Eyes Only stores private photos and videos behind a separate password
Eyes Only is a folder inside Snapchat where you can store photos and videos with an extra layer of protection — they're hidden behind a PIN or Face ID that's separate from your main Snapchat password. To add something to Eyes Only, you save it from your camera roll or from a message, then move it into that locked folder.
The feature is useful if you share your phone with family members or want to keep certain images separate from your regular Snapchat memories. Eyes Only doesn't upload anything to Snapchat's servers — the files stay on your device, encrypted locally.
Key Takeaways
- You can add photos and videos to Eyes Only from your camera roll, from received snaps, or from your Snapchat memories.
- Eyes Only requires you to set a PIN or use Face ID the first time you access it, and that password is separate from your Snapchat login.
- Files in Eyes Only stay on your phone and are not backed up to Snapchat's cloud storage or your device's cloud backup.
- You can remove items from Eyes Only at any time, and the folder itself can be hidden from your home screen if you want.
Adding photos from your camera roll to Eyes Only
Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap Memories. At the bottom of the screen, tap the camera icon to open your device's camera roll.
Find the photo or video you want to add. Tap and hold on it until a menu appears, then tap Save to Eyes Only. The first time you do this, Snapchat will ask you to set a PIN (a four-digit code) or enable Face ID. Choose whichever you prefer — this becomes the password for Eyes Only and is not the same as your Snapchat password.
Once you've set the PIN or Face ID, the file moves into Eyes Only. You won't see it in your regular Memories anymore.
Saving received snaps directly to Eyes Only
When someone sends you a snap, you can save it to Eyes Only instead of your regular camera roll. Open the snap and tap the download icon (it looks like an arrow pointing down). A menu will appear with options including Save to Eyes Only.
If you've already set up Eyes Only with a PIN or Face ID, the snap saves immediately. If you haven't set it up yet, you'll be prompted to create a PIN or enable Face ID before the snap is saved.
Moving existing memories to Eyes Only
If you've already saved something to your regular Memories, you can move it to Eyes Only. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, and go to Memories. Find the photo or video you want to move.
Tap and hold on the file until a menu appears. Tap Move to Eyes Only. The file will be removed from your regular Memories and placed in Eyes Only instead. You'll need to unlock Eyes Only with your PIN or Face ID to see it.
Accessing and managing your Eyes Only folder
To view what's in Eyes Only, open Snapchat and tap your profile icon. Go to Memories, then look for the Eyes Only section at the top. Tap it and unlock with your PIN or Face ID.
From inside Eyes Only, you can delete files by tapping and holding on them and selecting Delete. You can also move files back to your regular Memories by tapping and holding and selecting Move to Memories. If you want to hide the Eyes Only section from your Memories screen entirely, go to your Snapchat settings, tap Privacy, and toggle off Show Eyes Only.
What happens if you forget your Eyes Only PIN
If you set a PIN for Eyes Only and forget it, you cannot recover the files inside without resetting the PIN. To reset it, go to your Snapchat settings, tap Privacy, find Eyes Only, and tap Forgot PIN. Snapchat will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or email.
Once you've verified your identity, you can set a new PIN. However, resetting the PIN will permanently delete all files currently stored in Eyes Only — they cannot be recovered. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from accessing your folder if they gain control of your account.
Important limits and what Eyes Only does not do
Eyes Only protects files from casual access, but it is not a complete security solution. The files are encrypted on your phone, but if someone has your PIN or can unlock your phone using Face ID, they can access Eyes Only. The folder also does not protect against screenshots — someone can still take a screenshot of a file while viewing it.
Files in Eyes Only are not backed up to iCloud, Google Drive, or any other cloud service. If you lose your phone or factory reset it, the files in Eyes Only will be deleted permanently. If you want to keep a backup, you'll need to move the file back to your regular Memories or save it to your camera roll separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add videos to Eyes Only, or just photos?
You can add both photos and videos to Eyes Only. The process is the same — tap and hold on the file and select Save to Eyes Only or Move to Eyes Only. Video files take up the same storage space as they do in your regular camera roll.
What if I want to change my Eyes Only PIN?
Open Snapchat settings, tap Privacy, and find Eyes Only. Tap Change PIN and enter your current PIN. Then enter your new four-digit PIN twice to confirm. You can also switch from PIN to Face ID or vice versa from this same menu.
Will Snapchat see the files I put in Eyes Only?
No. Files in Eyes Only are stored only on your device and are not sent to Snapchat's servers. Snapchat cannot see, access, or moderate the contents of Eyes Only. The folder is completely local to your phone.
Can I share files from Eyes Only with someone else?
No. Files in Eyes Only cannot be shared directly through Snapchat. If you want to send a file to someone, you must move it out of Eyes Only first by selecting Move to Memories, then share it as a regular snap or download it to your camera roll.
What happens to Eyes Only if I uninstall Snapchat?
If you uninstall Snapchat without backing up your files, everything in Eyes Only will be deleted when the app is removed from your phone. Before uninstalling, move any files you want to keep back to your regular Memories or save them to your camera roll separately.