Samsung's Secure Folder is an encrypted space on Galaxy phones for private apps, photos, videos and files. It's protected by the Samsung Knox security platform and has its own lock, a PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint separate from the lock screen.

A MakeUseOf article published Oct. 18, 2026 calls it the most underrated privacy feature on Samsung phones and says most people never open it, though Android Authority notes it comes pre-installed on many modern Samsung phones. The point is the second key: a lock screen can't protect you once you hand someone your unlocked phone, but Secure Folder still asks for its own credentials.

Samsung Secure Folder Offers Overlooked Privacy Controls on Galaxy Devices

Setup takes a couple of minutes. Open Settings, tap Security and privacy, then More security settings and Secure Folder, sign in to a Samsung account if asked and pick a lock type. Anything you move inside stops showing up in the regular Gallery, app drawer and main storage.

Isolation brings practical limits

Moving a photo from Gallery puts it in Secure Folder alone. Adding an app creates a separate copy, so you can sign in to a social media app with a different account than the one on the main side of the phone.