Securing files stored locally on your smartphone is never a bad idea and now Google Photos is extending the availability of the Locked Folder feature to owners of non-Pixel Android devices. Among the apps in which it is particularly useful to be able to set security functions are undoubtedly the file manager and the gallery. Staying at Google, Files has already had a Security Folder for several months, which allows you to store certain files in a folder protected by a PIN or a security sequence.
Google Photos locked folder
More recently, Google Photos has also joined Files: the Blocked folder function was officially announced last May, while the rollout had taken place during the month of June. However, in the early stages the feature was only made available for Pixel series smartphones.
We need to arrive in October to find the announcement by Big G of the release of the function also for the other Android devices and for the version of Google Photos for iOS. At that time, the Mountain View giant had promised availability by the end of the year and, at least as regards the Android world, it seems that the promise has been kept.
The screenshots you see below, for example, come from the writer’s POCO F2 Pro and show that the Google Photos Locked Folder feature is already starting to pop up on other brands’ smartphones. Availability is signaled by the appearance of a dedicated notification. Once the app is open, the function is accessible from the Library tab and follows the path Utilities> Locked folder. The configuration of the function is very simple and allows you to choose the screen lock to use to protect the folder, also allowing you to use the fingerprint unlock.
Useful information about the function
The Locked Folder secures the files moved into it, which are not shown in the Google Photos grid, in memories, in searches, in albums and in other smartphone apps that have access to photos and videos. The feature requires Android 6 or later. Files placed in the Locked Folder are not moved to other devices when data is transferred via cable or via the cloud. Naturally, photos and videos thus secured are still accessible by those who have the physical availability of the device and know the screen lock used.
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If you uninstall the Google Photos app or delete the app data, all the items that were placed in the Locked Folder are deleted without the possibility of recovery. This is because the cloud backups of photos and videos placed in the Locked Folder are deleted.
It is good to clarify that the movement only touches the originally selected element, any copies remain available and visible in the positions in which they were stored (including the Recycle Bin). In a nutshell, users who wish to save such photos and videos will be required to move them out of the Locked Folder before making the mentioned changes.
Limited to Google Pixel devices (from 3 onwards), it is possible to save the photos taken directly into the Google Photos Blocked Folder. Finally, Google is keen to underline the difference between this new function and the Google Photo Archive: the second, unlike the first, is not protected by the lock screen; Archived photos and videos are not shown in the app grid, however, they remain visible when you search in the app.