What’s the point of hiding media files in the Photos app if other people with access to your device can see them? That was apparently the goal of Apple’s upgrade to Photos in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura. By default, any items you choose to hide in your library and Recently Deleted album require Touch ID, Face ID, or a device/account password to view.
Use Photos settings in macOS to turn off the option to lock hidden and recently deleted albums.
Use Photos settings in macOS to turn off the option to lock hidden and recently deleted albums.
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Use Photos settings in macOS to turn off the option to lock hidden and recently deleted albums.
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Foundry
If you let your kids, roommates, parents, or others access the same Mac account, or if you sometimes hand your phone over to someone without supervision, having locked protection for these albums is a plus. However, if you’re a solo operator of your own hardware, you can turn this feature off.
In Photos for macOS, choose Photos > Settings > General and uncheck, Use Touch ID or password. In iOS/iPadOS, go to Settings > Pictures and disable Use Touch ID/Face ID.
Select one or more images, then you can choose to hide (or show) them.
Select one or more images, then you can choose to hide (or show) them.
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Select one or more images, then you can choose to hide (or show) them.
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Foundry
If you’re wondering where the Hidden album is, by the way, it’s… hidden:
- On macOS, choose View > Show hidden photo album to display it in the sidebar. You can hide or show media by first selecting one or more items and Control-clicking or right-clicking them, or by first selecting multiple items and choosing Hide or Show number Photo/Video/Article(s).
- In iOS/iPadOS, go to Settings > Pictures and activate Show hidden albumTo hide or show a picture or video in the Photos album, tap it, then tap the More button (…) in the upper-right corner, then tap Hide Or Display. You can also press Select In an album or gallery view, select multiple items, then tap the More button (…) in the lower right corner and, similarly, tap Hide Or Display.
The hidden album in Photos for Mac, revealed.
The hidden album in Photos for Mac, revealed.
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The hidden album in Photos for Mac, revealed.
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Foundry
This Mac 911 article is a response to a question submitted by igamesnews reader Cynthia.
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