iOS18.4 vs MacOS Ventura hidden photos

[Ian Moody]

I have iOS 18.4 on my phone and MacOS Ventura (latest) on my iMac.

I have not yet enabled Photos on the iMac as I didn't want any hidden photos showing up on the iMac.

With the updates to iOS 18.4 photos in the hidden album no longer get pulled down to Macs / PCs that are syncing when you have FaceID enabled.

Do you think this will work with my combination or do I HAVE to have the latest MacOS to get the benefit?

Logically most of the work needed to keep hidden photos off of your home machine could happen on the phone or in iCloud, so part of me thinks that it should work, and should stop hidden photos appearing.

The iOS release notes mention it, but the latest MacOS release notes do not, so I think it should all work.

Does anyone know one way or the other?

 

[BigBlur]

This is what it says in the release notes:

Hidden photos are no longer included for import to Mac or a PC if Use Face ID is enabled in Photos settings

Just to be clear, this only applies when you import the photos manually via USB. It doesn't matter what kind of computer you're using, since it is controlled by the phone.

This does not apply to iCloud Photos. Hidden photos will still sync that way.

 

[Ian Moody]

Well, gosh. Thanks. I would never have twigged that from the phrasing, and I get the impression that others may also have misunderstood that wording.

 

[SebCohen]

I have iOS 18.4 on my phone and MacOS Ventura (latest) on my iMac.

I have not yet enabled Photos on the iMac as I didn't want any hidden photos showing up on the iMac.

With the updates to iOS 18.4 photos in the hidden album no longer get pulled down to Macs / PCs that are syncing when you have FaceID enabled.

Do you think this will work with my combination or do I HAVE to have the latest MacOS to get the benefit?

Logically most of the work needed to keep hidden photos off of your home machine could happen on the phone or in iCloud, so part of me thinks that it should work, and should stop hidden photos appearing.

The iOS release notes mention it, but the latest MacOS release notes do not, so I think it should all work.

Does anyone know one way or the other?

Slightly OT, BUT still relevant IMHO.

For one, I just feel the name itself "Hidden Photos" sounds nepharious or salacious. Hidden signifies something that you want to hide and what stuff do we hide? But that's the thing, it's just not ONLY ONLY stuff you want to "hide".. It's technical drawings or screenshots you took for your mom that has no place in your stream. It's a bit like Ingofnito Mode, it's a bit dubious naming at best. Anyway, it would benefit from a friendlier name.

Secondly...most of us probably have both technical drawings that's boring AND salacious stuff we DO want to hide. And under no circumstances want popping up on our Apple TV or some "Memories" video.

Which is the crux of Apple Photos. It's oooooooonnnneeeeeeeee biiiiiiiiig bucket with ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING in it...and it's mostly up to you to sort it as you go along so as not to mix your salad and raw chicken.

Aaaand that's my...concern. Remember the iCloud debacle (or do we say Gate?)? When everything is stuck together and if your unfortunate, lose those things, you lose them at the same time. Or your mom sees that toppless pic that guy/girl from accounting sent you (may he who is without sin cast the first stone!). Yes Apple is pretty prissy about how it wants to be viewed, but the rest of us sort of lives out in the real world.

Which is why I for one, can't really use Apple Photos for anything other than photos I take with my iPhone. I don't trust the system because of its inherent flaw. The Bucket Flaw. (I could have said tax returns or old love letters..whatever makes you most embarrassed if people you knew saw it...or your poems...)

Edit :

Lest not forget trying to get your photos OUT of that Photos container if you want to move to another service or clean out the rot inside. Because I've done that with some old containers and...there's a LOT of guff inside that bloats the database and increases the size...but I digress)

 

[Ian Moody]

Hi - I could not agree more.

The thing that bugs me is that the Hidden Photos folder is SOOOO easy to get to on the web iCloud.

On my iPhone, to see the hidden photos, I have to delve into settings, enable the Hidden Photos option, return to Photos and then have my face 3D scanned by sharks-with-frikkin-lazers**.

On iCloud.com, if I've left the browser window open, you just have to click on the Hidden Photos button which is ALWAYS visible, and then..... in the ultimate un-crackable last defence line of security, click on the [Show Hidden Photos] button in the middle of the screen.

(**ok, IR lights)

 

[SebCohen]

Hi - I could not agree more.

The thing that bugs me is that the Hidden Photos folder is SOOOO easy to get to on the web iCloud.

On my iPhone, to see the hidden photos, I have to delve into settings, enable the Hidden Photos option, return to Photos and then have my face 3D scanned by sharks-with-frikkin-lazers**.

On iCloud.com, if I've left the browser window open, you just have to click on the Hidden Photos button which is ALWAYS visible, and then..... in the ultimate un-crackable last defence line of security, click on the [Show Hidden Photos] button in the middle of the screen.

(**ok, IR lights)

Def OT: I'm partial to the full name myself, not just the acronym..

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Mic drop.

Have a good Black Friday (worst version) USA!