August 21, 2020, 8:36 am | Read time: 3 minutes
In this series, TECHBOOK presents the best iPhone hacks and tricks–complete with video and detailed instructions.
The iPhone has undergone a long evolution since its launch in 2007. Over the years, Apple has continually expanded the iOS operating system, often adding small and large, sometimes well-hidden features. In the “iPhone Hacks” series, TECHBOOK showcases the best and most practical of these features.
In Part 15, you’ll learn how to protect individual photos in your gallery from prying eyes. There are three methods available, so you have options.
How It Works
Method 1: Hide Photos in Notes
1. Open the Photos app
2. Press and hold the photo you want to hide until the drop-down menu appears
3. Tap Copy
4. Press and hold in the Notes app until the pop-up menu appears and select the New Note option
5. Tap anywhere in the blank field and select the Paste option in the pop-up menu (Tip: You can copy multiple photos into a note, just repeat the process)
6. Switch back to the Photos app
7. Press and hold the photo you just copied until the pop-up menu appears
8. Select Delete from Library and confirm with another tap
Restore Photos to the Photo App
1. To restore the image, reopen the note with the copied image
2. Tap the image to enlarge it
3. Tap the Share icon (square with an upward arrow)
4. Select Save Image from the menu, and the image will reappear in your Photos
Pro Tip: Protect Photos in Notes with a Password
To further protect your photos from prying eyes, you can also secure them with a password
1. Open Settings and go to Password under Notes
2. Select the Password option and enter the password in the prompt, and choose whether to enable Face ID
3. Tap Done, ignore the prompt recommending a password hint, and tap Done again
4. Go to the Notes app and hold the note with the photo(s)
5. Select the Lock Note option
6. Enter the password, and confirm with OK
7. The note and its content preview are now locked and can only be opened with the password or Face ID
Method 2: Disguise Photos
1. Open the Photos app
2. Tap the photo you want to disguise
3. Tap Edit and select the crop and rotate function (bottom of the screen, first icon from the right)
4. Crop the image to an inconspicuous section (for example, a small area on one side)
5. Tap the checkmark icon
Restore Original Photos
1. To restore the photo, go back to the Photos app and navigate to the Albums tab
2. Click on the photo you want to restore
3. Tap Revert to Original to restore the original image
Method 3: Hide Photos
1. Open the Photos app
2. Tap the photo you want to hide
3. Tap the Share icon at the bottom left (square with an upward arrow)
4. Select Hide from the menu
5. Confirm with Hide
How to Unhide Photos in the Gallery
1. To restore the photo, go to the Photos app and navigate to the Albums tab
2. Go to the Hidden section under Other Albums
3. Tap the photo you want to restore and press the Unhide option