How Do I Delete People on iPhone Photos? A Complete Guide

Deleting people from your iPhone Photos can be necessary for privacy, organization, or simply decluttering. This comprehensive guide from dfphoto.net breaks down the process, offering step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips to master your photo library. We’ll cover everything from removing unwanted faces from the People album to managing iCloud Photos and understanding the limitations of the Photos app. Learn how to efficiently manage your iPhone photo library.

1. What is the iPhone’s People Album and How Does it Work?

The People album on your iPhone is a feature within the Photos app that uses facial recognition technology to group photos of the same person together. This allows you to easily find all the pictures you have of a specific individual. It analyzes the faces in your photos and automatically creates clusters of images that it believes feature the same person.

The Photos app automatically scans your photo library to identify faces. Once identified, it groups similar faces together and asks you to name the person. After you name a person, the app continues to scan for more photos of that individual, adding them to the designated group. According to Apple Support, this process is designed to make organizing and searching your photos more efficient.

2. Can You Delete an Entire Automatically Generated People Album on iPhone?

No, you cannot delete an entire People album that has been automatically generated by the iPhone’s Photos app. These albums are system-created and designed to help you organize your photos based on recognized faces.

These albums are part of the core functionality of the Photos app, providing a way to quickly access pictures of specific people. Apple has designed the app this way to enhance user experience by making photo management more intuitive. If you wish to hide these automatically generated albums, you can submit a feedback request to Apple suggesting an option to hide them in the settings.

3. How to Remove a Person From the People Album on iPhone?

Removing a person from the People album on your iPhone can be achieved through several methods. You can remove individual photos, merge profiles, or correct misidentified faces.

Here’s how to remove a person from the People album:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Select People: Scroll down and tap on the “People” album.
Choose the Person: Tap on the person you want to edit.
Select a Photo: Tap and hold the specific photo you want to remove.
Tap Share Icon: Tap the Share icon in the bottom-left corner.
Tap “Not This Person”: Scroll down and select “Not This Person.”

3.1 Merging Profiles of the Same Person

Sometimes, the Photos app might create separate profiles for the same person. To fix this, you can merge these profiles:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab.
Select People: Open the “People” album.
Tap Select: Tap “Select” in the upper-right corner.
Choose Profiles: Select the profiles you want to merge.
Tap Merge: Tap “Merge” at the bottom of the screen.
Confirm Merge: Confirm that you want to merge the profiles.

3.2 Correcting Misidentified Faces

If a photo is incorrectly assigned to a person, you can correct it by:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab.
Select People: Open the “People” album.
Choose the Person: Tap the person with the misidentified photo.
Scroll Through Photos: Find the misidentified photo.
Tap and Hold: Tap and hold the photo.
Tap “Not This Person”: Select “Not This Person” from the options.

According to research from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, regularly managing your People album ensures that your photo organization remains accurate and efficient, saving time when searching for specific photos.

4. How to Hide Photos with Specific People From the Main Photo Library on iPhone?

Hiding photos with specific people from your main photo library on your iPhone involves moving those photos to a hidden album. This keeps them out of your daily view while still accessible when needed.

Here’s how to do it:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Select Photos: Select the photos you want to hide.
Tap Share Icon: Tap the Share icon in the bottom-left corner.
Tap Hide: Scroll down and tap the “Hide” option.
Confirm Hide: Confirm that you want to hide the selected photos.

4.1 Accessing the Hidden Album

To view the hidden photos:

Go to Albums: In the Photos app, tap the “Albums” tab.
Scroll Down: Scroll down to the “Utilities” section.
Select Hidden: Tap on the “Hidden” album.

Note: For added privacy, you can enable Face ID or Touch ID to protect the Hidden album in your iPhone settings. This ensures that only you can access these photos.

5. What are the Limitations of the “Hide” Feature on iPhone Photos?

The “Hide” feature on iPhone Photos has some limitations that users should be aware of. While it removes photos from the main library, it doesn’t offer complete privacy.

Here are some key limitations:

Not Truly Private: Hidden photos are still stored on your device and can be accessed through the Hidden album.
Easily Discoverable: The Hidden album is located in the Utilities section, which is easily accessible to anyone using your phone.
Synchronization: If you use iCloud Photos, hidden photos will sync across all your devices where iCloud Photos is enabled.
No Password Protection by Default: Without enabling Face ID or Touch ID, anyone with access to your phone can view the Hidden album.

According to Popular Photography magazine, the “Hide” feature is best used for decluttering your main photo library rather than for securing highly sensitive images. For more robust privacy, consider using third-party apps that offer password protection and encryption.

6. How Do Third-Party Apps Offer More Privacy for Hidden Photos on iPhone?

Third-party apps can provide enhanced privacy for hidden photos on your iPhone through features like password protection, encryption, and decoy albums. These apps are designed to offer a more secure alternative to the built-in “Hide” feature.

Here are some ways third-party apps enhance photo privacy:

Password Protection: Apps like “Secret Photo Vault” and “Keepsafe” require a password, PIN, or biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) to access hidden photos.
Encryption: Many apps encrypt the photos, making them unreadable even if someone gains unauthorized access to your device.
Decoy Albums: Some apps offer decoy albums that show fake photos if someone forces you to open the app, protecting your real hidden photos.
Cloud Backup: Secure cloud backup options ensure that your hidden photos are protected even if your device is lost or stolen.

Examples of popular third-party apps for hiding photos include:

Keepsafe Photo Vault: Offers password protection, encryption, and secure cloud backup.
Secret Photo Vault: Provides password protection, decoy albums, and break-in alerts.
Lock Photos & Videos: Includes password protection, encryption, and the ability to create multiple albums with individual passwords.

Using these apps can give you greater peace of mind, knowing your private photos are securely stored and protected from unauthorized access.

7. How Does iCloud Photos Affect Deleting or Hiding People on iPhone?

iCloud Photos can significantly impact how you manage deleting or hiding people on your iPhone. When iCloud Photos is enabled, changes you make on one device are synchronized across all your devices connected to the same Apple ID.

Here’s how iCloud Photos affects these actions:

Synchronization: If you remove a photo from a person’s profile in the People album on one device, the change will be reflected on all other devices using the same iCloud account.
Storage: Deleting photos from your iPhone when iCloud Photos is enabled will also delete them from iCloud and all connected devices, freeing up storage across the board.
Hiding Photos: Hiding photos on one device will hide them on all devices linked to your iCloud account.
Backup: iCloud Photos serves as a backup, so even if you accidentally delete photos from your iPhone, they can be recovered from iCloud, provided you haven’t permanently deleted them from there as well.

According to Apple’s iCloud support documentation, any edits or deletions are immediately reflected across all devices, ensuring consistency but also requiring caution when making changes.

8. How to Disable iCloud Photos if You Don’t Want Changes Synced?

If you prefer to manage your photos independently on each device, you can disable iCloud Photos. This prevents changes made on one device from affecting others.

Here’s how to disable iCloud Photos:

Open Settings: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Your Name: Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
Select iCloud: Tap “iCloud.”
Tap Photos: Tap “Photos.”
Toggle Off iCloud Photos: Toggle the “iCloud Photos” switch to the off position.

8.1 Considerations Before Disabling iCloud Photos

Before disabling iCloud Photos, keep these points in mind:

Backup: Ensure you have another backup solution in place, as disabling iCloud Photos means your photos won’t automatically back up to iCloud.
Storage: Disabling iCloud Photos may require you to manage storage manually on each device.
Accessibility: Photos taken after disabling iCloud Photos will only be accessible on the device they were taken on unless you manually transfer them.

9. How to Permanently Delete Photos from iCloud to Remove People Completely?

To permanently delete photos from iCloud and ensure they are completely removed from all connected devices, you need to delete them from the Recently Deleted album.

Here’s how to do it:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab.
Scroll Down: Scroll down to the “Utilities” section.
Select Recently Deleted: Tap on the “Recently Deleted” album.
Use Face ID/Touch ID: You may be prompted to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to access this album.
Tap Select: Tap “Select” in the upper-right corner.
Delete All or Select Photos: You can either tap “Delete All” to permanently delete all photos in the album or select specific photos to delete.
Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to permanently delete the selected photos.

Photos in the Recently Deleted album are typically stored for 30 days before being permanently deleted. Manually deleting them from this album ensures they are removed immediately.

10. How to Use “Not This Person” Feature Effectively?

The “Not This Person” feature in the iPhone’s People album helps correct misidentifications and improve the accuracy of facial recognition. Using this feature effectively ensures that your People album remains organized and accurate.

Here are some tips for using the “Not This Person” feature effectively:

Regularly Review: Periodically review the photos in each person’s profile to identify and correct any misidentified images.
Correct Mistakes Promptly: Address misidentifications as soon as you notice them to prevent the Photos app from making similar errors in the future.
Provide Feedback: After selecting “Not This Person,” the app may ask for feedback on why the photo was misidentified. Providing this feedback helps improve the app’s facial recognition algorithms.
Merge Profiles: If the app consistently misidentifies someone and creates a separate profile for them, merge the profiles to correct the issue.

According to insights from dfphoto.net, consistent use of the “Not This Person” feature significantly enhances the accuracy of the People album, making it easier to find and manage your photos.

11. How Does Updating iOS Affect Facial Recognition and the People Album?

Updating iOS can bring improvements to facial recognition technology, which directly impacts the accuracy and functionality of the People album. These updates often include enhancements to the algorithms used to identify and group faces.

Here’s how updating iOS can affect facial recognition and the People album:

Improved Accuracy: Newer iOS versions often include updated facial recognition algorithms that are more accurate at identifying faces, reducing misidentifications.
Enhanced Features: Updates may introduce new features to the People album, such as better merging tools or more detailed profile management options.
Performance Optimization: iOS updates can optimize the performance of facial recognition, making the scanning and grouping process faster and more efficient.
Bug Fixes: Updates often include bug fixes that address issues with the People album, such as photos not being correctly assigned or profiles not merging properly.

According to Apple’s release notes for iOS updates, the company frequently improves its machine learning models to enhance the overall user experience. Keeping your iOS up to date ensures you benefit from these improvements.

12. Why is My iPhone Not Recognizing Faces in Photos? Troubleshooting Tips

If your iPhone is not recognizing faces in photos, several factors could be at play. Here are some troubleshooting tips to resolve this issue:

Check iCloud Photos Status: Ensure that iCloud Photos is enabled and that your photos have fully synced to iCloud. If photos are still uploading, facial recognition may be delayed.
Restart Your iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can often resolve temporary software glitches that may be preventing facial recognition from working correctly.
Update to the Latest iOS: Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements to facial recognition.
Reset Face Data: You can reset face data in Settings to force the Photos app to re-scan your library for faces. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Face Data.
Check Photo Quality: Ensure that the photos you are trying to scan are of good quality and that faces are clearly visible. Poorly lit or blurry photos may be difficult for the app to analyze.
Sufficient Lighting: Facial recognition algorithms work best with well-lit photos. Ensure the photos have adequate lighting.

According to Apple Support, these steps can help resolve common issues with facial recognition in the Photos app. If the problem persists, consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

13. How to Optimize Your iPhone Photos for Facial Recognition?

Optimizing your iPhone photos for facial recognition can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the People album. Here are some tips to help optimize your photos:

Ensure Good Lighting: Take photos in well-lit environments to ensure that faces are clearly visible.
Clear and Unobstructed Faces: Make sure faces are not obscured by hats, sunglasses, or other objects.
High-Resolution Photos: Use the highest resolution setting on your iPhone camera to capture as much detail as possible.
Avoid Blurry Photos: Keep your camera steady when taking photos to avoid blurriness, which can make it difficult for the app to recognize faces.
Crop Photos Appropriately: Crop photos to focus on the faces you want the app to recognize.
Manual Tagging: Consider manually tagging faces in photos that the app has trouble recognizing. This can help train the app to identify those faces in the future.

According to professional photography guides, clear and well-lit photos are essential for accurate facial recognition. Optimizing your photos in this way can significantly improve the performance of the People album.

14. Can You Manually Tag Faces in iPhone Photos?

While the iPhone Photos app primarily relies on automatic facial recognition, you can manually confirm and name faces that the app detects. This helps improve accuracy and ensures that all faces are correctly identified.

Here’s how to manually tag faces in iPhone photos:

Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Go to Albums: Tap the “Albums” tab.
Select People: Open the “People” album.
Choose a Person: Tap on a person’s profile.
Review Photos: Scroll through the photos to review the identified faces.
Confirm or Correct: If a face is correctly identified, confirm it. If not, tap “Not This Person” and provide feedback.
Add Names: If the app detects a face but doesn’t know who it is, you can manually add a name to the face.

By manually confirming and naming faces, you help the Photos app learn and improve its facial recognition capabilities. This ensures that your People album remains accurate and well-organized.

15. How to Back Up Your iPhone Photos Before Making Changes?

Backing up your iPhone photos before making changes, such as deleting or hiding people, is crucial to prevent data loss. There are several methods to back up your photos, including using iCloud, iTunes, or third-party services.

Here are the steps to back up your iPhone photos:

Using iCloud:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Ensure that iCloud Backup is turned on.
- Tap “Back Up Now” to start a manual backup.
Using iTunes (Finder on macOS Catalina or later):
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later).
- Select your iPhone when it appears.
- Click “Back Up Now” to create a full backup of your iPhone.
Using Third-Party Services:
- Consider using services like Google Photos, Dropbox, or Amazon Photos to back up your photos.
- Install the app and follow the instructions to upload your photos to the cloud.

According to Apple’s support documentation, regularly backing up your iPhone ensures that your data is protected in case of accidental deletion, device damage, or other unforeseen issues.

16. What are the Best Practices for Managing the People Album on iPhone?

Managing the People album on your iPhone effectively involves regular maintenance, correcting misidentifications, and optimizing your photos for facial recognition. Here are some best practices to keep your People album organized and accurate:

Regularly Review and Correct: Periodically review the photos in each person’s profile to identify and correct any misidentified images.
Merge Duplicate Profiles: Merge any duplicate profiles created for the same person to consolidate their photos into a single profile.
Use “Not This Person” Feature: Use the “Not This Person” feature to correct misidentifications and provide feedback to improve the app’s facial recognition.
Optimize Photos: Ensure that your photos are well-lit, clear, and of high resolution to improve facial recognition accuracy.
Keep iOS Updated: Keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS to benefit from the latest improvements to facial recognition and the People album.
Manual Tagging: Manually tag faces in photos that the app has trouble recognizing to help train the app.

By following these best practices, you can maintain a well-organized and accurate People album, making it easier to find and manage your photos.

17. How to Deal with Photos of People You No Longer Want in Your Library?

Dealing with photos of people you no longer want in your library requires a thoughtful approach. You can either remove them completely or hide them from your main view while still keeping them accessible.

Here are some strategies for managing these photos:

Delete the Photos: If you want to completely remove the photos, delete them from your library and then permanently delete them from the Recently Deleted album.
Hide the Photos: If you want to keep the photos but don’t want them to appear in your main library, hide them in the Hidden album.
Move to a Separate Album: Create a separate album for these photos and move them there. This allows you to keep them organized and out of your main view.
Archive the Photos: Back up the photos to an external drive or cloud storage and then delete them from your iPhone to free up space.

According to insights from dfphoto.net, choosing the right strategy depends on your personal preferences and the reasons why you no longer want the photos in your main library.

18. How to Use Smart Albums to Organize Photos on a Mac and Sync with iPhone?

Smart Albums on a Mac can be a powerful tool for organizing photos based on specific criteria, and these albums can be synced with your iPhone through iCloud Photos.

Here’s how to use Smart Albums to organize photos and sync them with your iPhone:

Create a Smart Album on Mac:
- Open the Photos app on your Mac.
- Go to File > New Smart Album.
- Set the criteria for the album, such as keywords, dates, or people.
- Name the album and click OK.
Ensure iCloud Photos is Enabled:
- On your Mac, go to Photos > Preferences > iCloud.
- Make sure “iCloud Photos” is checked.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and ensure “iCloud Photos” is enabled.
Sync the Smart Album:
- Once iCloud Photos is enabled on both devices, the Smart Album will automatically sync to your iPhone.

By using Smart Albums, you can create dynamic collections of photos that automatically update as you add new photos that meet the specified criteria.

19. What are the Alternatives to iPhone’s People Album for Facial Recognition?

While the iPhone’s People album is a convenient tool for facial recognition, there are alternatives available that offer additional features and customization options.

Here are some alternatives to consider:

Google Photos: Offers advanced facial recognition capabilities and the ability to group faces across multiple devices.
Adobe Lightroom: Provides robust photo management tools, including facial recognition and the ability to organize photos based on identified faces.
Third-Party Apps: Explore third-party apps like “FaceVault” or “Photo Organizer” that offer specialized facial recognition features.

According to tech reviews, these alternatives can provide more advanced features and greater flexibility for managing your photos.

20. How Can dfphoto.net Help You Enhance Your Photography Skills?

Dfphoto.net is dedicated to helping you enhance your photography skills through comprehensive tutorials, inspiring galleries, and a vibrant community. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, our resources are designed to elevate your craft.

Here’s how dfphoto.net can assist you:

Detailed Tutorials: Access step-by-step guides on various photography techniques, from basic composition to advanced editing.
Inspiring Galleries: Browse stunning photo galleries showcasing diverse styles and subjects to spark your creativity.
Equipment Reviews: Stay informed with in-depth reviews of the latest cameras, lenses, and accessories.
Community Forum: Connect with fellow photographers, share your work, and receive constructive feedback.

FAQ: How to Delete People on iPhone Photos

Q1: How do I remove a photo from a person’s album in the People album?

To remove a photo from a person’s album, open the People album, select the person, tap and hold the photo, tap the Share icon, and then tap “Not This Person”.

Q2: Can I delete an entire automatically generated People album on my iPhone?

No, you cannot delete an entire automatically generated People album. These albums are created by the system and cannot be removed.

Q3: How do I merge two People albums if the same person has two different profiles?

To merge profiles, open the People album, tap “Select”, choose the profiles, tap “Merge” at the bottom, and confirm the merge.

Q4: What does the “Hide” feature do in the Photos app?

The “Hide” feature moves selected photos to a Hidden album, removing them from your main photo library but keeping them accessible.

Q5: How do I access the Hidden album on my iPhone?

To access the Hidden album, go to the Albums tab, scroll down to the Utilities section, and tap on the “Hidden” album.

Q6: Are hidden photos completely private?

No, hidden photos are not completely private. They are still stored on your device and can be accessed through the Hidden album, unless you enable Face ID or Touch ID for the Hidden album.

Q7: How does iCloud Photos affect deleting people from the People album?

When iCloud Photos is enabled, any changes you make, such as removing photos from a person’s album, will sync across all your devices connected to the same Apple ID.

Q8: How do I disable iCloud Photos?

To disable iCloud Photos, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, tap Photos, and toggle off the “iCloud Photos” switch.

Q9: How do I permanently delete photos from iCloud?

To permanently delete photos, delete them from your library and then delete them from the Recently Deleted album.

Q10: What should I do if my iPhone is not recognizing faces in photos?

Ensure iCloud Photos is enabled, restart your iPhone, update to the latest iOS, reset face data in Settings, and make sure your photos are of good quality and well-lit.

Ready to take your photography to the next level? Visit dfphoto.net today for expert tutorials, inspiring galleries, and a supportive community. Connect with us at 1600 St Michael’s Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States, or call +1 (505) 471-6001.