guided AccessTriple-click](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/)
- [Vault (VaultForYou)Drawn pattern](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)