How to Hide Files on Samsung Galaxy S21 without using Secure Folder

This post shows how to hide files on the Galaxy S21 without using the preinstalled secure folder. Read on if you need help moving confidential files and documents to a hidden folder or directory on your new Samsung smartphone.

Hiding Files using Hidden Folders

A common way to secure confidential information in computers and smartphones is through hidden folders. By hiding files, any unauthorized access to sensitive data is barred. 

There are many different ways to hide files on a smartphone. You can use the preloaded features, third-party apps or custom folders.

In Samsung smartphones and tablets, files can be hidden in the preinstalled hidden directory called Secure Folder. To use this folder, it has to be activated and set up on the device beforehand. 

Another option is by placing confidential files into a secret or hidden folder. Hidden folders in Android and Samsung devices can be created using the built-in File Manager. Once they’re created, you’re all set to move private files and data. 

Depicted in this walkthrough is the standard process of hiding files on the Galaxy S21 using a custom hidden folder.

Easy Steps to Hide Files on the Galaxy S21 through Hidden Folders

Before you proceed, be sure to get your hidden folder ready. If you haven’t already, then you should create one first. If you need help doing so, then you can even refer to this tutorial video.

1. Once you’ve got everything set, go to your Home screen and swipe up from the bottom to access the Apps viewer.

Different app icons and shortcut controls will populate the next display.

2. Locate and then tap the Settings icon to proceed.

The main settings menu opens with a list of all the built-in features and settings for you to use and manage.

3. Scroll up or down to view more items. Then, tap Battery and device care.

The Device care menu will load up next. Here,  you will see four major directories including Battery, Storage, Memory and Device protection.

4. Tap Storage to continue.

The Internal storage menu opens, highlighting a list of different content categories.

5. Tap the triple-dot icon on the upper-rightmost corner and then tap Advanced.

Advanced storage settings and features will show  up next.

6. To continue, tap Files to access the folder that stores the file that you’d like to hide. Let’s just use the DCIM folder as an example, so tap on it.

7. From the DCIM folder, tap Camera.

8. To select a file, tap the triple dot icon on the top-rightmost corner of the Camera screen, tap Edit to enable edit mode and then tap to mark the radio button before the desired file.

You can mark or select multiple files or even select all files if you want.

9. After selecting files, tap Move or Copy at the bottom of the screen and then tap the Back key to return or get back to the internal storage menu.

10. While on the internal storage menu, tap the triple-dot icon on the upper-rightmost corner. If you haven’t created a hidden folder yet, tap Create folder. Type in the folder name that starts with a period or dot. Then, tap Create. Please note that the period before the folder name makes it hidden so don’t forget to put it.

11. Once you’re done creating a hidden folder, tap the triple dot figure again and then tap Settings to view more advanced storage settings.

12. Scroll down and then tap to turn on the switch next to Show hidden system files. Doing so will make all hidden folders in the internal storage menu visible.

13. After enabling the switch, go back to the internal storage menu and then locate the hidden folder where you want to place the private files in. Just look for the folder name with a dot before it.

14. Tap to open the target hidden folder and then tap Move Here or Copy Here beneath the display.

The select files will then be placed in the hidden folder.

15. To hide the hidden folder containing your private files, just go back to the advanced storage settings and then toggle to turn off the Show hidden system files switch.

All hidden folders will then disappear from the internal storage menu including the one that contains your private documents.

Just repeat the same steps to hide other files inside a hidden folder on your phone. You can also create another hidden folder that’s dedicated to store specific files that you’d like to hide.

Hope this helps!

More Video Tutorials

To view more comprehensive tutorials and troubleshooting clips on different mobile phones and tablets, feel free to visit The Droid Guy channel on YouTube anytime. 

You might also want to read:

• How to Move and Copy Files Between Folders on Samsung Galaxy S21
• How to Move and Copy a Downloaded File to Another Folder on Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
• How to Copy and Move Files on Samsung Galaxy Note 20
• Move files from Samsung to Mac | How to transfer files from Samsung Galaxy S10 to MAC
• How To Copy Files To SD Card in Samsung Galaxy
• How to transfer files from old Samsung smartphone to Galaxy S20 (wired and wireless transfer)