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iPhone User Guide

Delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone

In the Photos app 👁 Image
, you can delete photos and videos from your iPhone or hide them in the Hidden album. You can also recover photos you recently deleted. Photos you delete and hide are saved in the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums, which you unlock using your iPhone authentication method.

When you use iCloud Photos on iPhone, any photos you delete or hide are synced across your other devices.

Delete or hide a photo or video

Tap a photo or video, then do either of the following:

  • Delete: Tap 👁 the Delete button
    to delete a photo from your iPhone and other devices using the same iCloud Photos account.

    Deleted photos and videos are kept in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days, where you can recover or permanently remove them from all devices.

  • Hide: Tap 👁 the More button
    ,     then tap Hide in the list of options.

    Hidden photos are moved to the Hidden album. You can’t view them anywhere else.

    To turn off the Hidden album so it doesn’t appear in Albums, go to Settings 👁 Image
     > Photos, then turn off Hidden Album.

    Tip: If you accidentally delete or hide a photo or video, shake your iPhone (within 8 minutes), then tap Undo Delete or Undo Hide.

Delete or hide multiple photos and videos

While viewing photos in an album or in the Days or All Photos view in your library, do either of the following:

  • Delete: Tap Select, tap or drag your finger on the screen to select the items you want to delete, then tap 👁 the Delete button
    .

  • Hide: Tap Select, tap or drag your finger on the screen to select the items you want to hide, tap 👁 the More button
    ,     then tap Hide.

Recover or permanently delete deleted photos

To recover deleted photos, or to permanently delete them, do the following:

  1. Tap Albums, then tap Recently Deleted under Utilities.

  2. Tap Select, then choose the photos and videos you want to recover or delete.

  3. Choose Recover or Delete at the bottom of the screen.

Unlock Recently Deleted and Hidden albums

The Recently Deleted and Hidden albums are locked by default. You unlock these albums using your iPhone authentication method—Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

To change the default setting from locked to unlocked, go to Settings 👁 Image
 > Photos, then turn off Use Passcode.

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