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How to Hide Photos on Your Mac
Hiding a photo on your Mac takes one menu click. Here is how to do it, how to lock the Hidden album, and what it does and does not protect against.
How to hide a photo on a Mac
- Open the Photos app and click the photo or video you want to hide.
- Choose Image → Hide Photo from the menu bar (or Control-click the photo and pick Hide Photo, or press ⌘L).
- Confirm Hide Photo. It moves to the Hidden album and leaves your main library and Memories.
To hide several at once, ⌘-click to select them, then Image → Hide Photos.
Lock the Hidden album on macOS
On macOS Ventura and later, the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are locked by default. To confirm, open Photos → Settings → General and make sure Use Touch ID or password is on. Now the album won't open without you.
You can also remove it from the sidebar: View → Hide Hidden Photo Album (switch it back with View → Show Hidden Photo Album).
Find and hide private photos on Mac, in bulk
NoodBank scans your library on-device and hides your private photos into Apple’s Hidden album, all at once. Nothing is uploaded, and it never copies your files.
Get NoodBank — $4.99What it protects against (and what it doesn't)
Like on iPhone, the Mac Hidden album is ideal for the everyday case: someone glances at your screen or scrolls your library and your hidden photos simply aren't in the main grid. It's a known, built-in location though, so it isn't a secret vault against someone determined to dig through your Mac while it's unlocked.
It also syncs: with iCloud Photos on, hiding on your Mac hides on your iPhone and iPad too.
FAQ
Where do hidden photos go on a Mac?
Into the Hidden album, which appears under Albums in the Photos sidebar (unlock it with Touch ID). The photos leave your main library but are not deleted.
Does hiding on Mac hide on my iPhone too?
Yes, if iCloud Photos is on. The hidden state syncs across all your devices.
How do I unhide on a Mac?
Open the Hidden album, select the photo, then choose Image → Unhide Photo (or Control-click → Unhide). It returns to your library.