How to use Samsung Secure Folder as a secret folder

Many people search for a “secret folder” on their phone. On a Samsung Galaxy, the built-in answer is Secure Folder. It is a separate, locked space for photos, files and copies of apps, with a code that differs from your screen lock. This guide shows how to set it up, how to hide it, and the two limits that matter most: recovery and backup. Every step comes from Samsung’s US support page for Secure Folder. Samsung notes that screens and settings can differ by carrier and software version.

What Secure Folder is

Secure Folder is a second space on your Galaxy phone. You choose its lock: a PIN, a password or a pattern, with fingerprint unlock on supported phones. What you put inside stays there:

• Photos and files that you move in leave your normal Gallery and My Files.
• Apps that you add get a separate copy inside Secure Folder, with their own sign-ins.
• Notifications from apps inside can show while Secure Folder is locked, if you allow it.

If your phone does not support Secure Folder, it does not show in the Security and privacy menu.

How to set up Secure Folder

1. Open Settings, tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings.
2. Tap Secure Folder.
3. Tap Continue, then tap Continue again to allow the permissions. If the phone asks, sign in to your Samsung account and tap OK.
4. Choose a PIN, password or pattern and follow the steps on the screen.
5. When the phone asks about Reset with Samsung account, tap Turn on if you want a way back in after a forgotten code.
6. Tap Next, then enter your new code if the phone asks.

Step 5 is the one to think about. Samsung says that without it, you cannot get into Secure Folder if you forget the code. With it, anyone who can sign in to your Samsung account can also reset the code. Pick based on who you need privacy from.

How to move photos into Secure Folder

1. Open an app with files, such as Gallery.
2. Touch and hold the photos or videos you want to move.
3. Tap More, then tap Move to Secure Folder.

You can do this even when Secure Folder is locked. The files must be on your phone or SD card. Samsung says files in your cloud account cannot move into Secure Folder.

To add files from inside Secure Folder, tap More options (three vertical dots), then Add files. To take a file back out, open Secure Folder, tap My Files, touch and hold the file, tap More, then Move out of Secure Folder.

How to hide Secure Folder

Secure Folder has its own icon on the Apps screen. You can hide that icon in two ways:

• Swipe down with two fingers to open Quick Settings, then tap Secure Folder to hide or show it.
• Open Settings, tap Security and privacy, tap More security settings, tap Secure Folder, sign in, then turn off Add Secure Folder to Apps screen.

You can also keep it in sight under another name. Open Secure Folder, tap More options, then Customize, and change its name, color and icon. Then tap Apply.

When the icon is hidden, tap Secure Folder in Quick Settings to show it again.

Limits you should know

Recovery depends on one switch

If you forget the code and Reset with Samsung account is on, open Secure Folder, enter a wrong code, tap Forgot, tap Reset, and sign in to your Samsung account. If the switch was off, Samsung says you cannot recover access. You can only remove Secure Folder and set up a new one.

Secure Folder no longer makes backups

Samsung says backing up data is no longer supported for Secure Folder. You can still restore data from backups you made before. To move Secure Folder to a new Galaxy phone, Samsung points to Smart Switch. On the new phone, you select Secure Folder in the list of what to transfer.

So a photo that lives only in Secure Folder has no cloud copy. If the phone breaks or is lost, the photo goes with it. Keep a second copy somewhere you control.

Phone only

Samsung says you can open Secure Folder only on the phone or tablet. There is no web or computer access.

Removing it

To remove Secure Folder, open its settings, tap More settings, then Uninstall. Samsung offers a Move media files out of Secure Folder option before you confirm. Leave it on unless you want the photos gone.

Extra settings

Two settings help. Auto lock Secure Folder sets when it locks itself. Samsung says that from Android 16 with One UI 8, the default is When screen turns off. Encrypt, under More options, turns on enhanced encryption, but all apps inside stop working and stop sending notifications until you tap Decrypt.

Secure Folder, private album or Locked Folder?

	Secure Folder	Gallery private album	Google Photos Locked Folder
Phones	Supported Galaxy phones	Select Galaxy phones with One UI 8.5	Android 6 and later
What opens it	Its own PIN, password or pattern	Fingerprint or screen lock	Screen lock
Holds apps	Yes, as copies	No	No
Cloud backup	No new backups	Not stated by Samsung	Optional, a separate switch

Choose Secure Folder if you need a code that differs from your screen lock and you keep another copy. Choose Locked Folder if backup matters more than a separate code. The full list of options is in how to hide photos on Android. To hide apps as well, read how to hide apps on Android.

Where a vault app fits

A vault app adds what Secure Folder lacks: a backup you control and a recovery path that does not depend on an account someone else may know. It also runs on phones that are not Samsung. Compare the main apps in our guide to the best photo vault apps for Android.

York Vault is on Google Play and the App Store. On Android it opens with its own PIN, passcode or pattern, encrypts each item on the phone, and backs up every item, encrypted, to a hidden app folder in your own Google Drive at no cost. If you forget the code, your 12-word recovery key opens your library. A cover code opens a separate cover library. Viewing, export and restore stay free on every plan. See pricing and download York Vault.