MaxVault vs the Hidden album
Short answer
The Hidden album is built in and free, and since iOS 16 it’s locked with Face ID or your iPhone passcode. But it opens for anyone who knows that passcode, holds only photos and videos, and offers no folder locks, decoy or break-in alerts. MaxVault adds a separate passcode, separate vaults, locked folders and break-in photos, for every kind of file.
At a glance
| Feature |  The Hidden album |  MaxVault |
|---|---|---|
| Separate passcode from your iPhone | Uses your iPhone passcode | |
| Face ID or Touch ID | ||
| Locks individual folders | ||
| Separate vaults and a decoy | ||
| Photo of whoever enters a wrong passcode | Yes, with location | |
| Panic Action | ||
| Documents, audio and any other file | Photos and videos | |
| Plays MKV, AVI, WMV and FLAC | ||
| Blur faces, redact and remove location | Location only, when sharing | |
| Syncs with iCloud Photos | No, stays on the device | |
| Built into iOS, nothing to install |
The Hidden album details are from the Photos app in current iOS, checked October 22, 2026. “Not listed” means it isn’t mentioned there.
Where the Hidden album is stronger
- Nothing to install. It’s already in the Photos app, and it’s free.
- iCloud sync. With iCloud Photos on, hidden photos follow you to your other Apple devices.
- Good enough for casual privacy. Hiding a photo keeps it out of the library, Memories and widgets.
Where MaxVault is stronger
- A passcode your partner, kids or coworkers don’t know. Knowing your iPhone passcode isn’t enough to open MaxVault.
- Layers. Lock individual folders, keep separate vaults, and show a decoy if you’re pressured to open it.
- It tells you who tried. Break-in reports photograph whoever enters a wrong passcode.
- Every kind of file, with a media player, editor and private browser built in.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hidden album if
You just want a few photos out of your main library, and nobody else knows your iPhone passcode.
Choose MaxVault if
Someone else knows or might guess your iPhone passcode, or you want to lock documents, videos and folders separately.