# Do photos in a locked note show in the Photos app?

> They can. Photos you add from your library stay in Photos until deleted, and photos taken in Notes go to Photos if Save to Photos is on. How to check both.

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

![Notes settings with Save to Photos highlighted](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--note-photos-in-photos-app.png)

- Answer: Can, by copy

Locking the note locks the note. The Photos app may still hold a copy of the same picture.

**Short answer:** **They can.** A photo you add to a note from your library is a **copy**; the original stays in Photos until you delete it and clear **Recently Deleted**. Photos you **take inside Notes** are also saved to Photos when **Save to Photos** is on in **Settings › Apps › Notes**. Locking the note doesn't touch either copy.

The answer

## What the note lock covers

- **Photo inside the note**Locked
- **Original in your library**Still in Photos
- **Camera shots in Notes**Saved if Save to Photos is on
- **Recently Deleted**30 days after deleting

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple lists **Save to Photos** in Notes settings: it saves photos and videos **taken in Notes** to the Photos app. If it is on, the camera shot you put straight into a note also lands in your library, unlocked.

Adding a photo from your library to a note doesn't move it. The original stays in Photos, and after you delete it Apple keeps it in **Recently Deleted for 30 days**.

The note lock itself is strong: Apple says locked notes use end-to-end encryption for iCloud accounts. It only covers what is inside the note.

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 | Save to Photos: Settings › Apps › Notes. Notes lock with a custom password or your device passcode. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Save to Photos: Settings › Apps › Notes. Notes lock with a custom password or your device passcode. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | Notes lock with a custom password or your device passcode. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | Notes lock with a custom password or your device passcode. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | Notes lock with a custom notes password only. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | Notes lock with a custom notes password only. |

3 steps

## Lock the photo in a note and remove every other copy

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.

> 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

## Note photos in Photos: questions

### If I lock a note with photos, are they hidden from Photos?

No. Locking protects the note only. Photos you added from your library are still in Photos until you delete them and clear Recently Deleted, and photos taken inside Notes are saved to Photos when Save to Photos is on in Notes settings. Remove those copies for the lock to matter.

### How do I stop Notes saving photos to my camera roll?

Open Settings, tap Apps, then Notes, and turn off Save to Photos. Apple describes it as saving photos and videos taken in Notes to the Photos app. With it off, a photo you take from inside a note stays only in that note.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Change your Notes settings on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph92579feda/ios)
- [How to lock or unlock notes on your iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102537)
- [Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb4defbde9/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Locked noteHow the lock works](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [Lock notes on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/lock-notes-iphone/)
- [Hidden album vs locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)

## More: do locked items show…?

- [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/)
- [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/)