Protect your files with Safe folder (2024)

Table of Contents
Move files to your Safe folder View files in your Safe folder Move files out of your Safe folder Change your lock Reset your Safe folder Missing files in Safe folder issue Additional information Need more help? Try these next steps: Get Started with Files by Google FAQs

You can hide files in your Safe folder and control access with a PIN.

Tip: This feature is available for Android 8.0 and up.

Set up your Safe folder

Important: If you forget your PIN or Pattern, you can't access your files.

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (1).
  2. Scroll to "Collections."
  3. Tap Safe folder.
  4. Tap either PIN or Pattern.
    • If PIN is selected:
      1. Enter your PIN.
      2. Tap Next.
      3. In the "Confirm PIN" screen, re-enter your PIN.
      4. Tap Next.
      5. In the "Remember your PIN" screen, tap Got it.
    • If Pattern is selected:
      1. Draw your pattern.
      2. Tap Next.
      3. In the “Confirm Pattern” screen, re-draw your pattern.
      4. Tap Next.
      5. In the “Remember your pattern” screen, tap Got it.

Move files to your Safe folder

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (2).
  2. Find the files you want to move to the Safe folder.
  3. If you're in grid view Protect your files with Safe folder (3):
    1. To move files, touch and hold the files.
    2. At the top, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (4) Protect your files with Safe folder (5) Move to Safe folder.
  4. If you're in list view Protect your files with Safe folder (6):
    • To move one file:
      1. Tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (7) Protect your files with Safe folder (8) Move to Safe folder.
    • To move multiple files:
      1. Tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (9) Protect your files with Safe folder (10) Select.
      2. Next to each file you want to move, check the circle.
      3. At the top, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (11) Protect your files with Safe folder (12) Move to Safe folder.
  5. Enter the current PIN or Pattern that you set.
    • If PIN is set: In the "Confirm PIN" screen, enter your PIN.
    • If Pattern is set: In the “Draw pattern to move” screen, draw your pattern.
See Also
What Is a Website URL? The 3 Most Important Parts ExplainedHow to view or copy the full path of a folder or file.imagepathCopy image as data URI  |  Blog  |  Chrome for Developers

View files in your Safe folder

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (13).
  2. Scroll to "Collections."
  3. Tap Safe folder.
    To view your files:
    • If PIN is set: Enter your PIN, tap Next.
    • If Pattern is set: Draw your pattern.

Move files out of your Safe folder

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (14).
  2. Scroll to "Collections."
  3. Tap Safe folder.
  4. Enter your PIN.
  5. Tap Next.
  6. Find the files you want to move out of the folder.
    • To move one file:
      • In Grid view Protect your files with Safe folder (15):
        a.Press and hold the file.
        b.At the top right, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (16) Protect your files with Safe folder (17) Move out of Safe folder.
      • In List view Protect your files with Safe folder (18):
        a.Next to the file, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (19) Protect your files with Safe folder (20) Move out of Safe folder.
    • To move multiple files:
      • In Grid view Protect your files with Safe folder (21):
        a.Press and hold a file.
        b.To select more files, at the top of each file, tap the circle.
        c.At the top right, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (22) Protect your files with Safe folder (23) Move out of Safe folder.
      • In List view Protect your files with Safe folder (24):
        a.Next to a file, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (25).
        b.To select more files, next to each file, tap the circle.
        c.At the top right, tap More Protect your files with Safe folder (26) Protect your files with Safe folder (27) Move out of Safe folder.
  7. The file will be moved back to it's original location.
    • If the original location isn't available, the folder will be recreated.

Note:Stay in Safe folder until the transfer is complete. If you close Safe folder or open another app before the transfer is complete, the operation will be cancelled and the file will stay in Safe folder.

Change your lock

Important: If you forget your PIN or Pattern, you can't access your files.

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (28).
  2. At the top left, tap Menu Protect your files with Safe folder (29) Protect your files with Safe folder (30) Settings Protect your files with Safe folder (31).
  3. Select Safe folder Protect your files with Safe folder (32) Change lock.
  4. Enter the current PIN or Pattern that you set.
  5. In the “Choose a lock” screen, tap PIN or Pattern.
    • To set up a PIN:
      1. In the "Set a PIN" screen, enter the new PIN.
      2. Tap Next.
      3. In the "Confirm PIN" screen, re-enter the new PIN.
      4. Tap Next.
      5. In the "Remember your PIN" screen, tap Got it.
    • To set up a pattern:
      1. In the “Draw pattern” screen, draw a pattern.
      2. Tap Next.
      3. In the “Confirm pattern” screen, re-draw the pattern.
      4. Tap Next.
      5. In the "Remember your pattern" screen, tap Got it.

Reset your Safe folder

Important: When you reset your Safe folder, the files in this folder will be permanently lost.

  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Protect your files with Safe folder (33).
  2. At the top left, tap Menu Protect your files with Safe folder (34) Protect your files with Safe folder (35) Settings Protect your files with Safe folder (36).
  3. Select Safe folder Protect your files with Safe folder (37)Reset your Safe folder.
  4. In the confirmation dialog, tap Reset.

Missing files in Safe folder issue

Safe folder keeps your files secure using Android storage with encryption. On rare occasions, files can become corrupt or get deleted. When this happens, no one can see the content of your files anymore including Files by Google.

See Also
How do I find the URI for an Android app?

To secure access to your files, do not:

  • Clear storage or cache with other apps.
  • Plug in an SD card with Safe folder files from another phone.
  • Copy encrypted safe files from old phone to new phone.

Additional information

  • Installed apps can't be moved to the Safe folder.
  • Files in the Safe folder won't appear in search results or categories.
  • Files in the Safe folder can't be opened by any third party apps.
  • The "Share" and "Back up to Google Drive" options aren't available in the Safe folder.
  • Screenshots of the Safe folder can’t be taken.
  • Files in your Safe folder are protected by a lock, but anyone who gains unauthorized access to your device's internal storage may be able to access them.

Try now

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members
Protect your files with Safe folder (2024)

FAQs

Protect your files with Safe folder? ›

Way back in Android 8, Google introduced a protected folder in the Files application that password-protects access to any files within. That protected folder is called the Safe folder and it's built-in and free to use.

Know More ›
Is the Google files Safe folder safe? ›

Way back in Android 8, Google introduced a protected folder in the Files application that password-protects access to any files within. That protected folder is called the Safe folder and it's built-in and free to use.

Continue Reading ›
What is the difference between locked folder and safe folder? ›

The main difference between a Safe folder and a Locked folder is that you can store any type of files including photos, videos, and documents in the Safe folder. Whereas, the Locked folder can store only photos and videos.

Discover More Details ›
How to recover safe folder password without losing data? ›

There is no way to reset your password without losing data. If you forget the PIN or pattern of your Safe Folder, you will not be able to access it and probably the only way to access it is to remember your PIN or pattern. There is no way to reset your password without losing data.

Know More ›
How secure is the safe folder on Android? ›

The folder is protected by the defence-grade Samsung Knox security platform, which encrypts all data stored there, making sure that your information is kept safe from any malicious attacks.

Discover More ›
Are Google Drive files safe from hackers? ›

Data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest. If you choose to access these files offline, we store this info on your device. Your Google Account comes with built-in security designed to detect and block threats like spam, phishing and malware. Your activity is stored using strong industry standards and practices.

Discover More Details ›
Does Google have a secure folder? ›

Locked Folder is protected by Google Photos' standard encryption practices. Learn how Google Photos keeps your data private & secure. Important: Locked Folder is only available on devices with Android version 6 and later.

See Details ›
How to use Google safe folder? ›

View files in your Safe folder
  1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
  2. Scroll to "Collections."
  3. Tap Safe folder. To view your files: If PIN is set: Enter your PIN, tap Next. If Pattern is set: Draw your pattern.

Learn More ›
How do you tell if a folder is protected? ›

View or change the list of protected folders. You can use the Windows Security app to view the list of folders that are protected by controlled folder access. On your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device, open the Windows Security app. Select Virus & threat protection.

Get More Info Here ›
Where are safe folder files stored? ›

The Secure Folder data is stored in a separate, encrypted partition on your device's internal storage. This partition is isolated from the rest of your phone's content and can only be accessed by entering the correct authentication credentials.

Read More ›

Does Safe Mode block apps? ›

Safe Mode will retain only the system apps/pre-installed apps and disable all third-party/user-installed apps in the device until the subsequent reboot.

See Details ›
What happens if I uninstall a secure folder? ›

Once uninstalled, all the content and data inside Secure Folder will be deleted. Media files are backed up outside Secure Folder upon uninstall if you have selected the backup option (Data backup location — My Files > Internal storage > Secure Folder).

Discover More Details ›
How safe is the Samsung Secure folder? ›

The folder is kept secure using Samsung's Knox security platform, which encrypts your data. You can also add a password, PIN, or biometric lock to the folder to keep it even more secure. You can also add apps to your secure folder so that you can use a separate account from the regular version of your app.

Find Out More ›
Why is my safe folder empty? ›

I had my documents and other things stored in the safe folder, and now it seems to be gone, first of all, I believe this happened because when Android is updated, it changes the files that are at the heart of the phone, and google safe folder, on the other hand, is programmed to delete the files in the safe folder if ...

Explore More ›
Are Google Drive files safe from ransomware? ›

Data stored in the cloud such as in Google Drive can easily be encrypted by ransomware via file synchronization. With file synchronization, files that are modified or created locally are synchronized to cloud storage. File changes are the trigger that initiates the synchronization process.

Discover More ›
Is Google safe folder cloud? ›

Any files on the files app including safe folder are stored on device and never backed up on cloud. Upload on Google photos or google drive. Hope this helps.

Read The Full Story ›
Is a secure folder safe? ›

Your folders are protected by Samsung Knox, to ensure that all your information is kept safe from malicious attacks. To make sure your data stays as secure as possible, you can also protect Secure Folders with a passcode or biometric lock.

Read The Full Story ›
Is Files by Google safe to uninstall? ›

If you uninstall Files or even reset its cache and data, you will lose your Safe Folder and all the files inside it. Everyone, please be very careful when using the Safe Folder. Make sure you keep track of its PIN or pattern and always have important files backed up in a separate secure location.

Discover More ›
Top Articles
History's 30 Most Famous People with Autism
Tabela preços design gráfico Portugal
Login - Ursuline Academy Of Dallas
Lovepik: Where Design Dreams Meet Free Reality
Latest Posts
¡OFERTAS! De trabajos en Europa para Peruanos
Conoce el precio por metro cuadrado por distritos en Lima
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6291

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.