What is a Secure Folder and how to use it
Secure Folder protects your private content such as photos and contacts from being accessed by others. You can keep your private content and apps secure even when the device is unlocked.
Before you try out below recommendations as to your solution, be sure to check if your device's software is updated with latest version. Please check how to update your mobile device's software in following order.
Step 1. Go to Settings > Software update.
Step 2. Tap on Download and install.
Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Important: Secure Folder is a separate, secured storage area. The data in Secure Folder cannot be transferred to other devices via unapproved sharing methods such as USB or Wi-Fi Direct. Attempting to customize the operating system or modifying software will cause Secure Folder to be automatically locked and inaccessible. Before saving data in Secure Folder, make sure you back up a copy of the data in another secure location.
Note: To use Secure Folder, you must sign into your Samsung account.
Setting up Secure Folder
Step 1. Go to Settings > select Biometrics and security.
Step 2. Tap Secure Folder > agree to the terms and conditions of Secure Folder.
Step 3. Enter your Samsung account ID and password and tap Sign in.
Step 4. Select a lock method to use and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. You can also add your biometrics as another way to unlock Secure Folder for convenience.
Step 5. The Secure Folder screen will appear and the Secure Folder app icon will be added to the Apps screen.
Note: When you launch the Secure Folder app, you must unlock the app using your preset lock method.
If you forget your Secure Folder unlock code, you can reset it using your Samsung account.
Step 1. Go to Settings > Biometrics and security > tap Secure Folder.
Step 2. Tap the Forgot PIN button at the bottom of the locked screen and tap Reset.
Step 3. Enter your Samsung account password.
Step 4. Choose another unlock code or pattern and tap Continue.
Set the device to automatically lock Secure Folder when it is not being used.
Step 1. Go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder.
Step 2. Tap Auto lock Secure Folder.
Step 3. Select a lock option.
To manually lock your Secure Folder, tap More options (three vertical dots) and then tap Lock and exit.
Move content, such as photos and videos, to Secure Folder. Follow the steps below to move an image from the default storage to Secure Folder.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap Add files.
Step 2. Tap Images, select images to move, and then tap Done.
Step 3. Tap Move. The selected items will be deleted from the original folder and moved to Secure Folder. To copy items, tap Copy.
Note: The method for moving content may vary depending on the content type.
Move content from Secure Folder to the corresponding app in the default storage. Follow the steps below to move an image from Secure Folder to the default storage.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder and tap Gallery.
Step 2. Select an image and tap More options (three vertical dots) and then tap Move out of Secure Folder. The selected items will be moved to Gallery in the default storage.
Add an app to use in Secure Folder.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap Add apps.
Step 2. Select one or more apps installed on the device and tap Add. To install apps from Play Store or Galaxy Store, tap Download from Play Store or Download from Galaxy Store.
Add your Samsung and Google accounts, or other accounts, to sync with the apps in Secure Folder.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap More options (three vertical dots).
Step 2. Tap Settings > Accounts > Add account.
Step 3. Select an account service.
Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the account setup.
You can hide the Secure Folder shortcut from the Apps screen.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap More options (three vertical dots).
Step 2. Tap Settings > switch off Show icon on Apps screen to deactivate it.
Alternatively, swipe down the Quick panel, and then tap Secure Folder to deactivate the feature.
Back up content and apps in Secure Folder to Samsung Cloud using your Samsung account and restore them later.
Backing up data
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap More options (three vertical dots).
Step 2. Tap Settings, and then tap Backup and restore.
Step 3. Tap Add account and follow the on-screen instructions to complete signing into your Samsung account.
Step 4. Tap Back up Secure Folder data.
Step 5. Select items you want to back up and tap Back up. Data will be backed up to Samsung Cloud.
Restoring data
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap More options (three vertical dots).
Step 2. Tap Settings, and then tap Backup and restore > tap Restore.
Step 3. Select a device to restore the data.
Step 4. Select items you want to restore, and tap Restore. Backed up data will be restored to your device.
Please Note: The Backup feature of Secure Folder is not available from Samsung mobile devices based on Android R OS released in 2021. It’s recommended to back up the necessary data using the Smart Switch or backup feature of each application.
You can uninstall Secure Folder, including the content and apps in it.
Step 1. Go to Secure Folder > tap More options (three vertical dots).
Step 2. Tap Settings > More settings > Uninstall.
To back up content before uninstalling Secure Folder, check Move media files out of Secure Folder and tap Uninstall.
Note: Available settings and screens may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and device.
If you're experiencing unusual behavior 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 anonymized and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about how to send an error report here: How to use the Samsung Members app
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