Learn how to use the Locked Folder feature of Google Photos to protect sensitive images and videos with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode on iOS and Android.
Google Photos includes a handy feature called Locked Folder for isolating private media from your library. You can also exclude this section from backup to ensure your device has the only copy. Nothing from your locked folder appears in the Google Photos grid, memories, search, or albums. Moreover, locked folders are off limits to third-party apps authorized to access your Google Photos account.
A Google spokesperson has confirmed to The Verge that the contents of a locked folder are protected with “multiple layers of security, including leading encryption technology like HTTPS and encryption at rest.”
Set up a locked folder on Google Photos
1) Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone or Android phone. You can also set up a locked folder on your computer by navigating to photos.google.com/lockedfolder. We’re using the iPhone app, but the steps are the same for Android.
2) Go to the Collections tab, scroll to the bottom, and tap Locked.
3) Tap Set up Locked Folder.
4) Give Google Photos permission to use Face ID, Touch ID, passcode, pattern, or similar.
5) Choose whether to include your locked folder in Google Photos backup.
6) Touch the Move Items button.
7) Select the pictures and videos to move to the locked folder, then hit Move.
8) Give Google Photos permission to remove the selected photos from your library by hitting Delete (you can always recover deleted photos). Choosing Don’t Allow will instruct Google Photos to copy the images instead.
No one can view the photos and videos in your locked folder without Face ID, Touch ID, or password authorization. Keep in mind you cannot set a locked folder password that’s different from your iPhone passcode.
Add more items to your locked folder
To add more pictures and videos to this secure section, tap the image icon inside your locked folder or follow the steps below:
1) Open the Google Photos app, then touch and hold the first image, and select more as needed.
2) Swipe left on the bottom toolbar, and choose Move to Locked Folder.
You can also open a single item, hit the three-dotted menu, and choose the Move to Locked Folder option.
Move items out of your locked folder
If you no longer want to keep specific pictures and videos inside your locked folder, select them and choose Move twice to add them back to your library.
Back up your locked folder or individual items
You’re recommended to include your locked folder in the backups Google Photos regularly makes so you can restore your private photos and videos should you lose the device or uninstall Google Photos. Otherwise, locked photos and videos will only be stored on that device, and you’ll have no backup in the cloud to fall back to in case of emergency. For privacy reasons, your locked folder doesn’t sync to Google Photos on your other devices.
If you’ve elected not to back up your locked folder during setup, you can enable it later by tapping the crossed-out cloud icon at the top and turning on the Backup option.
To manually back up specific locked items, hold them and then touch the backup icon.
Secure the built-in Photos app
If you don’t want to use the Locked Folder feature of Google Photos, consider locking the built-in Photos app on your iPhone or iPad by touching and holding its Home Screen icon and choosing the Require Face ID option from the menu.
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