One UI features a captivating privacy function that enables you to lock apps, photos, videos, and files on your Galaxy device using Samsung's defense-grade Knox security platform. Accessing it requires a pattern, PIN, passcode, or biometrics such as fingerprints and iris scans. It's akin to having a personal safe integrated into your smartphone, and setting it up is straightforward.

Unwanted photos. Private videos. Bank accounts. Password lists. Dating apps. These are just a few instances of content you might wish to keep away from prying eyes and malicious attacks. All of these can be stored in Samsung's encrypted Secure Folder, a protected vault for Galaxy devices.

What Is Samsung's Secure Folder?

Samsung's Secure Folder is an isolated environment entirely separate from the rest of your Galaxy device. You cannot access anything placed inside it from outside the Knox-protected vault, but you can verify your identity to view its contents anytime. Secure Folder also guards against external access methods like USB-connected devices and Wi-Fi Direct.

• Don't Miss: Is Your Android Device Spying on You? Here's How to Detect and Gain Control

According to Samsung, "If your mobile device detects any rooting or custom ROMs, Secure Folder will automatically lock up to prevent unauthorized access, in which case you will no longer be able to access or use the contents within Secure Folder." That's the one drawback to using Secure Folder, but it's meant to enhance the security of all your content from external threats.

Samsung recommends that "you back up any important applications or data elsewhere, such as on your personal computer, before moving them to Secure Folder."

Compatible Devices

Secure Folder is available on but not limited to the phones listed below. It can also be downloaded and installed from the Galaxy Store and works with most Samsung phones and tablets running Android N (7.0) or above.

• Samsung Galaxy S6 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and newer
• Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) and newer
• Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro and newer

However, you'll likely have a smoother experience on models with newer software. The following devices support One UI 5 and later (Android 13 and later).

• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and newer
• And select Samsung Galaxy A series models from 2019 and later

Access Secure Folder Settings

On your Galaxy device, navigate to the Secure Folder settings. You can search for Secure Folder in the Settings app or locate it directly. The menu path has varied over the years, but here are some examples of where you might find it:

• One UI 6: Settings ? Security and privacy ? More security settings ? Secure Folder
• One UI 5: Settings ? Security and privacy ? Secure Folder
• One UI 4: Settings ? Biometrics and security ? Secure Folder
• Samsung Experience 10: Settings ? Biometrics and security ? Secure Folder
• Samsung Experience 9: Settings ? Lock screen and security ? Secure Folder

When you encounter the "Welcome to Secure Folder" information screen, tap Continue. If you're already logged into your Samsung Account, which is required for Secure Folder, it will proceed to request permissions. If not, follow the prompts to either create an account or log in, leading to the permissions screen.

Secure Folder needs permission to access your calendar, contacts, photos and videos, music and audio, and phone app. Afterward, wait a moment while your Samsung Galaxy creates your Secure Folder.

Choose Your Unlock Method

The subsequent page allows you to select the unlock method for Secure Folder. Press the Done button on the "Set a pattern, PIN, or password" alert to view the full lock type menu, which states:

Select a lock type to protect your apps and private files. If you forget how to unlock Secure Folder, you can reset your lock using your Samsung account.

You can choose between Pattern, PIN, and Password, and you can also enable Fingerprints or Iris as biometric keys to your encrypted Secure Folder. If you opt for a biometric method and haven't already set it up on your device, follow the prompts to prepare everything. You can use fingerprint or iris biometrics alongside one of the regular lock types to access your vault in two ways.

Find Your New Secure Folder

Now that your Secure Folder is created, you can locate it on your Apps screen. It should appear there. If not, swipe up on the Home screen to access the App screen.

Similar to any other app or folder on the Apps screen, you can add it to your Home screen for easier access. To do so, long-press Secure Folder and tap Add to Home, or long-press and drag and drop the Secure Folder icon to the desired spot on the Home screen.

Open Your Secure Folder

Tap the Secure Folder icon to open it, then use biometrics or your pattern, PIN, or password to authenticate yourself.

You might already see Samsung apps like Calendar, Camera, Contacts, Gallery, Internet, My Files, and Notes in your Secure Folder. That's because Samsung assumes you're most likely to need these to secure private photos and videos, certain contacts, specific files, private events, etc.

Add Apps to Secure Folder

To include more apps in the folder, tap the plus ( ) sign, select the app or apps you need from the list, and tap Add. Any apps added this way will be copied into your Secure Folder, not moved. Instead of hiding the app behind lock and key, you're hiding a copy of the app.

• Don't Miss: How to Clone Any Android App on Your Samsung Galaxy Without Using Third-Party Tools

However, you can have an app exist solely in Secure Folder. To do so, tap the plus ( ) sign and choose Download from Play Store or Download from Galaxy Store. For Google Play, you may need to sign in to your Google account from within the sandboxed environment. Any apps installed from these app stores via Secure Folder will only appear in the Secure Folder.

As mentioned earlier, if you clone an app into Secure Folder, you can delete the original app from your Apps or Home screen so that only the secure version remains.

Add Files to Secure Folder

To add files such as documents, images, videos, and audio files, open Secure Folder, tap the vertical ellipsis, then choose Add files. A popup will appear with categories to select content to copy or move into Secure Folder.

Select a category, find and highlight the content you want to copy or move, and then hit Done. Next, choose to Copy or Move it to Secure Folder.

You can also add files to Secure Folder from outside of Secure Folder. For example, to move a photo or video from the Gallery app, select it, tap More, and choose Move to Secure Folder. The item will then disappear from the current view. It's similar in My Files; Select the file, tap More, and choose Move to Secure Folder.

If you prefer not to move it, there's a way to copy it instead. To do so, hit the Share button after selecting the file or files, then choose Copy to Secure Folder from the options. If you don't see Copy to Secure Folder, swipe to and select More, pick Secure Folder, authenticate yourself if needed, and then hit Copy to Secure Folder.

![](/uploads/

The above is the detailed content of Lock Apps and Files on Your Samsung Galaxy. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!