‘Love Samsung for this’ Galaxy owners rave over secret folder feature that hides photos, notes, and more
SAMSUNG users may not be aware of a built-in tool that guards their most sensitive information from prying eyes.
A feature called Secure Folder allows you to hide your personal data – like photos, notes, and more – using a special passcode.
To take advantage of the tool, navigate to and open Settings, then tap “Security and privacy.”
Selecting “More security settings” leads to the “Secure Folder” tab.
Tap “Continue” and allow necessary permissions by tapping it again. If needed, sign into your Samsung account and hit “OK.”
You’ll be prompted to set up a security method like a PIN, password, or pattern to access the folder.
You will also be asked to enable “Reset with Samsung account.”
The manufacturer recommends that you take this step, as it will allow you access your Secure Folder if you forget your passcode.
Once your folder is set up, adding items is quick and easy.
To move applications like your banking app into Secure Folder, tap “Add apps,” which displays as a plus sign.
Select the desired app to put it in the folder, followed by “Add.”
Users can also add individual files like photos and downloaded documents.
Select “More options,” or the three vertical dots, followed by “Add files.” You can use “My Files” to locate items on your device.
Another method is holding down on a photo or file until a menu appears.
Tap “More,” and then “Move to Secure Folder.”
Removing items is just as intuitive. Simply hold down on them and repeat the same process until you see the “Move out of Secure Folder” option.
For added security, you can hide Secure Folder from your Apps screen.
Swipe down using two fingers to access the Quick Settings panel, then locate and tap “Secure Folder” to hide the app.
As an alternative, head to “Security and privacy” in Settings and select “More security settings.”
Tap “Secure Folder,” then sign in when prompted.
To complete the process, toggle the switch next to “Add Secure Folder to Apps screen” to turn it off.
If you’d prefer to keep the folder in plain sight, you can change its name or icon.
Navigate to and open “Secure Folder.” You may be prompted to enter your security credentials.
Tap “More options,” followed by “Customize.” After making the desired changes, tap “Apply.”
Samsung fans who have discovered the feature are raving about it, with one Redditor proclaiming, “Love Samsung for this!”
Even casual users recognize the security benefits, which include keeping your information safe from other apps that might want to access it.
“It isn’t about being secret, it is about not letting any app access files you consider critical,” one Samsung fan wrote.
“Even with all file access no apps outside of the Secure Folder can access the files, at least not without effort on your part first.”
More advanced users can integrate additional layers of security like a virtual private network, or VPN.
A VPN, or virtual private network, establishes an airtight connection between a device and a network by scrambling your data.
“My favorite part of it is that it is completely sandboxed,” a Galaxy Note 9 user wrote.
“You can have a VPN running inside of it that filters all traffic inside it, while leaving your normal phone traffic alone. This is revolutionary.”
How to protect yourself from cyberattacks
Here’s what Mackenzie Tatananni, science and technology reporter at The U.S. Sun, has to say:
It is important to have security in mind anytime you navigate the internet or sign onto your devices. Just because you don’t have anything to hide, this doesn’t mean you want strangers spying on your activity. (Yes, this includes your internet service providers!)
I am a big proponent of VPNs, or virtual private networks, which encrypt (or “scramble”) your data to make it nearly impossible to intercept.
I am also a huge fan of the Tor Browser, though I understand this is not for everyone and can be difficult to navigate for first-time users. (I’ll admit it’s also not very practical, considering most websites are not indexed on the dark web.)
I find some of the NSA’s tips extremely helpful and abide by them myself. For instance, the agency recommends installing a minimal number of applications and only ones from official application stores.
In addition to saving phone storage, this is an effective security measure – most, if not all, apps will track you. While no one is truly defenseless against a malicious actor, there are small steps you can take to protect yourself.
This includes turning off location services for the apps you use (preventing geolocation) and managing other settings, including which apps have access to your photos and other data, in your phone’s Settings section.
Another Redditor claimed Secure Folder was the selling point for Samsung devices.
“Reason why I use a Samsung. I am not aware that others offer such a function,” he wrote.