# Do locked apps show in Search or Siri suggestions?

> No. Apple keeps information inside a locked app out of iPhone Search and Siri suggestions on iOS 18 and later. What that means for a locked Photos app.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-search-siri/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Photos app menu with Require Face ID highlighted](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--locked-app-search-siri.png)

- Answer: No

Locking Photos also keeps your pictures out of the search you open from the Home Screen.

**Short answer:** **No, not their contents.** Apple says information inside a locked app **won't appear in search or Siri suggestions**. Lock **Photos** with **Require Face ID** and its pictures stay out of iPhone Search. The app itself still opens from its icon after Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **iPhone Search**App content kept out
- **Siri suggestions**Kept out
- **Opening the app**Your passcode works
- **Other devices**Lock doesn't sync

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple's Lock or hide an app page lists **search** and **Siri suggestions** among the places a locked app's information won't appear.

That makes **Require Face ID on Photos** more than a door lock: someone searching from the Home Screen can't pull up your pictures.

Without locking, iPhone Search can find images in your photo library, and each app can be removed from Search under **Settings › Search** (iOS 18 and later).

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 | Locked apps keep content out of Search and Siri suggestions. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Locked apps keep content out of Search and Siri suggestions. |
| 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 Photos app (iOS 18 and later)

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.

> 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 in Search & Siri: questions

### Do photos show in Spotlight if the Photos app is locked?

Apple says information inside a locked app won't appear in search or Siri suggestions. Lock Photos with Require Face ID on iOS 18 or later and its pictures are kept out of the search you open from the Home Screen. Opening Photos still needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

### Which apps can't be locked on iPhone?

Apple lists Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts and Settings among built-in apps that can't be locked. Photos, Notes and Messages can be. Built-in apps can't be hidden at all; only apps you download from the App Store can.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/ios)
- [Search on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph3c511548/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Lock the Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/photos-app/)
- [Lock Photos: guide](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/lock-photos-app-iphone/)
- [Hidden album vs Photos lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-photos-app/)

## 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 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/)
- [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/)