Are hidden photos really hidden on iPhone?

They are removed from the main grid and can require Face ID, but they stay in your library and iCloud sync. Anyone with your passcode and knowledge of the setting can reveal the album.

Do vaulted photos survive deleting the app?

Vault contents live in the app’s protected storage — deleting the app deletes them. Export anything you want back in the gallery before removing a vault app.

Can I hide videos the same way?

Yes — both the Hidden album and Star Cleaner’s vault accept videos as well as photos.

How to Hide Photos on Your Phone Properly (iPhone and Android)

Published 2026-09-04 · Star Cleaner

The built-in option: the Hidden album

1.iPhone: open the photo, tap the ⋯ menu, choose Hide. The Hidden album lives in Photos under Utilities (in Collections on current iOS, under Albums on older versions), requires Face ID by default, and can be made invisible in the Photos settings.
2.Android: most gallery apps offer a Locked Folder or Hidden album — long-press a photo and look for Move to Locked Folder (name varies by manufacturer).

What does the Hidden album not protect?

Hidden photos remain part of your photo library: they sync to the same cloud account, appear in some picker flows, and are one setting away from visible. Hiding is presentation, not separation — fine for tidiness, thin for privacy.

What a real photo vault adds

Photos move out of the gallery into the vault app’s own encrypted storage.
Opening requires biometrics (Face ID / fingerprint) every time.
Vaulted media leaves the gallery’s cloud sync — it stays only where you put it.
Imports are verified before the gallery copy is removed, so nothing can be lost in the move.

On-device is the point

A vault that uploads your private photos to someone’s server defeats its purpose. Star Cleaner’s Secret Vault on iPhone and Android keeps everything on the device — import, storage, and viewing all happen locally, behind biometrics, with the original removed from the gallery only after the vault copy is verified.

Frequently asked questions

Are hidden photos really hidden on iPhone?: They are removed from the main grid and can require Face ID, but they stay in your library and iCloud sync. Anyone with your passcode and knowledge of the setting can reveal the album.
Do vaulted photos survive deleting the app?: Vault contents live in the app’s protected storage — deleting the app deletes them. Export anything you want back in the gallery before removing a vault app.
Can I hide videos the same way?: Yes — both the Hidden album and Star Cleaner’s vault accept videos as well as photos.