Do Hidden Photos Go to iCloud?

ByJim Miller

Hidden photos on your iPhone or iPad are stored in iCloud if you have iCloud Photos enabled in Settings.

However, Apple keeps your hidden images in a separate, private album not visible in your iCloud Photos library.

Only you can access hidden photos on iCloud through the Hidden Album.

Do Hidden Photos Go to iCloud?
Do Hidden Photos Go to iCloud?

Where Exactly Are Hidden Photos Stored in iCloud?

When you hide images in the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, Apple transfers them from your Camera Roll into a Hidden album.

This Hidden section still exists within Photos but remains locked behind Face ID or Touch ID authentication.

If you sync your photo library to iCloud, your hidden photos get copied up to Apple's cloud servers along with the rest of your pictures.

However, hidden photos don't appear mixed in with the main Moments, Collections, and Years tabs in your iCloud Photos account.

Instead, Apple tucks away hidden photos out of sight in their own private Hidden album, identical to the one on your devices.

Only by entering your iCloud credentials and digging into this buried album can you access hidden photos stored in iCloud.

How to Find Your Hidden iCloud Photos

How to Find Your Hidden iCloud Photos
How to Find Your Hidden iCloud Photos

Want confirmation your secret photo stash did transfer to iCloud as expected? Or need to download hidden photos to a new iPhone?

Follow these steps to unlock the Hidden album and view hidden photos on iCloud from a Mac or PC:

  1. Go to icloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
  2. Click the Photos icon to launch iCloud Photos.
  3. Click Albums in the sidebar.
  4. Scroll down and select the Hidden album.
  5. Enter your Apple ID password to unlock the album.
  6. View and download your hidden photos as needed.
  7. Turn Off iCloud Photo Syncing

Here is how to toggle off iCloud Photo Library syncing:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone > [Your Name].
  2. Tap iCloud > Photos.
  3. Turn the iCloud Photos switch OFF.
  4. With this setting disabled, new photos won’t upload to iCloud until you turn syncing back on.

Use Third-Party Apps to Back Up Photos

Want the privacy benefits of hiding photos on your iPhone, but also want a backup in case you lose your device?

A third-party app like AnyTrans lets you selectively back up photos to lock them safely away on your computer.

AnyTrans maintains hidden photo privacy with encrypted local backups, while still ensuring you have a copy of precious memories should you ever need them.

You can password protect backups for an extra layer of security.

Some Notes

  1. Hidden photos on your iPhone or iPad are stored in iCloud if you have iCloud Photos enabled.
  2. Apple keeps your hidden photos private in a separate Hidden album requiring your iCloud password to access.
  3. You can view and download hidden iCloud photos by unlocking the Hidden album at icloud.com
  4. Turn off iCloud Photo Library syncing if you don't want hidden photos in the cloud.
  5. Use a third-party app like AnyTrans to back up hidden iPhone photos securely to your computer.