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Samsung Secure Folder opens on a supported Galaxy phone or tablet with the PIN, password, pattern or supported fingerprint set for it. If you forget the lock, Samsung’s reset route works only when Reset with Samsung account was enabled in advance; without it, Samsung says you cannot regain access to the existing folder. Secure Folder is not accessible from a web browser or computer.
What Secure Folder protects—and where you can use it
Samsung describes Secure Folder as a protected area for private photos, videos, files, apps and their data, secured by the Samsung Knox platform. Samsung UK says Knox encrypts data stored there. This describes Samsung’s stated protection; it is not a guarantee against every form of attack or exposure.
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Access is on the Galaxy device itself. Samsung says Secure Folder cannot be opened through a browser or computer. Availability and menu labels vary by model, region and software version, so check the exact device if the instructions below do not match your screen.
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- On a supported device, open Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder. Menu names may differ by software version.
- Follow the setup prompts and choose a lock method. Samsung UK says a Samsung account is needed during setup.
- To open the folder later, tap its icon on the Apps screen or open it through Settings, then authenticate with the configured method.
Samsung’s current US support instructions provide this setup path; Samsung UK provides regional setup guidance as well. Samsung US Secure Folder support and Samsung UK Secure Folder guide.
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How to move files and apps into the folder
Photos, videos and other files
From supported apps such as Gallery, choose Move to Secure Folder. Samsung UK also documents adding files and choosing whether to copy or move them. A move removes the item from its original location; a copy leaves an additional copy outside the folder. Check the original location if your goal is to keep the item only inside Secure Folder.
Samsung Knox notes that content synced to Samsung Cloud may reappear in Gallery after a move. If you do not want synced content to show there, remove the cloud copy too. Available menus depend on device and OS. See Samsung Knox Secure Folder file-movement guidance.
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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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Apps
Moving an installed app into Secure Folder creates a separate copy there, according to Samsung UK; the copy can use a different account. An app downloaded directly inside Secure Folder is available only there. This means moving an app does not simply relocate its existing instance.
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Forgot the Secure Folder lock? Recovery depends on one setting
- Enter an incorrect credential and look for the Forgot option.
- If Reset with Samsung account was enabled when Secure Folder was configured, follow the prompts to reset the lock using that account.
- If the setting was not enabled beforehand, Samsung says the existing folder cannot be accessed. Removing Secure Folder and creating a new one does not recover the old folder’s contents.
Samsung does not document a computer-based unlock or a bypass for this case. Its current recovery guidance is at Samsung US Secure Folder support.
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Transfer Secure Folder to another phone
Samsung documents transferring Secure Folder to a new device with Smart Switch, either by cable or wirelessly. A cable is relevant only to the wired route; connector needs depend on the devices. After the transfer, open Secure Folder on the receiving phone to check that it completed. Follow Samsung’s current Smart Switch transfer instructions for the devices involved.
What current backup guidance means
Samsung US says Secure Folder no longer supports creating new backups, though data from earlier backups can still be restored. That is different from an older Samsung Knox user guide, which describes cloud backups, including one latest cloud backup per device and automatic backups every 24 hours when Wi-Fi is connected and the phone is plugged in and charging. Treat those older steps as legacy or device- and version-specific, not as the current general rule. Check the backup and restore choices shown on your own device. Sources: Samsung US Secure Folder support and Samsung Knox legacy backup guide.
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Hide the icon without mistaking it for a lock
Samsung lets users hide Secure Folder from the Apps screen and toggle its visibility through settings or Quick Settings. Hiding changes whether the icon is visible; it does not replace the authentication lock. Samsung Knox’s older user guide also warns that some notifications may still appear while the icon is hidden. Use the lock even when the icon is hidden.
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Secure Folder is not available on every Galaxy device. Samsung UK says some older phone models may no longer support it. Samsung Knox’s compatibility listing, last updated 21 August 2026, says feature compatibility varies by region and operating system; a platform listing is not a guarantee that every listed device has every Secure Folder feature. Check the exact model, region and OS against Samsung Knox’s device compatibility listing and the device’s Settings.
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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
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