Hide your sensitive photos and videos - iPhone and iPad (2024)

You can store sensitive photos and videos in a folder protected by your device's screen lock in the Google Photos app. Items in a locked folder won't appear in the photo grid, reminders, searches, or albums, and won't be available to other apps on your device that access your photos and videos.

The locked folder is protected by standard Google Photos encryption methods.Learn how Google Photos keeps your data private and secure.

Important:

• Locked Folder is only available on iOS versions 15 and later.
• People who have access to Face ID®, Touch ID®, or the device passcode can unlock the locked folder.

Configure the locked folder

Important:The first time you try to move photos and videos to the Locked folder, you'll be prompted to set this up.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to the library Utilities Locked folder.
3. PressConfigure the locked folder.
   • You can also choose to enable backups for the locked folder at this time.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to unlock your device. If your folder is empty, you will find 'Nothing here yet'.
   • If you don't have Face ID®, Touch ID®, or passcode set up for your device, you'll need to set one up to use the locked folder.Learn how to set or change a password on your iOS device.
   • The password for your locked folder is the same as your Face ID®, Touch ID®, or device password. You cannot use a different password for the locked folder.

Back up your locked folder

You can enable automatic backup for your locked folder.

When you enable backups for the locked folder, you can access your locked folder from other devices when you're signed in with your Google account.

Important:

• To automatically back up your locked folder, first enable backup in Google Photos for the rest of your photos and videos.Enable backup.
• You can disable locked folder backup but still manually back up items in the locked folder.
• Items in the locked folder that you do not back up are stored only on that device. You cannot see these items from other devices where you are signed in with the locked folder.
• You will lose items in the locked folder that you have not backed up if:
  • You uninstall the Google Photos app
  • Your device is damaged or lost

Turn backup on and off for the locked folder

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Press on top of youProfile pictureofInitial.
4. Tap Google Photos settings Back-up Back up the locked folder.
5. Open the locked folder.
6. Use your Face ID®, Touch ID®, or your device passcode when prompted.
7. ShouldBack up the locked folderto or from.

Tip: Read more about the benefits of backup.

Manually backup your locked folder

You can choose to manually backup individual photos and videos in your locked folder.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Go to library Utilities Locked folder.
4. Use your Face ID®, Touch ID®, or your device passcode when prompted.
5. A long press selects the photos or videos you want to back up.
6. Tap Backup at the top.

Move photos or videos to the locked folder

Tip:To move photos and videos from the Trash to the Locked Folder, first restore the contents from the Trash.

Learn more about the locked folder

The difference between locked folder and archive

What you can do with items in your locked folder

How items in the locked folder count towards your storage quota

Where you can access items in the locked folder

Why you can find copies of items from the locked folder in other parts of Photos

When you move a photo or video to the locked folder, only the original item is moved to where it appears in Google Photos. Once an item is moved to the locked folder, any new copies or copies you previously created or edited will remain where they are stored, including items in the Trash, unless you also move or delete them.

Why a shared recipient still has access

If a shared image is automatically saved or saved by the user you shared it with, anything you do with your version of the shared image will not apply to the copy saved by the other user. This includes any edits, deletions, or uploads to your locked folder.

Find out if you qualify for the locked folder

The locked folder is currently unavailable on fully managed devices and for certain account types. Contact your device administrator or your account administrator for more information.