Why there's no separate password
Apple ties the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums to device authentication. That keeps things simple, but it means anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open them.
What you can do in Photos
- Hide the Hidden album from the sidebar: Settings → Apps → Photos → turn off Show Hidden Album.
- Lock the Photos app: touch and hold its icon → Require Face ID.
Both still fall back to your device passcode.
A real separate code
A vault app gives photos their own unlock. In VaultBolt you choose a pattern, PIN or passphrase that's different from your iPhone passcode, and you can add a decoy code that opens a harmless vault. Move the photos in, then use the clean-up so the originals don't stay in Hidden or Recently Deleted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off Face ID for the Hidden album?
Yes. In Settings, Apps, Photos, you can turn off Use Face ID (or Use Passcode), which unlocks the album without authentication. That makes it less private, not more.
Can I lock individual photos on iPhone?
Not in Photos. You can hide them or lock the whole Photos app. For per-item protection, use a vault.
