Are you concerned about the privacy of your photos on your iPhone? Luckily, you can easily lock your photos without downloading any additional apps. Here are some ways to keep your photos safe and secure.
Create a Private Album
One way to lock your photos is to create a private album within the Photos app. To do this, select the photos you want to lock and tap on the “Share” icon. Then, select “Add to Album” and create a new album. Make sure to turn on the “Private” option so that the album requires a password to access.
Hide Photos
You can also hide photos within the Photos app. To do this, select the photos you want to hide and tap on the “Share” icon. Then, select “Hide” and confirm. The photos will be moved to the “Hidden” album, which is not visible in the Photos app unless you go to the “Albums” tab and select “Hidden”.
Use Guided Access
If you want to lock a specific photo rather than an entire album, you can use Guided Access. Go to “Settings”> “Accessibility”> “Guided Access” and turn it on. Then, open the Photos app, select the photo you want to lock, and triple-click the home button to enter Guided Access mode. From there, you can use a passcode to lock the photo and prevent anyone from exiting Guided Access.
Turn on Restrictions
You can also turn on Restrictions to lock all photos and other apps on your iPhone. Go to “Settings”> “Screen Time”> “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and turn it on. Then, select “Allowed Apps” and turn off the toggle next to “Photos”. This will hide the Photos app on your home screen and prevent anyone from accessing your photos.
Use Touch ID or Face ID
If your iPhone has Touch ID or Face ID, you can use these features to lock your photos. Go to “Settings”> “Privacy”> “Photos” and turn on “Require Face ID/Touch ID”. Then, select the photos you want to lock and tap on “Done”. Now, only you can access these photos using either Touch ID or Face ID.
FAQ
Can I lock individual photos without creating a private album?
Yes, you can use Guided Access to lock individual photos. Follow the steps listed above in the “Use Guided Access” section.
What happens if I forget my passcode for the private album?
If you forget your passcode for the private album, you will need to reset your iPhone to factory settings in order to access your photos again. Make sure to back up your photos before doing this.
Can I still use my locked photos in third-party apps?
Yes, you can still use your locked photos in third-party apps as long as you unlock them first. When you select a locked photo in another app, you will be prompted to enter your passcode or use Touch ID/Face ID to unlock it.
Will my locked photos be backed up to iCloud?
Yes, your locked photos will be backed up to iCloud as long as you have iCloud Photo Library turned on. However, they will still require a password or Touch ID/Face ID to access.
Can I still take screenshots of locked photos?
Yes, you can still take screenshots of locked photos. However, these screenshots will not be locked and can be accessed by anyone who has access to your iPhone.
Can I use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock individual photos?
No, Touch ID and Face ID can only be used to unlock the entire Photos app or a private album. You cannot use these features to unlock individual photos.
What happens if I turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions?
If you turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions, all locked photos and apps will become accessible again. Make sure to turn on this feature if you want to keep your photos locked.
Can I still delete locked photos?
Yes, you can still delete locked photos by unlocking them first. However, you will need to enter your passcode or use Touch ID/Face ID to do so.
Pros
Locking your photos on iPhone without an app is easy and convenient since it doesn’t require any additional downloads or purchases. You can use built-in features like Guided Access, Private Albums, and Touch ID/Face ID to keep your photos secure. Plus, you can still use your locked photos in third-party apps as long as you unlock them first.
Tips
Make sure to regularly back up your locked photos to iCloud or another cloud storage service to prevent data loss. Also, try to use a unique and complex passcode or password to keep your photos even more secure.
Summary
Locking your photos on iPhone without an app is easy and can be done using built-in features like Guided Access, Private Albums, and Touch ID/Face ID. Make sure to regularly back up your photos, use a complex passcode or password, and turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to keep your photos secure.