If you signed up for Google Photos backup services, then rest assured that each photo your take or video that you record is saved up to the cloud. Fortunately, Google Photos’ Locked folder feature changes that notion. With the locked folder feature, users can save sensitive photos and videos to a folder protected by your device screen lock in the Google Photos app. In this article, we shall guide you on how to use Google Photo’s locked folder feature.
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What is the Google Photos’ Locked Folder Feature and How Does it Work?
Google Photos’ epitome goal is to help back up media across devices. As you know the drill, if something happens to your phone, you can always access your photos/videos from the cloud since they are already backed up. However, sometimes, you might not want some photos/videos to be affiliated with your backup cloud. In such situations, you can always put the photos and videos in a locked folder. The locked folder hides all its components and can only be accessed by entering the lock screen pin/using your thumbprint. As a result of this, all items (photos and videos) are fully secured and can only be accessible by launching the Locked Folder directly. In such a cause, other apps or other devices have no access to the hidden images.
Photos that are moved to the Locked Folder from your backed-up images will be taken out of the cloud and will not be backed up.
All items in your Locked Folder that are saved to your device are not moved to other devices during cable or cloud data transfers.
If you uninstall the Photos app or clear your Photos app data, you will lose all items in your Locked Folder. To save these items, remove them from Locked Folder before you make changes.
Google Photos’ feature is only available on Android 6 and later.
How to Create a Locked up Folder
Before you think about moving photos and videos to the locked folder, you will be prompted to set up the locked up folder first. Here is how you can create a locked-up folder with these easy steps.
1. Launch the Google Photos app.
2. Go to Library and then select Utilities.
3. From the displayed menu list, tap on Locked Folder, and on the next page tap on Set up Locked Folder.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to unlock your device. If your folder is empty, you’ll find “Nothing here yet.”
Quick Note: If you don’t have a screen lock set up for your device, you’ll need to set one up to use the Locked Folder.
How to Move Photos and Videos to a Locked Folder
After creating a locked folder, you can always choose to move desired photos and videos to the folder. There are two methods that can help you achieve the same goal. Here is how you can move photos and videos to a locked folder
Method 1:
1. Go to the locked folder then tap on the add image icon at the top right.
2. You will be referred to a backed-up media page. Now, select the photos and videos you want to add to the Locked Folder.
2. Upon selecting what you want to move to the folder tap “MOVE.” Tap the More button (three vertical dots) at the top right corner.
3. You will be prompted to Unlock the Locked Folder with your fingerprint or PIN again.
4. To confirm that you want to move the media files to the LOcked folder, you will have to tap “MOVE” again.
Method 2:
1. Open Google Photos on your Android device.
2. Tap Library at the bottom of the screen.
3. Under the Photos on device section, tap View all.
4. Tap an album that contains images you want to lock.
5. Long tap to select photos and videos.
6. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right corner and select Move to Locked Folder.
7. Confirm and tap Move.