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In this guide, we’ll share four easy ways to add password protection to your sensitive images and screenshots to keep them safe from prying eyes.

If you give other people, such as your spouse, kids, or even office colleagues, access to your Mac, the best option is to simply create a separate user account for them and change your main account password. This way, you don’t have to worry about file mixing or unauthorized access.

But if you must share your user account with others, or want an additional layer of protection to make your pictures and screenshots more private, here are four easy ways to do so.

Please check all four and pick the one that best suits your needs. I use method 3 on all my Macs.

Convert to PDF and lock the file

If you have to hide just one or a few images and want to do it quickly, without many steps or downloading third-party apps, then this method is for you. Just remember that this may affect picture quality, but it shouldn’t be a big deal if you’re looking to protect private screenshots and such.

1) Control-click over one or multiple images in your Finder folder or desktop and select Quick Actions > Create PDF. This will turn your selected pictures into a PDF.

2) Now, open the PDF in Mac’s Preview and set a password on it. You can do this by clicking File > Export > Permissions and adding your custom owner password. Then, check the box for “Require Password To Open Document,” add the password under it, and click Apply > Save.

3) You’ll now have a password-protected PDF. Delete the original unprotected PDF and image, and keep just the locked PDF copy.

Compress the photo into a ZIP file and password protect it

This second method is similar to the one above. All you need to do is select one or more pictures in Finder, control-click, and choose Compress to turn them into a ZIP file. Then, set a lock on that ZIP file with a custom password.

Create a locked disk image and save the picture there

In this method, you’ll use the built-in macOS Disk Utility app to create a password-protected, encrypted virtual disk of the desired size (like 2 GB). Then, you can add photos, videos, documents, and files of any kind here. They will remain locked until you enter the password to open that disk image. Our linked tutorial will guide you through everything.

Use Encrypto to encrypt and decrypt the photo

And finally, the most straightforward method of them all. But it requires using a third-party app. However, note that this app is by MacPaw, which is popular for creating reputable Mac apps like Setapp and CleanMyMac.

1) Download the Encrypto app for free from the Mac App Store and open it.

2) Drag and drop an image over its window and set a password to encrypt the file.

3) After encryption, click the Save As button and save the encrypted file with the ‘.crypto’ extension to the desired folder.

4) Then, delete the original, unencrypted file.

5) When you need to view the locked image, double-click to open it in Encrypto, enter the password, and click Decrypt.

6) You can now view the image by clicking its thumbnail and also save its unencrypted version to Finder if needed.

Which method will you be using?

Also, check out:

• How to secure your Mac and all of its valuable data
• 9 ways to lock private files & documents on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2026/01/29/password-protect-photos-mac/

Apple has announced the second generation of its popular item tracker, featuring extended range, louder speakers, and improved precision finding. Here’s all you need to know about the new AirTags 2.

The same look and design

AirTag (2nd generation) looks the same as its predecessor and still comes in just one color (white). It has the same design and a user-removable back cover. Your existing AirTag keyrings, covers, and accessories should fit the new model.

Slightly heavier

The 2nd iteration is every so slightly heavier by 7.2%. The old AirTag weighed 11 grams, while the new one comes in at 11.8 grams.

New Ultrawide band chip

AirTag 2 has the improved second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (U2). This is the same spatial awareness chip that’s found in iPhone 15 and later (except iPhone 16e), Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.

Longer range

Having the improved U2 chip in place of the U1 chip boosts the Precision Finding range of these new AirTags by 1.5 times. This means you’ll have a better experience, seeing the exact distance and direction to go when looking for your missing item.

Note:

• You can use your iPhone 15 or newer (except 16e) to get better signals when looking for your AirTag 2nd generation around you.
• If you have an iPhone 11 to iPhone 14 and iPhone 16e, you’ll be limited to the same Precision Finding range as AirTag 1st generation. This is because these iPhone models have the U1 chip with lessor range.

Precision Finding now on Apple Watch

You can use Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later to locate AirTags 2. In the case of AirTags 1, Precision Finding was only available on iPhone.

Louder speaker

Apple claims that the new AirTag 2nd-generation speakers are 50% louder. This ensures you can find your missing item more easily, and a thief will now have to do extra work to suppress the louder noise.

A different chime

AirTags 2 play a different sound when you locate it with the Find My app. This new chime (listen here) appears to be more ear-piercing, so you can find your missing keys or wallet even if it’s under a big pile of clothes or hiding under the cushions.

Improved Bluetooth

AirTags use Bluetooth to communicate with other Find My network devices, and the 2nd-generation tracker has an upgraded Bluetooth chip with better range, ensuring these new AirTags can relay signals to even far-off iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

A new reset process

You now need to remove the battery, wait for 5 seconds, reinsert the battery, and repeat this process 4 times to reset your AirTags 2nd generation. In comparison, you can reset the 1st-generation AirTag by removing the battery once.

Same splash, water, and dust resistance

AirTags 2 have the same IP67 water and dust resistance as AirTag 1. It can theoretically stay submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

Still uses the same battery

The new version continues to use the same CR2032 coin cell battery, which Apple claims can last for more than a year.

Has all the functions from the previous generation

AirTags 2 retain all features of its predecessor, like location tracking, Lost Mode, sharing with family and friends, sharing its location with airlines to help track your missing bag, and more.

Same price

A single AirTag 2 costs $29 (U.S.), while the four-pack costs $99 (U.S.). This is the same as the previous generation. But note that in some countries, such as India, the price of this new model is slightly higher than AirTag 1.

You can still make it personal by engraving

You can get your AirTags 2 engraved with emoji or text when you order from Apple’s official website or Apple Store app (not in physical stores).

An easy way to differentiate between the AirTags 1st and 2nd generations

Since the size and looks of both generations are the same, and a seven percent weight difference is impossible to notice, how do you know which AirTags are the new model and which ones are old? Thankfully, there’s an easy way to know this.

Unlike AirTag 1, the text on the back of AirTag 2 is all UPPERCASE (except for the word ‘AirTag’ itself). Plus, the text on both is also different, as shown in the image below.

Will you be buying the new AirTags? And in case you decide to, make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.

Also, check out:

• 14 tips to make the most of your AirTags
• What to do if you lost your AirTag

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2026/01/28/about-airtags-2/