Hidden Folder vs the Photos Hidden Album
The Photos Hidden album removes pictures from view and, Apple says, is locked by default. Apple says hidden photos are not deleted and stay in your library. Its page covers photos and videos. Hidden Folder is planned as a separate vault for any file type that is not tied to your Photos library, and it is not released.
A lock on your library, or a separate encrypted store?
Verdict. The Hidden album keeps photos in your Photos library. A separate vault is planned to keep files outside it.
Pick Photos Hidden album if
- You want to hide pictures inside the Photos app.
- You already use Photos.
Pick Hidden Folder if
- You want pictures out of your Photos library.
- You also need PDFs, scans and other files.
- You want a recovery phrase and hidden vaults.
| Feature | Hidden Folder | Photos Hidden album |
|---|---|---|
| Native Mac app | ✓native macOS app, planned. Needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later | ✓part of the Photos app on Mac, per Apple |
| Encrypts file contents | ✓AES-256-GCM, planned. Not yet audited | –Apple says the album is locked by default. It does not say the photos are encrypted |
| Encrypts file names | ✓planned. Files get random names on disk, and metadata is encrypted | –not described on Apple's Hidden album page |
| Works without an account | ✓planned. No account | –not described on Apple's Hidden album page |
| Source code is open | ◐planned as open source (GPL-3.0). The source is not public yet | –not stated on Apple's Hidden album page |
| Pattern unlock | ✓planned. 5×5 pattern | ✕Apple describes a password or Touch ID to unlock the album |
| Several hidden vaults, no list | ✓planned. Each pattern opens its own vault, with no vault list | –Apple describes one Hidden album that you can show or hide |
| Duress mode | ◐planned for v1.1, paid plan | –not described on Apple's Hidden album page |
| Encrypted cloud backup | ◐encrypted iCloud backup, planned for v1.0 | –not described on Apple's Hidden album page |
| Analytics off by default | ✓planned. Off by default, opt-in | –not applicable |
| Free to use | ◐a free tier and a paid plan are planned. Prices not final | ✓part of the Photos app on Mac. Apple's page lists no separate price |
Hidden Folder describes planned behaviour from its public spec. The app is not released. Facts about Photos Hidden album were checked on Oct 30, 2026 against its own page. Not affiliated with Photos Hidden album. Marks: yes, no, partly, not stated.
What Apple says
Apple says the selected photos disappear from view but are not deleted, and that they remain in your library. Apple says that by default the Hidden album is locked and hidden from view. If you do not want it to require a password or Touch ID to unlock it, you can change that setting.
The practical gap
- Apple says the Hidden album can require a password or Touch ID to unlock, and that you can change that setting.
- Apple says hidden photos remain in your Photos library.
- Apple's page is about photos and videos. It does not describe other file types.
Guide: hide photos on Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hidden album encrypted?
Apple describes it as locked by default. The page does not say the photos are encrypted.
Do hidden photos leave my library?
No. Apple says hidden photos are not deleted and remain in your library. The page does not discuss iCloud Photos.
Can I hide the Hidden album itself?
Yes. In Photos you can choose View > Hide Hidden Photo Album, per Apple.
References
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