What Secure Folder is and how to find it

Secure Folder is a password-protected space on your Samsung phone that stores files, photos, and apps separately from the rest of your device. It uses encryption — a method that scrambles your data so only someone with the correct password can read it. Think of it as a locked drawer inside your phone that requires its own key.

Secure Folder comes built into most Samsung phones made in the last five years. You access it through your phone's app drawer, usually labeled "Secure Folder" with a folder icon. On some older Samsung models, it may be called "Knox Vault" instead. If you don't see it in your app drawer, your phone model may not include it, or it may need to be turned on in your settings.

The folder is separate from your regular phone storage. Files you put inside Secure Folder don't show up in your normal photo gallery, file manager, or email. This separation is intentional — it means someone who picks up your phone and opens your photos won't see what's in Secure Folder unless they know the password.

Key Takeaways

  • Secure Folder is a built-in encrypted storage space on Samsung phones that requires a separate password to open.
  • You can store photos, documents, apps, and files inside Secure Folder, and they won't appear in your regular phone storage.
  • The first time you open Secure Folder, you'll create a password or use your fingerprint or face recognition to lock it.
  • You can move files into Secure Folder from your phone's regular storage, or take new photos and videos directly inside the folder.
  • If you forget your Secure Folder password, you'll need to reset it using your Samsung account or phone PIN.

Opening Secure Folder for the first time

Find the Secure Folder app in your app drawer and tap it. The first time you open it, your phone will ask you to create a lock method. You have three options: a password (numbers and letters), your fingerprint, or your face. Most people choose fingerprint because it's faster to unlock each time, but any method works.

After you set your lock method, the app will ask you to sign in with your Samsung account. This is important — your Samsung account is how you can recover access if you forget your password later. You'll need the email address and password for the Samsung account you use on this phone. If you don't have a Samsung account, you can create one during this step.

Once you've set your lock and signed in, Secure Folder opens and shows you an empty folder. You're now ready to add files.

Moving files into Secure Folder

You can move existing files from your phone into Secure Folder, or create new ones inside it. To move files that already exist on your phone, open Secure Folder and look for an "Add" button or a plus sign. Tap it, then select "Add files" or "Add photos." Your phone will open your regular file manager or photo gallery, and you can choose which files to move in.

You can also move files by opening your regular file manager or photo gallery, finding the file you want, and looking for a "Move" or "Cut" option in the menu. Then open Secure Folder and paste the file there. The exact steps vary slightly depending on your Samsung model and Android version, but the principle is the same: find the file, cut or copy it, then paste it into Secure Folder.

If you want to take a new photo or video that goes directly into Secure Folder, open Secure Folder and look for a camera icon. Tap it to open the camera, and anything you photograph will be saved inside the folder rather than in your regular photo gallery.

Locking and unlocking Secure Folder

Every time you close Secure Folder and open it again, your phone will ask you to unlock it using the method you chose — fingerprint, face, or password. This happens automatically. You don't need to do anything extra to lock it; closing the app is enough.

If you want to change your lock method after you've set it up, open Secure Folder, tap the menu (usually three dots in the corner), and look for "Settings" or "Security." From there you can change your password, add or remove fingerprint access, or switch to face recognition. You'll need to enter your current password or use your current lock method to make changes.

If you haven't used Secure Folder in a while, your phone may lock it automatically for security. This is normal. Just tap the app again and unlock it with your fingerprint, face, or password.

What to do if you forget your Secure Folder password

If you forget your password and can't unlock Secure Folder with your fingerprint or face, you can reset it using your Samsung account. When you try to unlock Secure Folder and enter the wrong password multiple times, your phone will show a "Forgot password?" link. Tap it, then sign in with your Samsung account email and password. Your phone will let you create a new password for Secure Folder.

This reset process only works if you remember your Samsung account password. If you've forgotten both your Secure Folder password and your Samsung account password, you'll need to reset your Samsung account through Samsung's website before you can regain access to Secure Folder. This is by design — it prevents someone else from resetting your Secure Folder if they steal your phone.

If you reset your Secure Folder password, any files inside it remain safe. The reset only changes the lock, not the encrypted storage itself.

Removing files from Secure Folder

To take a file out of Secure Folder and move it back to your regular phone storage, open Secure Folder, find the file, and tap and hold it. A menu will appear with options like "Move" or "Copy." Select "Move," then choose where you want it to go — usually your Downloads folder or your photo gallery. The file will then appear in your regular storage and no longer be inside Secure Folder.

Be aware that once you move a file out of Secure Folder, it's no longer encrypted in the same way. It will be visible in your regular file manager or photo gallery like any other file on your phone. Only move files out of Secure Folder if you're sure you want them to be accessible without the Secure Folder password.

Uninstalling Secure Folder

You can turn off Secure Folder if you no longer want to use it. Open Secure Folder, tap the menu, and look for "Settings" or "About." There should be an option to "Uninstall" or "Disable" Secure Folder. Your phone will ask you what you want to do with the files inside — you can move them to your regular storage or delete them. Choose carefully, because deleting files this way removes them permanently.

After you uninstall Secure Folder, the app disappears from your app drawer. You can reinstall it later by going to the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store and searching for "Secure Folder," but you'll need to set it up again from the beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else open my Secure Folder if they have my phone?

No, not without your password, fingerprint, or face. Secure Folder requires its own unlock method separate from your phone's main lock screen. Even if someone knows your phone's PIN or password, they still can't open Secure Folder without the correct credentials for that specific folder.

What happens to my Secure Folder if I factory reset my phone?

A factory reset erases everything on your phone, including Secure Folder and all files inside it. Before you factory reset, move any files you want to keep out of Secure Folder to your regular storage, or back them up to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.

Can I use Secure Folder to hide apps?

Yes. You can move apps into Secure Folder so they don't appear on your home screen or app drawer. To do this, open Secure Folder, tap "Add," select "Add apps," and choose which apps you want to move in. The apps will only be accessible from inside Secure Folder.

Is Secure Folder the same as my phone's regular password lock?

No. Your phone's lock screen password protects your entire phone, while Secure Folder is an additional encrypted storage space inside your phone. You can have different passwords for each. Secure Folder adds an extra layer of protection for specific files you want to keep private.

Can I back up files from Secure Folder to the cloud?

You can move files out of Secure Folder and then back them up normally, but files inside Secure Folder itself don't sync to cloud services like Google Drive or OneDrive. This is intentional — it keeps your encrypted files only on your device. If you want cloud backup for sensitive files, move them out of Secure Folder first, then back them up.