Use the Secure Folder on your Galaxy phone
You keep everything on your phone, including private information and potentially embarrassing photos. With Secure Folder, you can hide your personal data using a special passcode. That way, no one will see your stash of selfies.
Note: Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider and software version.
Set up Secure Folder
Note: If your device does not support Secure Folder, the feature will not appear in the Security and privacy menu.
In real life, a good security system means a lot of cameras and locks. Luckily, setting up Secure Folder on your phone is much simpler.
Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder. Tap Continue.
Allow the necessary permissions by tapping Continue. If needed, sign into your Samsung account, and then tap OK.
You'll be prompted to set up a security method like a PIN, password, or pattern for accessing Secure Folder. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your passcode and access to your Secure Folder. Then, tap OK.
You'll be prompted to turn on Reset with Samsung account. If you do not turn on this option, you will not be able to access your Secure Folder if you forget your PIN, password, or pattern. Tap Activate if you'd like to be able to recover your Secure Folder.
Add apps or files in Secure Folder
You want to download your bank’s app, but you’re nervous someone will steal your information. If you add the app to Secure Folder, no one will even know it is on your phone except you.
After Secure Folder is set up, tap Add apps (the plus sign). Tap a desired app to put in the folder, and then tap Add. You'll see a copy of the app in your Secure Folder.
To add files, tap More options (the three vertical dots) and then tap Add files. You can now choose the type of file, or use My Files to find any file on your device.
Move files to Secure Folder
You can add pictures or files to your Secure Folder any time, even when you aren’t signed into it.
Navigate to and open an app with files, such as Gallery.
Touch and hold the file(s) you want to move into Secure Folder.
Tap More and then tap Move to Secure Folder.
The file will be moved and you can view it in Secure Folder.
Note: Files need to be saved in your internal storage or to your SD card to be moved to Secure Folder. Files saved on your Cloud account can’t be moved to Secure Folder.
Remove files from Secure Folder
What if you want to show a friend a picture or a video hidden in your Secure Folder? You'll need to use My Files in Secure Folder.
Navigate to and open Secure Folder.
Enter your Secure Folder passcode information if prompted.
Tap My Files and search for the file you want to move out of Secure Folder.
Touch and hold the file, and then tap More. Tap Move out of Secure Folder.
Note: If the file was previously saved on your SD card, it will be moved to a new folder in the Gallery app and saved in your phone’s internal storage.
Hide the Secure Folder
If you don't want anyone to even know the Secure Folder exists on your phone, you can hide it from your Apps screen.
Swipe down using two fingers to access the Quick Settings panel. Swipe to and tap Secure Folder to hide or unhide the app.
You can also go to Settings, tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder. Sign in, and then tap the switch next to Add Secure Folder to Apps screen to turn it on or off.
Finally, you can keep the Secure Folder in plain sight by changing its name or icon. Navigate to and open Secure Folder, and then enter your security credentials if prompted. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Customize. From here, you can change the app's name and icon. When you're done, tap Apply.
Ways to access Secure Folder
There are a few ways to find and open Secure Folder, whether you’ve hidden it or just want a new way to access it. You can also reset your security credentials, such as your password, if you've forgotten it.
From Quick settings: Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick settings panel, and then touch and hold the Secure Folder icon. Enter your security credentials when prompted. These steps will also help you to unhide the Secure Folder if it’s been hidden from your Apps screen; just open the Apps screen and tap Secure Folder to open it.
From the Apps screen: From a Home screen, swipe up to open the Apps screen, and then tap Secure Folder. Enter your security credentials when prompted.
From Settings: Open Settings, then tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder. Enter your security credentials when prompted. Then, open Secure Folder from the Apps screen.
Uninstall Secure Folder
Secure Folder can be completely uninstalled from your phone if you wish to remove all of its contents.
Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder.
Tap More settings, and then tap Uninstall.
Review the information, and then tap Uninstall to confirm. You can also select the option for Move media files out of Secure Folder before uninstalling.
Reset the PIN, password, or pattern for Secure Folder
If you’ve forgotten the security credentials for your Secure Folder, you can easily reset it if you have enabled Reset with Samsung account.
Note: If you did not activate Reset with Samsung account when you set your security method, you will not be able to recover access to your Secure Folder.
Navigate to and open Secure Folder, and then enter what you think is your PIN, pattern, or password.
If it is incorrect, tap Forgot on the prompt. Then, tap Reset on the pop-up, and sign in to your Samsung account.
You will be prompted to select another PIN, pattern, password, or registered fingerprint.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your new security credentials. Now, you’ll be able to access Secure Folder again.
Manage account sync and backup options
Note: Backing up your data is no longer supported for Secure Folder, but you can still restore data from previous backups.
Data from your Samsung account can be restored to Secure Folder if needed.
Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder.
Tap Restore from backup, and then tap Add account.
You will be prompted to sign in to your Samsung account. Enter your account credentials, and then tap Sign in.
Agree to the terms and conditions. You may be prompted to verify your device using 2-step verification.
Next, navigate back to Settings, then tap Security and privacy, and then tap Secure Folder. Tap Restore from backup again.
Tap Restore, and then select your desired data. Tap Restore to begin restoring from your Samsung account.
You can also remove the data that has been restored. Navigate back to the Restore from backup screen, and then tap Delete Secure Folder backup data.
Update Secure Folder and apps
The Secure Folder can be updated to the latest version using its Settings menu. You can also use the Play Store or Galaxy Store to update the apps in your Secure Folder.
Navigate to and open the Secure Folder, and then tap More options (the three vertical dots).
Tap Settings, and then swipe to and tap About Secure Folder. From here, you can update the Secure Folder if an update is available.
To update the apps in your Secure Folder, navigate to and open the Play Store, and then tap your Samsung account icon in the top right corner.
From the Overview tab, tap Updates available. Tap Update next to your desired app, or tap Update all at the top.
Or, open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu at the bottom. Tap Updates, and then tap the Update icon next to your desired app. Or, tap Update all at the top.
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