Lock Photos and Videos in Google Photos

Google Photos’ Locked Folder keeps selected photos and videos out of the main photo grid, search results, albums, and Memories, and protects them with your device’s screen lock. Before you begin, make sure you can unlock the phone or tablet; the exact menus vary slightly between Android and iPhone or iPad.

What You’ll Need

• The Google Photos app on an Android phone or tablet, or an iPhone or iPad.
• A screen lock set up on the device, such as a PIN, password, pattern, or supported biometric unlock.
• The Google Account you use in Photos, if you want to enable Locked Folder backup and access supported backups on other devices.

Step-by-Step

1. Update and open Google Photos. Install any available app update from your device’s app store, then open Google Photos. Sign in to the account that contains the items you want to protect. Menu labels and placement can differ by device and app version.
2. Check your screen lock. Locked Folder uses your device’s screen lock rather than a separate password you create in Google Photos. If you do not have a screen lock, open your device’s Settings and set up a PIN, password, or pattern. The setting is usually under Security or Face ID/Touch ID and Passcode on iPhone; names vary by model.
3. Find Locked Folder. In Google Photos, tap Collections and look for Locked or Locked Folder. On some versions, you may find it through Library or Utilities. Follow the prompts to set it up and confirm your device lock. If you cannot find the feature, see Troubleshooting below.
4. Choose the photos and videos to move. Return to the Photos view, or open the album containing the items. Touch and hold one item to select it, then tap any additional photos or videos you want to include. Check your selections carefully: moving an item removes it from its usual place in Google Photos.
5. Move the selection into Locked Folder. Tap the three-dot menu or the available action menu, choose Move to Locked Folder, and confirm. If the option is not visible, open the item and check its menu, or select fewer items. Wait for the move to finish before closing the app.
6. Verify the items are there. Open Collections > Locked and unlock with your device’s screen lock. Confirm that the intended photos and videos appear. They should no longer show in the ordinary Photos grid, search, albums, or Memories.
7. Decide whether to back up Locked Folder. Open Locked Folder, tap its settings or backup prompt, and review the option to back it up. If enabled, eligible items are backed up to your Google Account and may be available in Locked Folder on supported devices signed into that account. If disabled, the items remain only on the device. Check the account and backup status before relying on this feature.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming Locked Folder is a separate password vault. It relies on your device’s screen lock. Anyone who can unlock your device may be able to open it.
• Thinking the folder is backed up automatically. Backup availability and settings can vary. Confirm the Locked Folder backup setting and wait for any upload to complete before changing devices or resetting the phone.
• Expecting an item to stay in albums or Memories. Locked items are excluded from many normal Photos features by design. Moving an item back restores it to the regular library, where it may appear again.
• Deleting the source or resetting the device before checking backup. If Locked Folder backup is off, device loss, app-data removal, or a factory reset can make its contents unavailable. Do not treat an unbacked-up local folder as an archive.
• Confusing privacy with encryption from every person who uses the device. Locked Folder is intended to keep items out of normal browsing, but it is not a substitute for securing the device and Google Account.

Tips

• Move only the items you actually want hidden from routine browsing; you can select multiple items at once.
• Verify important items inside Locked Folder and check backup status before trading in, repairing, or resetting a device.
• Keep your device’s screen lock private and secure, and use a strong Google Account password with account recovery options you control.
• If you want an item back in the regular library, select it in Locked Folder and choose the option to move it out. It can then appear in the Photos grid and other features again.
• Remember that hiding an item in Google Photos does not remove separate copies saved elsewhere, such as downloads, shared conversations, or another photo app.

Troubleshooting

• Locked Folder is missing: Update Google Photos, confirm you are signed in, and check Collections, Library, or Utilities. The feature and its setup flow can differ by device. If the app still does not show it, check Google Photos help for current availability on your device rather than assuming every account has identical menus.
• The move option is unavailable: Open the item’s menu instead of using a multi-item selection, or try selecting one item at a time. Some content types or items in particular app states may not be movable; check whether the item is still processing or stored in a location Photos cannot manage.
• Items do not appear after moving: Reopen Locked Folder and wait for the operation to complete. Confirm you are in the same Google Account and on the same device used for the move. If backup was off, the items may not show on another device.
• You cannot unlock the folder: Use the device’s current screen-lock method. If you forgot the PIN, password, or pattern, follow the device maker’s account-recovery or reset guidance; Google Photos does not provide a separate Locked Folder password reset.
• You are changing or resetting your device: First verify that Locked Folder backup is enabled and that the items have finished backing up. If you cannot confirm this, do not erase or trade in the old device until you have safely copied or recovered the files using an available supported method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock only certain photos and videos?
Yes. Select the items you want and move those to Locked Folder; the rest of your library remains in its usual place.

Does Locked Folder remove items from Google Photos search?
Items in Locked Folder are not shown in the normal Photos grid, search, albums, or Memories. Moving them out can make them visible in those places again.

Can I open Locked Folder on another device?
That depends on backup. With Locked Folder backup enabled, supported devices signed into the same Google Account can access backed-up items. Without it, the folder’s contents stay on the device.

Will Locked Folder protect photos if someone knows my phone PIN?
No separate Google Photos password is used. Someone who can unlock your device may also be able to unlock Locked Folder.

What happens if I delete Google Photos or reset my phone?
Unbacked-up Locked Folder items can be lost when app data or the device is erased. Confirm backup or make a safe copy before uninstalling, resetting, or replacing the device.

How do I take a photo out of Locked Folder?
Unlock the folder, select the item, and choose the option to move it out. It returns to the regular library and may appear in search, albums, and Memories.

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