How to hide sensitive photos on your Android or iPhone
We always value privacy for our favorite media or with the photos we share. Our galleries may contain personal memories or intimate details about our lives. You can easily share photos and videos with family and friends on your smartphone. Whether you use abudget Android phoneor a high-end device, you may want to keep select photos and videos private. This guide shows you how to safeguard photos using preinstalled apps, trusted third-party applications, and included software features.
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How to hide photos on an Android phone with Google Photos
Google Photos is one of the most widespread gallery apps on Android phones. In addition to offering plenty of handy features to find, share, and edit pictures, the app has a built-in Locked Folder in which you can hide private media. Before putting sensitive content in it, set up your Locked Folder in Google Photos.
Set up your Locked Folder
Now that you have set up the Locked Folder, it’s time to add media files to it.
Hide existing photos in your Locked folder
There are two ways to add photos and videos to the Locked Folder. it’s possible to add them while viewing an individual picture or from the media library.
That’s all there is to it. If you’re only adding one photo or video, click the media file, swipe up to check more details, and select theMove to Locked Folderoption to hide it.
Automatically add new camera shots to your Locked Folder (Google Pixel only)
If you have a Google Pixel 3 or newer, you can automatically save new pictures you took using the camera app in your Locked Folder. Consider doing this if you want all the photos on your phone’s camera hidden from your gallery. Also, keep in mind the instructions below only work for Pixel handsets.
From now on, photos and videos you capture using your Pixel phone go straight to the Locked Folder in Google Photos.
Access hidden media in the Locked Folder
Now that your Lock Folder safeguards your private images and videos, you might want to know how to access them. it’s possible to retrieve your hidden media files in the Google Photos Utilities menu.
Google’s Lock Folder implementation has some disadvantages. Google doesn’t sync your Locked Folder unless you turn on its backup in your settings. If you uninstall Google Photos or reset the device, you lose all the data in the Locked Folder unless it’s backed up online.
How to hide photos using Private Space on an Android phone
Android 15came with a slew of privacy-focused features. One of these features is Private Space. It works similarly to Samsung’s Secure Folder, but instead of being a separate app on your device, you create a dedicated space to hide your apps, files, and media. it’s possible to use Private Space with Google Photos. The feature isn’t on by default; you must enable it by openingSettings>Privacy & security>Private space.
Work and play, separated safely
Private Space is connected to a Google Photos duplicate by default. There’s no way to manually move your photos with Private Space without a few workarounds. Currently, it only works by uploading media to that Google account (or another) or using the built-in camera after you’ve set up your Private Space. However, you can move files using the share option in Google Photos, then selectPrivateto send it to your Private Space’s download folder. Then, you will be required to delete the original file from your phone once you’ve added it to your Private Space. It takes a few steps, but it’s well worth it.
How to hide photos on an Android phone using the Files app
Many Android phones often have Files by Google preinstalled. Like Google Photos, it has a Safe folder to store your private media files and documents. Follow the steps below to set up and use the Safe folder:
How to hide photos on your Samsung Galaxy phone
Most recent Samsung Galaxy phones, including theGalaxy S24,S24+, andS24 Ultra, come with Samsung Knox and feature a built-in Secure Folder in One UI (Samsung’s Android skin). The latter is a perfect option to secure private photos, videos, and apps.
That’s it. Now, it’s possible to add media to your Secure Folder, which is secluded from your phone’s normal interface.
How to hide photos in the Secure Folder
Use third-party apps to hide photos on Android phone or tablet
The Google Play Store has numerous third-party apps to hide photos and videos. However, you shouldn’t trust any random app. Trusting any random app with your private media is risky. We picked the top options.
Vaulty is a highly-rated app for hiding confidential media files on Android. you may use a PIN or a biometric method to secure the photos. You can also create several vaults in the app for added protection.
The app has a unique feature to disguise it as a fully functional calculator. Vaulty also captures a screenshot of a person trying to access private files. Apart from photos and videos, you can store your private files like your driver’s license, ID cards, and credit cards.
Unlike other third-party apps, LockMyPix encrypts your confidential photos and videos. It supports Face Unblock on devices like the Pixel 4, 5, and 6. You can also use a fake vault in the app to fool those who force you to open your private files. LockMyPix lets you disguise it as a calculator or radio app. If encryption is high on your priority list, go with this one.
Gallery Vault
Gallery Vault is another well-known app for hiding private media on Android. It encrypts photos and videos and supports hiding the app icon from the App Drawer menu.
If someone forces you to enter a passcode to check hidden media files, you can enter a fake one and show them fake content in the app. Gallery Vault supports fingerprint authentication. But we recommend storing your PIN in atop password manager.
How to hide photos on an iPhone
Like on Android devices, the default Photos app on iPhone and iPad allows you to protect sensitive media files in a hidden album without downloading third-party ones.
That’s all there is to it. It’s also easy to find your hidden media.
Google Photos is superior for cross-device photo management. We’ll help you transfer your Samsung Gallery images to the app quickly
How to access hidden media on your iPhone
To check the hidden album, activate it from the Photos settings.
Keep prying eyes away from private photos
You can protect your private pictures and videos from prying eyes with the tips in this guide. Most methods store the photos on your phone or in the cloud. You can also transfer pictures to aSynology NASso they’re on storage you own and control.
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For media you could use the simple .nomedia file type and it won’t show up in gallery apps.
The note-taking app I should have used all along
Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions
Not yet, anyway
A small but impactful change
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