Did you know ? On Android, Google Photos now gives you the option to create a locked folder. And with all the documents that we now carry on our phones (sometimes even identity documents, banking, etc.), this feature can be useful to protect your sensitive data!
Secure your photos
When you create a locked folder, only one way to access its contents: unlock it by what allows you to open your smartphone – fingerprint scanner, passcode, etc. A way to ensure that no one sees these photos without your consent.
But this security feature of course comes with a downside: photos and videos stored in locked folders won’t be backed up to your cloud account. So choose wisely the photos/videos you want to protect in this way.
To set up a locked folder in Google Photos on Android 12, follow the steps below. The process was performed on a Pixel phone, but it should be similar on all devices running Android 12.
Create a locked folder
Open the Google Photos app on your device. Go to the tab Librarythen click Helpful Hints :
A new window appears. Click on Configure locked folder :
From there, it is no longer possible to take screenshots – you are entering a “sensitive area”. So follow the instructions carefully. But don’t worry, you can do it all!
A new window will appear that says “Move to Locked Folder”. Click on Configure, at the bottom right of the screen. You will then have to authenticate yourself (by fingerprint, access code or other). Once authenticated, you will see “Nothing yet”. Click on Move items to select the photos you want to add to your locked folder.
To select the photos you want to lock, just touch them and then click Move at the top right of the screen:
It seems that the file picker is not considered a hotspot in Android.
You will again be prompted to authenticate. After that, Android will present you with a final warning indicating some “important reminders”:
- Attached photos, including copies and edited versions you’ve saved, won’t be moved automatically.
- Items will be deleted if you uninstall Google Photos and won’t be automatically moved when you switch devices.
Press on Continuethen on Move when prompted. Google Photos will then create the locked folder and add the selected photos to it.
Access locked folder
Now that you’ve created the locked folder and added your photos and videos, how do you access it? It’s very simple: open Google Photos, press Helpful Hintsthen scroll down the page, where you will find Folder locked.
Click on Folder lockedauthenticate, and you will then have access to all the photos and videos you have added to the locked folder.
If you use this feature wisely, it will keep prying eyes away from your most sensitive photos. Locked folders are particularly useful for keeping photos of your ID documents, driver’s license, bank cards or other documents, such as health documents.
Source: ZDNet.com