Google Photos’ New Locked Folder: Everything You Need To Know
Contents
- 1 What is the Google Photos Locked Folder?
- 2 Are photos in the Locked Folder Backed up?
- 3 How do you add to the Locked Folder?
- 4 Can I move existing pictures to the Locked Folder?
- 5 What’s the difference between this and Samsung’s Secure Folder?
- 6 Which smartphones get access to this feature?
- 7 Is it worth using?
At Google I/O 2021, the company announced a slew of new features for its Google Photos product. But one of those new features for Google Photos that really stood out was, the Locked Folder.
This is yet another reason why users are likely going to stick with Google Photos, even after it gets rid of the unlimited storage feature on June 1. Which has annoyed many people – including yours truly – but because of how useful Google Photos is, it’s unlikely that Google will see a huge exodus when the change takes place on June 1.
It’s a pretty simple concept, but Google has not given much info about the feature just yet. So we’ve put together this guide to help you learn everything that you need to know about the Google Photos Locked Folder.
What is the Google Photos Locked Folder?
Google says that the Photos Locked Folder is a way for you to move photos into a folder that is locked behind a passcode. So that when you hand your phone to someone to show them a picture, when they inevitably scroll through your library, they don’t come across any sensitive pictures.
Of course, Google’s examples are of driver’s licenses, passports and stuff like that. But most people are likely going to use this to store nudes that they’ve taken (and likely sent to their significant other).
The Locked Folder is going to be locked behind your phone’s passcode. However, it isn’t unlocked once you unlock the phone. You’ll need to tap on the “Locked Folder” inside the Google Photos app, then authenticate yourself again. So even if you hand your phone to someone, and they tap on the Locked Folder, they won’t be able to access it. Thankfully. Think of it like your bank app, or another app that needs authentication.
Once you have added photos to your Locked Folder, they will not show up in your grid, memories, search or in albums. It’s like they are completely gone, other than being in the Locked Folder. Which means that it is truly locked and secure.
Are photos in the Locked Folder Backed up?
No.
Google wants to make sure that the photos in your Locked Folder are secure, and that means you can’t store them in the cloud. We’ve all seen instances of cloud platforms getting hacked – like iCloud for example. So keeping these photos from being backed up to the cloud, means that they are less likely to get into the wrong hands.
If you move existing photos into the Locked Folder, Google says that “cloud backups of these items will be deleted.” Additionally, they will also be removed from your existing albums, memories and photo print orders. They also will not be shown on Google smart displays, like the new Nest Hub.
Google also has a long list of other things that can’t be done with the Locked Folder pictures. You also won’t be able to edit these photos, share them, add them to an album or photo book and you won’t be able to share them on social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. Which is kind of the point of keeping these photos private. So while it sounds like a whole lot of things can’t be done here, that’s by design.
How do you add to the Locked Folder?
Currently, the Locked Folder is coming to Pixel devices first. So we only really know how this works on Pixel smartphones for now. As Google has said it will come to other devices later this year. But it has not yet rolled out.
There are going to be two ways to use the Locked Folder on the Pixel. Firstly, you can save snaps directly to the folder from the Pixel Camera. The other way is to move existing images and videos to the folder after it is set up. Google does say that non-Pixel devices will only be able to do the latter, unfortunately.
Firstly, you’ll want to set up your locked folder. So head into the Google Photos app. Then tap on Library, and then Utilities. Towards the bottom of the screen, you’ll see “Locked Folder”, tap on that. And then tap on “Set Up Locked Folder”. It’ll walk you through setting it up, which is pretty simple.
You can easily move photos to the Locked Folder within Google Photos, like you were adding photos to an album. But to automatically add new photos to this folder, you will need to take a few steps. So open the Pixel Camera, and then tap on the Photo Gallery, and then Locked Folder. So now when you take a new photo, it’ll automatically be added to the Locked Folder.
Keep in mind that this means every photo will be added. So it might be better to just do it later in the Google Photos app. Unless you want every picture ever taken to be added to the Locked Folder.
Can I move existing pictures to the Locked Folder?
Yes. And this is how most people are going to use the Locked Folder.
As mentioned above, you can opt to send every photo to the Locked Folder, but that’s likely not ideal. So instead, most people will be moving to the folder after they are taken.
To move photos to the Locked Folder, select the ones you want, by long-pressing them (you’ll need to do this on your smartphone, and not the Google Photos website). Then tapping on the “More” option in the top-right corner. Next, tap on “Move to Locked Folder”. And then tap on “Move” to move them to the Locked Folder. Now they will be in the password-protected folder.
As we’ve mentioned already, once you move photos to the Locked Folder, they won’t be backed up tot he cloud. Unless you opt to upload them elsewhere like Dropbox, Google Drive, or somewhere else.
What’s the difference between this and Samsung’s Secure Folder?
When Google first announced this, it seemed like the Locked Folder was a big difference from Samsung’s own Secure Folder. But now that we’ve gotten more information on this feature, it seems that it is very similar actually.
Samsung’s Secure Folder is a way for you to add files, pictures and more items to a locked folder that is secured behind a password. So that other people can’t access them. The big difference here is that Google Photos doesn’t do this with documents, only with Photos. Especially since it can’t be uploaded to the cloud.
So in all honesty, this is basically Samsung’s Secure Folder, but now for all of Android (starting with Pixel, of course).
Which smartphones get access to this feature?
Google says that the Locked Folder feature will be available for Pixels first. And will roll out to other Android smartphones later this year. While we don’t know for sure which other Android smartphones will be compatible, we do know which Pixel phones are compatible:
- Pixel 3
- Pixel 3 XL
- Pixel 3a
- Pixel 3a XL
- Pixel 4
- Pixel 4 XL
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4a 5G
- Pixel 5
We could gather from this list, that any device released after 2019 would be supported (even though the Pixel 3 came out in late 2018). But that is not for certain.
Is it worth using?
If you’re okay with these photos not being backed up to the cloud, then it is definitely worth using. Especially if you’re worried about some sensitive photos getting accessed in a hack, or others seeing it when you give them your phone.
The new Google Photos Locked Folder is just another reason to use Google Photos over any of the competitors that are out there. Google knew it was doing when it offered unlimited storage for nearly seven years, and then pulling the rug out from under everyone by killing off the unlimited storage option (except for Pixels).
This feature should be rolling out in the coming weeks, Google has not yet rolled it out and has not said when it is coming. But it is highly doubtful that it needs Android 12 to work. But considering it says that it will roll out to additional Android devices “throughout the year” it likely is coming well before Fall.
- The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Are Just $99 – Today Only
- This Supersonic Turntable’s aesthetics are inspired by the current brutalist architecture trend!
- Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Price & Specs Leak Ahead Of Launch
- Ongoing outage on App Store Connect affecting some developers [U: Fixed]
- Everything There Is To Know So Far About The New Wear OS
- Phone Comparisons: ASUS ZenFone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S21