How to Hide Photos on Galaxy S20 using Secure Folder
Got some confidential photos to hide on your new Samsung smartphone? If so, then this post will teach you how. Here’s a quick guide on how to hide photos on Galaxy S20.
Modern smartphones are already capable of storing multimedia files including critical data. With the latest security features, any unauthorized access can be prevented. And if you think that’s not enough, advanced security features including secure folders can be activated to keep the most confidential information in a hidden directory. If you’re wondering how to use these features on your new Samsung Galaxy smartphone, I laid out a step by step walk-through below.
Easy steps to Hide Photos on Galaxy S20
Time Needed : 10 minutes
The following steps demonstrate the standard process of hiding photos on the Galaxy S20 using Secure Folder. Secure Folder is the latest version of the Private Mode feature of the previous Galaxy devices. You can start when you’re ready.
First, you need to activate the <strong>Secure Folder</strong> on your phone.
To enable this feature, access the Apps screen then navigate to Settings-> Biometrics and security-> Secure Folder menu and then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to sign into your Samsung account and access the Secure Folder feature.You can also access the Secure Folder through the notification panel. All you have to do is launch the notification panel, find the Secure Folder icon then tap to enable it.After enabling the Secure Folder, you will see its icon added on the Apps screen or in the Samsung apps folder.
Access the Apps screen then tap Settings.
The Settings screen contains different app icons.
Tap the Secure Folder icon.
If prompted, enter your pattern, PIN or password to continue. The folder will then open with relevant files saved in their respective directory.
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen then tap the Add files command.
Doing so will open the file directory of your phone.
Tap on the Images icon, select the image file(s) on your phone that you want to move to the Secure Folder.
Wait until all selected images are transferred.
When it's finished, hide the Secure Folder. To hide the Secure Folder along with the photos in it, go back to <strong>Settings-> Biometrics and security </strong>menu then tap <strong>Secure Folder. </strong>Then tap to turn off the switch/slider next to <strong>Show icon on Apps screen. </strong> If prompted, tap Hide to confirm.
The Secure Folder icon will then be removed from the Apps screen.After turning the switch/slider on, you will be prompted with the Hide Secure Folder dialogue box. Read the information and then tap HIDE to make the folder invisible and inaccessible through the Apps screen in normal view.
To make the <strong>Secure Folder</strong> visible again, just go back to the same menu and toggle the<strong> Show Secure Folder</strong> <strong>slider </strong>to turn the feature <strong>OFF</strong>. Enter your PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint to confirm action.
The Secure Folder will then become visible from the Apps screen again.
Tools
- Android 10, One UI 2.0
Materials
- Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus, Galaxy S20 Ultra
Secure Folder is basically an application that lets you hide specific contents on your devices. It utilizes Samsung’s Knox security platform in order to create a new Home screen protected by a password or biometrics security. That said, apps and files in this folder aren’t accessible unless the folder is unlocked. Definitely it’s a very useful feature to utilize.
Aside from photos, you can also add an existing app on your phone to your Secure Folder and that will serve as a backup of the app. However, the copied app won’t have any existing files, cache and logins that the original app does. So it’s like installing the app as new.
The Galaxy Store and Play Store can also be accessed directly from the Secure Folder. Any downloaded apps will likewise be directly installed in the Secure Folder.
All files stored in the Secure Folder cannot be viewed in regular file explorers or the Gallery app. And neither can these files be opened without authentication.
And that covers everything in this tutorial. Please keep posted for more comprehensive tutorials, tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your new Samsung galaxy s20 smartphone.
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ALSO READ: How to Use Biometrics to Secure your Galaxy S20 [Biometrics Authentication]