Lock Hidden Photos with Touch ID on macOS 13

Yes, you can lock both the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums with Touch ID in macOS 13 Ventura. Apple introduced this privacy feature to automatically lock these sensitive albums by default, requiring biometric authentication via Touch ID or your Mac’s login password to view their contents. This guide explains how this feature functions and how to ensure it is enabled in your Photos settings.

How Album Locking Works in macOS 13

Starting with macOS 13 Ventura, the Photos app automatically places a lock icon next to both the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums in the sidebar. When you click on either album, the contents remain hidden until you authenticate. If your Mac features a Touch ID sensor (or if you are using a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID), you can simply rest your finger on the sensor to instantly reveal the photos. If Touch ID is unavailable or your Mac model lacks the sensor, you can enter your Mac user login password instead.

How to Enable or Verify the Feature

While the feature is enabled automatically after upgrading to or installing macOS 13, you can verify or toggle the setting using the following steps:

  1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Photos and select Settings (or press Command + ,).
  3. Click the General tab.
  4. Locate the Privacy section.
  5. Check the box next to Use Touch ID or password.

Once selected, both the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums will immediately require Touch ID or your account password whenever you access them.

How to Hide the Album Completely

If you want an extra layer of privacy beyond the Touch ID lock, you can hide the album from appearing in the Photos sidebar altogether. In the same Settings > General menu, uncheck the box labeled Show Hidden Album. The album will disappear from view, and you can re-enable the checkbox whenever you need to access your hidden photos with Touch ID.