Learn how to use the Google Photos Locked Folder feature to protect sensitive images and videos with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode on iOS and Android.
Google Photos includes a handy feature called Locked Folder for isolating private media from your library.
You can also exclude this section from backup to ensure your device has the only copy.
Nothing from your locked folder appears in the Google Photos grid, memories, search, or albums. Moreover, locked folders are off-limits to third-party apps authorized to access your Google Photos account.
A Google spokesperson has confirmed to The Verge that the contents of a locked folder are protected with “multiple layers of security, including leading encryption technology like HTTPS and encryption at rest.”
Set up locked folder on Google Photos
1) Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone or Android phone. You can also set up a locked folder on your computer by navigating to photos.google.com/lockedfolder. We’re using the iPhone app, but the steps are the same for Android.
2) Go to the Collections tab, scroll to the bottom, and tap Locked. Then, tap Set up Locked Folder if you see it.
3) Give Google Photos permission to use Face ID, Touch ID, passcode, pattern, or similar.
4) Choose whether to include your locked folder in Google Photos backup if prompted.
5) Then, tap the Move Items button.
6) Select the pictures and videos to move to the locked folder, then hit Move.
7) Give Google Photos permission to remove the selected photos from your library by tapping Delete (you can always recover deleted photos).
Moving forward, no one can view the photos and videos in your locked folder without Face ID, Touch ID, or password authorization. Keep in mind you cannot set a locked folder password that’s different from your iPhone passcode.
Add more items to your locked folder
1) Open the Google Photos app, then touch and hold the first image, and select more as needed.
2) Swipe left on the bottom toolbar and tap Move to Locked Folder.
Move items out of your locked folder
If you no longer want to keep specific pictures and videos inside your locked folder, select them and tap Move to add them back to your library.
Back up your locked folder or individual items
You can include your locked folder in Google Photos backup so you can restore your private photos and videos should you lose the device or uninstall Google Photos. Otherwise, locked photos and videos will only be stored on that device, and you’ll have no backup in the cloud to fall back on in case of emergency. For privacy reasons, your locked folder doesn’t sync to Google Photos on your other devices.
If you’ve elected not to back up your locked folder during setup, you can enable it later by tapping the crossed-out cloud icon at the top and turning on the backup option.
To manually back up specific locked items, touch & hold them, and then tap the backup icon.
Secure the built-in Photos app
If you don’t want to use the Locked Folder feature in Google Photos, consider locking the built-in Photos app on your iPhone or iPad by tapping and holding its Home Screen icon, then selecting the Require Face ID option from the menu.
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