Protect your files with safe folder

You can hide files in your Safe folder and control access with a PIN.

Tip: This feature is available for Android 8.0 and up.

Set up your Safe folder

Important: If you forget your PIN or Pattern, you can't access your files.

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. Scroll to "Collections."
3. Tap Safe folder.
4. Tap either PIN or Pattern.
   • If PIN is selected:
     1. Enter your PIN.
     2. Tap Next.
     3. In the "Confirm PIN" screen, re-enter your PIN.
     4. Tap Next.
     5. In the "Remember your PIN" screen, tap Got it.
   • If Pattern is selected:
     1. Draw your pattern.
     2. Tap Next.
     3. In the “Confirm Pattern” screen, re-draw your pattern.
     4. Tap Next.
     5. In the “Remember your pattern” screen, tap Got it.

Move files to your Safe folder

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. Find the files you want to move to the Safe folder.
3. If you're in grid view :
   1. To move files, touch and hold the files.
   2. At the top, tap More Move to Safe folder.
4. If you're in list view :
   • To move one file:
     1. Tap More Move to Safe folder.
   • To move multiple files:
     1. Tap More Select.
     2. Next to each file you want to move, check the circle.
     3. At the top, tap More Move to Safe folder.
5. Enter the current PIN or Pattern that you set.
   • If PIN is set: In the "Confirm PIN" screen, enter your PIN.
   • If Pattern is set: In the “Draw pattern to move” screen, draw your pattern.

View files in your Safe folder

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. Scroll to "Collections."
3. Tap Safe folder.
   To view your files:
   • If PIN is set: Enter your PIN, tap Next.
   • If Pattern is set: Draw your pattern.

Move files out of your safe folder

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. Scroll to "Collections."
3. Tap Safe folder.
4. Enter your PIN.
5. Tap Next.
6. Find the files you want to move out of the folder.
   • To move one file:
     • In Grid view : 
       a. Press and hold the file.
       b. At the top right, tap More Move out of Safe folder.
     • In List view :
       a. Next to the file, tap More Move out of Safe folder.
   • To move multiple files: 
     • In Grid view :
       a. Press and hold a file.
       b. To select more files, at the top of each file, tap the circle.
       c. At the top right, tap More Move out of Safe folder.
     • In List view :
       a. Next to a file, tap More .
       b. To select more files, next to each file, tap the circle.
       c. At the top right, tap More Move out of Safe folder.
7. The file will be moved back to it's original location.
   • If the original location isn't available, the folder will be recreated.

Note: Stay in safe folder until the transfer is complete. If you close safe folder or open another app before the transfer is complete, the operation will be cancelled and the file will stay in safe folder.

Change your lock

Important: If you forget your PIN or Pattern, you can't access your files.

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. At the top left, tap Menu Settings .
3. Select Safe folder Change lock.
4. Enter the current PIN or Pattern that you set.
5. In the “Choose a lock” screen, tap PIN or Pattern.
   • To set up a PIN:
     1. In the "Set a PIN" screen, enter the new PIN.
     2. Tap Next.
     3. In the "Confirm PIN" screen, re-enter the new PIN.
     4. Tap Next.
     5. In the "Remember your PIN" screen, tap Got it.
   • To set up a pattern:
     1. In the “Draw pattern” screen, draw a pattern.
     2. Tap Next.
     3. In the “Confirm pattern” screen, re-draw the pattern.
     4. Tap Next.
     5. In the "Remember your pattern" screen, tap Got it.

Reset your safe folder

Important: When you reset your safe folder, the files in this folder will be permanently lost.

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app .
2. At the top left, tap Menu Settings .
3. Select Safe folder Reset your safe folder.
4. In the confirmation dialogue, tap Reset.

Missing files in safe folder issue

Safe folder keeps your files secure using Android storage with encryption. On rare occasions, files can become corrupt or get deleted. When this happens, no one can see the content of your files anymore including Files by Google.

To secure access to your files, do not:

• Clear storage or cache with other apps.
• Plug in an SD card with safe folder files from another phone.
• Copy encrypted safe files from old phone to new phone.

Additional information

• Installed apps can't be moved to the safe folder.
• Files in the safe folder won't appear in search results or categories.
• Files in the safe folder can't be reopened by any third-party apps.
• The 'Share' and 'Back up to Google Drive' options aren't available in the safe folder.
• Screenshots of the safe folder can’t be taken.
• Files in your safe folder are protected by a lock, but anyone who gains unauthorised access to your device's internal storage may be able to access them.

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