Hide your sensitive photos & videos

You can save sensitive photos and videos to a folder protected by your device screen lock in the Google Photos app. Items in Locked Folder won’t appear in the Photos grid, memories, search or albums and won’t be available to other apps on your device that have access to your photos and videos.

Locked Folder is protected by Google Photos’ standard encryption practices. Learn how Google Photos keeps your data private & secure.

Android Computer iPhone & iPad

Set up Locked Folder

The first time you try to move photos and videos to Locked Folder, you'll be prompted to set it up.

Important:

Locked Folder is only available on devices with Android version 6 and later.
People who have access to the device screen lock can unlock Locked Folder.
You can also choose to turn on backup for Locked Folder at this time.

Open the Google Photos app .
At the bottom, tap Collections.
At the bottom, tap Locked.
Select Set up Locked Folder.
Follow the on-screen instructions to unlock your device. If your folder is empty, you’ll find "Nothing here yet."
- If you don’t have a screen lock set up for your device, you’ll need to set one up to use Locked Folder. Learn how to set or change a screen lock on your Android phone.
- Your Locked Folder password is the same as your device screen lock. You can’t use a different Locked Folder password.

Back up your Locked Folder

You can turn on automatic backup for your Locked Folder.

When you turn on backup for 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 for the rest of your photos & videos, you must first turn on backup.
You can keep backup for Locked Folder off but still manually back up items in Locked Folder.
Items in Locked Folder that you don't back up will only be stored on that device. You can’t see these items from other devices you're signed into with Locked Folder. You’ll lose Locked Folder items you haven't backed up if:
- You uninstall the Photos app
- You clear your Photos app data
- Your device is damaged or lost

Turn backup on & off for Locked Folder

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
Sign in to your Google Account.
At the top, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
Tap Photos settings Backup Back up Locked Folder.
Open Locked Folder.
Use your device screen lock when prompted.
Turn Back up Locked Folder on or off.

Tip: Learn about the benefits of backup.

Manually back up your Locked Folder

You can choose to manually back up individual photos & videos in your Locked Folder.

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app .
Sign in to your Google Account.
At the bottom, tap Collections Locked.
Use your device screen lock when prompted.
Select with a long press the photos or videos you want to back up.
At the bottom, select Back up .

Save directly from Pixel camera to Locked Folder

Important: This feature only works on Pixel 3 devices and later.

Open the Pixel camera app.
At the bottom, tap Gallery.
Touch and hold the last Gallery image.
To save your image, select Photo gallery or Locked Folder .
Take a photo. Photos that you take with Locked Folder on are automatically saved to Locked Folder.

On Pixel 7 & later, including Pixel Fold:

Next to the Shutter , long press on the circle showing the last photo you took.
In the popup, tap Locked Folder.

Move photos or videos to Locked Folder

Important:

Google Photos backups of these items will be deleted if backup for Locked Folder is not turned on.
When you move photos and videos to Locked Folder, related items aren’t moved. This includes copies, edited versions, and shared photos and videos saved by others.