One of the biggest advantages of using an Android phone is the open file system. You can use a file manager app to access all the files stored locally on your phone. You can also copy files to and from the device using an external storage device such as a USB drive or SSD. This makes it similar to processing files on a full-fledged computer.
So you can store important files and documents on your Android device. However, along with storing important files, it is also important to secure them so that only you have access. You wouldn’t want sensitive data to fall into the wrong hands.
Thankfully, there are several default implementations on various phones like Secure Folder on Samsung. However, if your phone lacks any such feature, you can use the Google Files app to hide and secure your files.
What is Google Files App?
The Google Files app is a third-party app from the house of Google. It’s basically a file manager app that allows you to access all the files stored on your phone. It has some extra features like the ability to clean leftover files, separate files and photos based on screenshots, memes, etc.
One of those features is Safe Folder which allows you to store files and protect them with a password. You can hide sensitive files and folders on your Android phone using the Google Files app. If your phone doesn’t have its own way to hide files, this will help.
Since this app comes from Google, it’s safe to use. Also, there are no ads or in-app purchases.
How to use the Google Files app to hide files and folders
Here’s how you can protect sensitive data on your phone by storing it in a Safe Folder in Google’s Files app.
Install and set up files using the Google app
Many Android smartphones come with the Files by Google app pre-installed. If your phone doesn’t have it or you’ve uninstalled it before, you need to download it and set it up.
Step 1: Download and install the Files by Google app on your Android.
Step 2: Open the app and grant access to your file system to easily access and view all files on Android. To do this, tap Allow.
Step 4: Enable the switch next to Files by Google in All files access.
Step 5: Return to the Files by Google application. You will see all your files and folders on Android.
Enable Safe Folder in Google Files
Now that the Files app has access to your storage, you can enable the Safe Folder feature to hide your files.
Step 1: Open the Files by Google app on your phone.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Collections section to find the Safe Folder option. Touch it.
Step 3: The app will ask you to set a PIN or pattern to access Safe Folder. Choose the option you like. Note that there is no way to reset the password for Secure Folder if you forget it. You will lose access to all those files. So make sure you remember the password.
Step 4: Once the lock is set, your Safe Folder is ready to use.
Add files to a safe folder
Once you’ve set a password for Safe Folder access, you can add the files you want to hide. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open the Files by Google app on your phone.
Step 2: Navigate to the file or folder you want to hide from the categories or by selecting the Internal Storage option at the bottom.
Step 3: Tap the three dots next to the file you want to hide.
Step 4: Select Move to Safe Folder.
Step 5: Enter the PIN or pattern you set earlier.
Your file has now been moved to a Safe Folder.
Step 6: If you want to hide multiple files, select them all by long-pressing on a file and then tapping on other files. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the app.
Step 7: Select Move to Safe folder.
Even if you want to hide an entire folder or multiple folders, you can do the same.
Hide safe folder from file app home screen
At this point, you have successfully hidden your files and folders in Safe Folder. However, you will notice that the Safe Folder option is publicly visible to anyone who opens the app on your phone. This is not ideal. You can also hide the Safe Folder icon so it doesn’t show up immediately when you open the app.
Step 1: Open the Files by Google app on your phone.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Collections section to find the Safe Folder option.
Step 3: Tap the three dots next to Collections.
Step 4: Select Hide safe folder.
The Safe Folder icon will now be hidden from plain view when the Google Files app is open.
Tap the three dots again and select Show Safe Folder to bring it back.
Hide sensitive files and data on your Android phone
This is an easy and convenient way to hide sensitive data like documents and even photos on Android. If your phone doesn’t have a root solution, you can use Files by Google app and get the same result.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
