# Is a locked app also locked on my iPad?

> No. Apple says a locked or hidden app is locked only on the device where you set it; the status doesn't sync with iCloud. Lock the app again on each device.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-on-ipad-and-mac/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photos app menu with Require Touch ID on a device with a Home button](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--locked-app-on-ipad-and-mac.png)

- Answer: Not locked there

Require Face ID is a setting on one device, not on your Apple Account.

**Short answer:** **No.** Apple says that when you lock or hide an app, **it's only locked or hidden on that device**, and the status **doesn't sync with iCloud**. Lock **Photos** on your iPhone and it still opens freely on your iPad. Lock it again on each device, and remember the photos themselves still sync.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **This iPhone**Locked
- **Your iPad**Not locked
- **Synced photos**Still sync to iPad
- **Hidden apps**Hidden on one device only

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple states it in both the iPhone User Guide and the Personal Safety guide: the locked or hidden status of an app **doesn't sync with iCloud**.

Your data is a different matter. iCloud Photos keeps the library in sync, so locking Photos on the iPhone does nothing for the same pictures on an iPad that someone else uses.

For pictures that must stay locked on every device, use a lock that travels with them, like a note with a custom password.

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 | Lock status set per device; doesn't sync with iCloud. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Lock status set per device; doesn't sync with iCloud. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | No Require Face ID: app locking arrived in iOS 18. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | No Require Face ID: app locking arrived in iOS 18. |

3 steps

## Lock the app on the other device too

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 Touch ID.** Tap **Require Touch ID**. iOS 18 or later.
3. **Confirm with Touch ID.** Confirm with Touch ID or your passcode. From now on the app asks before it opens.

> 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

## Locked apps on other devices: questions

### If I lock Photos on my iPhone, is it locked on my iPad?

No. Apple says a locked or hidden app is locked or hidden only on the device where you set it, and the status doesn't sync with iCloud. Touch and hold Photos on the iPad and choose Require Face ID or Require Touch ID there too.

### Do hidden apps stay hidden on all my devices?

No. Hiding works per device, like locking. An app hidden on your iPhone appears normally on your iPad unless you hide it there as well. Only apps downloaded from the App Store can be hidden, and on each device they go to the Hidden folder in App Library.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/ios)
- [Lock or hide apps on your iPhone (Personal Safety)](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)

## Go deeper

- [Lock the Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/photos-app/)
- [Locked noteLock that syncs](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [App Library](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/app-library/)

## 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/)
- [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/)
- [Hidden album lock on Mac & iCloud.comDifferent locks](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud/)
- [Vault photos in PhotosUntil you delete](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/vault-photos-in-photos-app/)