Sometimes you want to keep a photo in your library but don't want it showing up on your digital photo frame right now. Maybe it's a duplicate, a test shot, or just something you'd rather not display at the moment. The good news? You don't have to delete it permanently.

Homture's hide feature lets you temporarily remove photos from your frame's slideshow while keeping them safely stored in your account. You can unhide them anytime with a single tap.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Hide Photos Instead of Deleting Them?
  2. Method 1: Hide Photos from the Homture App
  3. Method 2: Hide Photos Directly on the Frame
  4. How to Unhide Photos
  5. Tips for Managing Hidden Photos
  6. Common Questions

Why Hide Photos Instead of Deleting Them?

Hiding photos gives you more flexibility than permanently deleting them. Here's when it makes sense:

  • Seasonal photos: Hide holiday or birthday photos after the event, then bring them back next year
  • Testing new uploads: Hide test shots while you figure out which photos work best on your frame
  • Temporary privacy: Hide certain photos when guests are visiting, then restore them later
  • Duplicate management: Hide similar shots while deciding which version to keep
  • Rotation control: Temporarily reduce the number of photos in rotation without losing them
Good to Know: Hidden photos remain in your Homture account and count toward your storage. They just won't appear in the frame's slideshow until you unhide them.

Method 1: Hide Photos from the Homture App

The easiest way to hide photos is through the Homture app on your phone. This method works from anywhere, even when you're not near the frame.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open the Homture app on your iPhone or Android device
  2. Tap the "Frame" tab at the bottom of the screen
  3. Select your frame from the list (if you have multiple frames)
  4. Tap the "Photos" tab to see all photos currently on your frame
  5. Tap on the photo you want to hide to open the photo detail view
  6. Look for the hide option in the photo details screen
  7. Tap to hide the photo — you'll see a confirmation message: "Photo hidden!"

The photo will immediately stop appearing on your frame. If the frame is currently displaying that photo, it will skip to the next one in the slideshow.

Pro Tip: You can hide multiple photos in one session. Just go through your photo list and hide each one individually. The changes sync to your frame in real-time over WiFi.

What You'll See in the App

Once a photo is hidden, the app will show you its status:

  • "This media is hidden on the frame" appears in the photo details
  • The photo remains visible in your app's photo library
  • You can still view, download, or share the hidden photo from the app
  • Hidden photos won't appear in the Activity feed on the frame

Method 2: Hide Photos Directly on the Frame

If you're standing in front of your Homture frame, you can hide photos directly from the device itself. This is perfect for quick adjustments when you notice a photo you'd rather not display.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Wait for the photo to appear on your frame during the slideshow, or manually swipe to it
  2. Tap anywhere on the screen to bring up the control menu overlay
  3. Tap the "Hide Photo" button in the menu bar (it looks like an eye icon)
  4. Confirm the action if prompted (first-time users will see a confirmation dialog)
  5. The photo will be hidden immediately, and the frame will move to the next photo
Note: The first time you hide a photo on the frame, you'll see a confirmation dialog. You can check "Don't show this again" to hide photos faster in the future.

Requirements for Hiding from the Frame

  • WiFi connection required: The frame needs to be connected to WiFi to sync the hide action
  • Menu visibility: Tap the screen to show the menu if it's not visible
  • Auto-hide timer: The menu will automatically hide after a few seconds of inactivity

How to Unhide Photos

Changed your mind? Unhiding photos is just as easy as hiding them.

Unhide from the Homture App

  1. Open the Homture app and go to the Frame tab
  2. Select your frame and tap the Photos tab
  3. Find the hidden photo in your photo library (hidden photos are still visible in the app)
  4. Tap on the photo to open its details
  5. Look for the status indicator that says "This media is hidden on the frame"
  6. Tap the show/unhide option to restore the photo to your frame
  7. You'll see a confirmation: "Photo displayed!"

The photo will immediately rejoin the slideshow rotation on your frame.

Quick Restore: If you accidentally hide a photo, you can unhide it right away from the app. The change syncs to your frame within seconds.

Tips for Managing Hidden Photos

Keep Track of What's Hidden

Since hidden photos remain in your library, it's easy to forget which ones are hidden. Here's how to stay organized:

  • Check photo details regularly: Open photos in the app to see their display status
  • Use captions: Add a caption like "Hidden - seasonal" to remind yourself why you hid it
  • Review periodically: Every few months, go through your library and unhide photos you want back

When to Hide vs. Delete

Not sure whether to hide or delete? Here's a quick guide:

  • Hide: Photos you might want to display again later (seasonal, duplicates, test shots)
  • Delete: Photos you'll never want to see again (blurry shots, accidental uploads, truly unwanted images)
Important: Deleting a photo removes it permanently from your Homture account. If you're unsure, hide it first. You can always delete it later if you're certain you don't need it.

Hidden Photos and Family Members

If your frame is shared with multiple family members, here's what happens when you hide a photo:

  • The photo is hidden for everyone who shares the frame
  • Other family members can still see the photo in their app's photo library
  • Any family member can unhide the photo from their app
  • Hidden photos don't appear in the Activity feed for anyone

Common Questions

Can I hide multiple photos at once?

Currently, you need to hide photos one at a time through the photo detail view. There's no batch hide feature yet, but you can hide several photos quickly by going through them in sequence.

Do hidden photos use storage space?

Yes. Hidden photos remain in your Homture account and count toward your storage. They're just not displayed on the frame.

Can I hide AI-generated videos?

Yes. The hide feature works for both regular photos and AI-generated moments. Hidden AI videos won't play during the slideshow.

What happens if I hide a photo while it's displaying?

The frame will immediately skip to the next photo in the rotation. The hidden photo won't appear again until you unhide it.

Can I see a list of all my hidden photos?

Hidden photos remain visible in your app's photo library. When you open a hidden photo's details, you'll see the status indicator "This media is hidden on the frame." There's no separate "hidden photos" folder, but you can identify them by checking their status.

Does hiding photos affect the Activity feed?

Yes. Hidden photos won't appear in the "What's New" activity feed on your frame or in the app. They're completely removed from the display rotation.

Do I need WiFi to hide photos?

Yes. Whether you hide photos from the app or directly on the frame, you need an active WiFi connection for the change to sync. If the frame is offline, the hide action will sync once it reconnects.

Final Thoughts

Hiding photos on your Homture frame gives you precise control over what displays without the permanence of deletion. It's perfect for managing seasonal content, testing new uploads, or temporarily adjusting your slideshow rotation.

The best part? You can hide and unhide photos as many times as you want, from anywhere in the world, using just your phone. It's one more way Homture makes managing your digital memories effortless.