Secure Folder is a built-in feature on supported Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. Find it in Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder—though labels vary by software version and region. You can protect selected apps and files with a PIN, password, pattern, or supported biometric. Before moving important files into it, note that Samsung US says new Secure Folder backups are no longer supported.
What Secure Folder does—and what it does not
Samsung describes Secure Folder as a separate, encrypted space protected by Knox. Samsung UK Support calls it “the perfect place to store all the photos, videos, files, apps and data that you want to keep private.” That is Samsung’s description of the feature, not an independent security assessment.
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Secure Folder helps keep selected content separate from the ordinary apps and files on your device. It is not a guarantee against every threat: hiding its icon does not add a second lock, and no folder feature makes a compromised or already-unlocked device invulnerable.
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Knox devices use file-based encryption, with keys derived from user credentials and device-specific secrets, according to Samsung Knox’s data-protection documentation. Knox Vault is a distinct subsystem found only on select devices; Secure Folder availability does not mean your phone has Knox Vault. See Samsung’s Knox Vault documentation for its device scope.
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How to find and set up Secure Folder
- Check Settings: Open Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder. This is Samsung’s current common path in its US instructions; menu names and placement can differ by software version and region.
- Follow the setup prompts: Sign in to a Samsung account if asked, then choose a PIN, password, or pattern. You can enable a supported biometric as well.
- Configure recovery before adding important files: If offered, enable Reset with Samsung account if you want the option to reset a forgotten lock through that account.
If Secure Folder does not appear in Settings, Samsung says the feature may not be supported on that device. Older models may have lost support, and certain Android Enterprise company-owned deployments are incompatible. Check your model’s Samsung support information rather than relying on a universal supported-device list. Samsung explains the enterprise limitation in its Secure Folder availability documentation.
How to move photos and other files into Secure Folder
Use Secure Folder’s Add files option
- Open Secure Folder and tap More options → Add files.
- Select the files you want to add.
- Choose Copy or Move.
Copy leaves the ordinary-storage original in place and creates another version inside Secure Folder. Move transfers the original out of its current location. Samsung US says files must be stored on internal storage or an SD card for the move workflow it describes; do not assume a cloud-hosted file will move directly.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Move content from Samsung apps
In supported Samsung apps such as Gallery or My Files, select the content and choose Move to Secure Folder when that option is available. The exact controls depend on the app and device software.
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Adding an app that is already installed creates a separate copy inside Secure Folder. That copy can use a different account from the ordinary installation. You can also install an app directly within Secure Folder; that installation stays there. App availability and labels may vary by device.
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Can you hide Secure Folder?
Yes. Secure Folder’s settings let you hide its shortcut from the Apps screen. Hiding the icon makes the feature less visible, but it does not replace or strengthen the lock you configured. Access remains governed by the folder’s PIN, password, pattern, or supported biometric.
What happens if you forget your Secure Folder password?
You can reset a forgotten PIN, password, or pattern through your Samsung account only if Reset with Samsung account was enabled beforehand. If it was not enabled, Samsung warns that you cannot recover access to the existing folder. Removing Secure Folder and starting over may be the only offered route, and that can mean losing the data inside.
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Can you back up Secure Folder?
Samsung US currently says new Secure Folder data backups are no longer supported, although data from previous backups may still be restorable. An older Samsung Knox page describes a former Backup and Restore menu; treat it as legacy guidance, not a promise that the feature remains available. Check the options on your own device, and keep important originals in an appropriate separate backup location before moving them into Secure Folder.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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Official Samsung guidance
- Samsung US: Use the Secure Folder on your Galaxy phone or tablet — setup, adding files, recovery, backup status, and removal.
- Samsung UK: What is the Secure Folder and how do I use it? — Knox description, file and app behavior, and hiding the shortcut.
- Samsung US: Galaxy Security — Secure Folder and availability context.
- Samsung Knox: Data Protection — technical background on device data encryption.
- Samsung Knox: Knox Vault — explanation of the separate subsystem and its device scope.
- Samsung Knox: Secure Folder isn’t available on a device — Android Enterprise deployment caveat.
- Samsung Knox: Back up and Restore — older backup instructions; availability may have changed.
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