Our phones hold personal content in many forms. It could be a goofy video, a cherished family photo, or even important documents. Some of them can be embarrassing or deeply private. You wouldn’t want just anyone stumbling across them.
If you use Google photos as your primary image manager, you’ll have access to the Locked Folder where you can hide your stuff. Let’s help you use this feature for better privacy.
What happens when you hide images on Google Photos?
Photos and videos you move to the Locked Folder on Google Photos won’t appear in your main Photos grid, memories, search results, or albums. They’ll remain hidden from plain view and are excluded from any automatic displays or suggestions the app gives. Additionally, third-party apps on your device that might normally access your photo library won’t be able to see or use the items stored in the Locked Folder.
However, if there are copies or multiple burst shots you haven’t backed up, the extra versions will remain public because only the selected original photo or video went into the folder. It’s a good idea to carefully review your library for duplicates.
As for what the Locked Folder is, it’s simply a secure space where you can save sensitive photos and videos. When you set it up, you’ll use your phone’s screen lock method to unlock it. For example, if you normally use PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication to open your phone, that’s what you’ll use to access the secret folder.
Should you change your mind and want your pictures public again, you can retrieve them at any time. Like your regular photos, you can back up your Locked Folder’s content. This way, you won’t lose them if something unexpected happens to your phone.
Related: Google Photos “Undo Backup” Simplifies Managing Cloud Storage
How to create Locked Folder on Google Photos app
You need at least Android 6 or later to use the Lock Folder feature. If you own an Apple device, you should have a minimum of iOS 15. To open it, you need your device’s screen lock, like a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. Once you have these things, follow the steps below to protect your images:
1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap Collections at the bottom.
3. Scroll down and select Locked.
4. You should see a prompt to create a new Locked Folder. Tap Set Up Locked Folder and use your device’s lock method to authenticate the folder.
5. Choose whether to enable cloud backup or not.
How to hide & retrieve pictures on Google Photos
Pixel phones have a cool feature where you can hide pictures immediately you take them in the Camera app. You can set it to save photos straight to the Locked Folder instead of the standard gallery. You should see a photo icon in the top left corner. Tap it and it expands to let you choose where to store the next image you capture.
But if you use a third-party Android phone, or an Apple device, you’re limited to hiding photos in the Google app. Generally, here’s how masking your images works:
1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Long-press any image you want to hide. You may select others if there are multiples.
3. Select Move to Locked Folder in the bottom right corner.
4. Tap Move again for confirmation.
5. To access the hidden content, go to Collections > Locked.
6. Use your screen lock option for authentication.
7. If you want your pictures public again, long-press them to select. Then tap Move at the bottom left corner.
8. Tap Move again for confirmation.
Related: How to Recover Deleted Android Photos [Four Easy Ways]
Keep your private moments safe
To make the most out of Google Photos’ Locked Folder, remember to regularly check for duplicates or burst-shot images to ensure your private content stays secure. Also, the Locked Folder is only as secure as your phone’s lock screen. Anyone who can unlock your phone can also access the Locked Folder.
Remember to use a strong PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication, and avoid sharing your screen lock with others. With these precautions, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your sensitive content is well-protected.
