# Does the Hidden album lock work on Mac and iCloud.com?

> Not the same lock. On a Mac the Hidden album opens with Touch ID or the login password; on iCloud.com, after Apple Account sign-in. Face ID isn't involved.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Hidden album asking for Touch ID, as on a Mac](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud.png)

- Answer: Different locks

The Use Face ID switch on your iPhone locks your iPhone. Other places use their own gate.

**Short answer:** **Not the iPhone's lock.** On a **Mac** (macOS Ventura and later) the synced Hidden album opens with **Touch ID or the login password**, and is off by default. On **iCloud.com** Apple's steps are to select **Hidden**, then **Show Hidden Photos**, after you sign in. Neither uses your iPhone's Face ID or passcode.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **iPhone**Face ID or passcode
- **Mac**Touch ID or login password
- **iCloud.com**Apple Account sign-in
- **Use Face ID switch**Only on that iPhone

Why

## Why it works this way

The Hidden album syncs with iCloud Photos, and each place opens it its own way. Apple lists iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura as the versions where the album locks by default.

On a Mac, Apple keeps the album **off by default**; once shown, it unlocks with **Touch ID or your login password**.

On iCloud.com there is no device lock: you select Hidden in the sidebar, then Show Hidden Photos. Your Apple Account password is the lock there.

By iOS version

## What changed across iOS versions

**Newest version first. Check yours in Settings › General › About.**

| Version | Released | What you see |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iOS 26 | September 15, 2025 | iPhone lock on by default (Settings › Apps › Photos › Use Face ID); Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | iPhone lock on by default (Settings › Apps › Photos › Use Face ID); Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | iPhone lock on by default (Settings › Photos › Use Face ID); Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | iPhone lock on by default (Settings › Photos › Use Face ID); Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | No lock on iPhone; Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | No lock on iPhone; Mac and iCloud.com use their own. |

3 steps

## Check the lock on your iPhone first

1. **Open Settings › Apps › Photos.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, then **Photos**.
2. **Turn on Use Face ID.** Switch **Use Face ID** on. iPhones without Face ID show **Use Passcode** instead.
3. **Test the lock.** Open Photos, go to Utilities and tap Hidden. It should ask you to unlock before showing anything.

> A lock that covers the photo, not just the appVaultForYou 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

## Hidden album lock on Mac & iCloud.com: questions

### Is the Hidden album locked on iCloud.com?

Not with Face ID. On iCloud.com, Apple's steps are to sign in, select Hidden in the sidebar and choose Show Hidden Photos. Your Apple Account password is what protects it there, so anyone signed in to your account in a browser can open your hidden photos.

### What unlocks the Hidden album on a Mac?

On macOS Ventura and later, Touch ID or your Mac login password. The album is off by default on a Mac; someone has to choose View › Show Hidden Photo Album first. The Use Face ID switch on your iPhone has no effect on the Mac.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Hide photos with the Hidden album](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104987)
- [Hide your photos and videos on iCloud.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/mmea67686c65/icloud)
- [If you're missing photos or videos in the Photos app](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118558)

## Go deeper

- [Hidden album lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/)
- [Hidden album vs locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)
- [Locked notes on iCloud.com](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-icloud-com/)

## More: do locked items show…?

- [Note photos in PhotosCan, by copy](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/note-photos-in-photos-app/)
- [Locked notes in searchTitle only](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-in-search/)
- [Locked note titlesYes](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-note-title/)
- [Locked notes on iCloud.comCustom password only](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-icloud-com/)
- [Locked notes on iPad and MacYes, still locked](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-other-devices/)
- [Locked app notificationsNo previews](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-notifications/)
- [Locked apps in Search & SiriNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-search-siri/)
- [Locked apps on other devicesNot locked there](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-on-ipad-and-mac/)
- [Hidden app namesYes, in places](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-app-names/)
- [CarPlay & call historyNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-carplay-call-history/)
- [Vault photos in PhotosUntil you delete](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/vault-photos-in-photos-app/)