What is the Secure Folder and how do I use it?

What is the Secure Folder and how do I use it

The Secure Folder is the perfect place to store all the photos, videos, files, apps and data that you want to keep private. The folder is protected by the defence-grade Samsung Knox security platform, which encrypts all data stored there, making sure that your information is kept safe from any malicious attacks. You can also add a passcode or biometric lock to keep your data safe from any prying eyes.

How to keep your documents secure How to keep your documents secure

Please note: Some older phone models may no longer support the Secure Folder.

1 Open the Settings app
Settings icon
2 Tap Biometrics and security
Biometrics and security selected within the settings menu
3 Tap Secure Folder
Secure folder selected withing the Biometrics and security menu
4 You will need to sign into or create a Samsung Account. Tap Sign in, Continue or Agree
Agree selected in Secure folder set-up menu
5 Enter your Samsung Account details, then tap Sign in or OK

Please note: if you do not have a Samsung Account, choose Create Account, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Password entered and OK selected in Secure folder set-up menu
6 These are the permissions that the Secure folder will need. Tap Continue
Permissions required to use Secure folder with Continue selected
7 Choose the lock method you wish to use, then tap Next
Screen to choose secure folder lock type
8 Enter the lock method, then choose Continue
Screen to set pattern to unlock secure folder with Continue selected
9 Enter the lock method again, then choose Confirm
Screen to set pattern to unlock secure folder with Confirm selected
9 A shortcut to the Secure Folder will be added to your Home and Apps screen
Secure folder displayed on the apps screen of a Galaxy smartphone

After you have set up your Secure Folder you can move your private files. There are several ways to move files to the Secure Folder.

1 Open your Secure Folder
Secure folder selected on the apps screen of a galaxy smartphone
2 Tap Add files or tap the three dots and tap Add files
Three dots selected in Secure folder
Add files selected in the secure folder
3 Choose the type of file that you want to add
File types to add to secure folder - images, videos, audio, documents, My Files
4 Select the files you want to add and tap Done
Done selected after selecting images to move to secure folder
5 Choose whether you want to copy or move the files

Please note: Choosing copy will create another version of your file within the Secure Folder, while choosing move will move the original file. 

Pop up to choose whether to copy or move selected file to Secure folder

You can also move your files directly from where they are saved on your phone. This only works with apps that are made by Samsung, such as My Files, Gallery and Voice Recorder. 

1 Open an official Samsung app such as Gallery
Gallery app selected on Galaxy device home screen
2 Select the files that you want to move
Images selected in Gallery to move to Secure folder
3 Tap the options icon. It will appear as three dots in the bottom right corner
Options icon selected in Gallery app
4 Tap Move to Secure Folder
Move to secure folder selected in more options menu in gallery

When you move an app you already have installed on your phone into the secure folder, a copy of the app is created. You will be able to log in to the copy of the app in the Secure Folder using a different account to the original version. If you wish to have the app only in the secure folder, you will need to uninstall the version of the app on your apps screen.

If you download an app directly into the Secure Folder, that app will only exist in the Secure Folder.

1 Open your Secure Folder
Secure folder selected on Apps screen of Galaxy device
2 Tap Add Apps or the + symbol
Plus symbol selected in Secure folder
3 Select the apps you want to add. You can also download apps directly into the Secure Folder by tapping Download from Play Store or Download from Galaxy Store
Screen showing apps available to move to secure folder
4 Tap Add
Add selected on screen to choose apps to add to secure folder

To access the files that you have moved to your Secure Folder:

1 Open your Secure Folder
Secure folder selected on Apps screen of Galaxy device
2 To access your images, tap Gallery
Gallery selected within Secure folder
3 To access your files, tap My Files then tap the location from which you moved the file. For example, if you moved a file from Downloads, tap Downloads
My files selected within secure folder
Downloads selected within My files in secure folder

For extra security you can hide the icon for the Secure Folder so that it doesn't appear on your home or apps screen.

1 Open the Settings app
Settings icon
2 Tap Biometrics and security
Biometrics and security selected within settings menu
3 Tap Secure Folder
Secure folder selected within Biometrics and security menu
4 Toggle Show icon on Apps screen
Switch next to Show icon on apps screen selected
5 Tap Hide to confirm
Hide selected in pop up asking whether to hide secure folder

If you've chosen to hide the Secure Folder app it will be hidden from your apps and home screen but can still be accessed through the settings. 

1 Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to reveal the Quick Panel
Gif showing swiping down from the top of the screen with two fingers to reveal the quick panel
2 Swipe right and tap +
Gif showing swiping right and taping the plus symbol on the quick panel
3 Swipe right and drag and drop the Secure Folder onto the Quick Panel
Gif showing swiping right and dragging and dropping the secure folder icon into the quick panel

You can then tap the Secure Folder icon to hide or reveal the secure folder.

1 Open the Settings app
Settings icon
2 Tap Biometrics and security
Biometrics and security selected in Settings menu
3 Tap Secure Folder
Secure folder selected in Biometrics and security menu
4 Choose Menu or the three dots in the top right corner. If you do not see this, skip to step 5
5 Tap More settings
More settings selected in Secure folder settings
6 Tap Uninstall
Uninstall selected in Secure folder settings
7 Tap Uninstall again to confirm
Uninstall selected in pop up in Secure folder settings

If you've forgotten the PIN, pattern or password for your Secure Folder it can by reset using your Samsung account.

1 Open your Secure Folder
Secure folder selected in Apps screen on Galaxy device
2 Enter what you think is the unlock code or pattern
3 If your code is incorrect, tap Forgot PIN
4 Tap Reset
5 Enter the password for your Samsung account

Please note: If you have lost both your Secure Lock and Samsung account passwords please contact Samsung Support.

6 Choose another unlock code or pattern and tap Continue

If you experience issues with your Secure Folder, try the following to attempt to get the secure folder working again.

Delete folder data and clear cache :

Please note: Any data contained within your secure folder will be deleted after completing these steps.

1 Go to Settings
Settings icon
2 Tap Apps
Apps selected in Settings menu
3 Tap on the search icon in the right corner of your screen
Search icon selected in apps settings menu
4 Search for Secure folder and open the app
search result for secure folder in apps settings
5 Tap Storage
Storage selected in Secure folder settings
6 Tap Clear data
Clear data selected in secure folder settings
7 A warning message will be displayed. Tap OK
OK selected in pop-up warning message

If you continue to have problems, you can send an error report via the Samsung members app or contact us for further support.

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.

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