Many people have sensitive or private information on their phones, such as personal photos, videos, sound recordings, messages, documents or apps that they don’t want others to access. Samsung phone users can hide their files and apps on their mobile phones using different methods.
Please note that the specific steps and options may vary depending on your phone model and the software version your devices are running on.
Method 1. Protect your files in the Secure Folder
On recent Samsung Galaxy phone models, the new Secure Folder allows you to store files, apps, and data in a secure, private space.
Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and select Biometrics and Security. Tap on Secure Folder and follow the setup process. You will need to sign into or create a Samsung Account. You can choose the lock method you wish to use, Pattern, PIN, Password, or biometric lock to keep your data safe from any prying eyes. After that a shortcut to the Secure Folder will be added to your Home and Apps screen
You can move or copy files into the Secure Folder and they will be hidden from regular file explorers. Remember that choosing copy will create another version of your file within the Secure Folder, while choosing move will move the original file.
Method 2. Hide or encrypt files in My Files
You can hide files within the default file manager app, My Files, on Samsung Galaxy mobile phones.
Open the My Files app on your Samsung mobile. Navigate to the file you want to hide. Select the file, then tap the menu icon (usually three dots) and select Lock, Encrypt, Move to Private or a similar option if available. This option may vary depending on your phone’s version. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.
Method 3. Hide files and folders on Samsung mobile by renaming
Open the My Files app on Samsung phone, tap Device storage, then browse to the file or folder you want to hide. Long press on the file or folder to select it, touch the Menu (three vertical dots) at the top-right corner, choose Rename from the drop-down menu list. The Rename dialogue pops up. Just put a period at the beginning of the current name and save, the rename file or folder will become invisible in My Files app on Samsung phone.
This will make the file hidden from most file browsers, but it’s not very secure and can still be accessed if someone knows the file name.
Show hidden files and folders on Samsung mobile phone
Launch the My Files app on Samsung phone, touch the Menu (three vertical dots) at the top-right corner, choose Settings from the drop-down menu list.
Tap to check the “Show hidden files“, you will then be able to find all hidden files on Samsung phone.
Method 4. Protect files using third-party apps
When you need to allow other people to use your phone and want to keep certain files and folders secret, you can download third-party apps, such as file managers, locker & security apps, from the Google Play Store. These apps typically allow you lock the files and folders with a password, PIN, pattern or fingerprint.