How to use Samsung Secure Folder on Galaxy S21

In a world where biometric methods on our smartphones continues to change, it’s important to keep your private files, private. While it’s great to be able to use things like the in-display fingerprint scanner on your Galaxy S21, this is not the end-all-be-all solution to keeping important documents away from prying eyes.

What is Samsung Secure Folder?

Back in 2017, with the release of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Samsung introduced Secure Folder. This was part of Samsung Knox, a built-in security system designed to keep your smartphone as secure as possible.

In the early days, Secure Folder was only accessible through the Knox app, but it has evolved since then. Now, it’s available on just about every Samsung smartphone, and is regularly updated through the Play Store.

Secure Folder allows you to move files, documents, images, videos, and even applications into a private folder. By creating a unique passcode or PIN, you are able to lock these documents and applications in a specific folder that can only be unlocked by you. So in the event that you hand someone your phone, they can’t go snooping around and gain access to things that they aren’t supposed to see.

How to use Samsung Secure Folder

Before getting started with setting up to use Samsung Secure Folder, you’re going to want to create a Samsung account. Chances are, you have already created one if you’ve downloaded any apps from the Galaxy Store. But if not, you can do so from the Settings app on your phone.

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy S21.
2. Scroll down and tap Biometrics and security.
3. Select Secure Folder.
4. Tap Agree.
5. Enter your Samsung Account password.
6. Select how you want to protect your folders:
   • Pattern
   • PIN
   • Password
7. Tap Next.
8. Create the pattern, PIN, or password for your Secure Folders.

Now, your Secure Folder has been created, and there’s a new app icon that will appear in the App Drawer.

Add files and apps to Secure Folder

There’s no use in creating a Secure Folder if you don’t know how to add anything to it. Secure Folder is unique in that while you can add traditional things like files and images to it, Samsung has also made it possible to add entire applications.

These applications will be stored within the Secure Folder, and will not appear in your App Drawer or on your Home Screen. Here’s how you can add files and apps to the Secure Folder:

1. Open the Secure Folder app in your App Drawer.
2. Enter your pattern, PIN, or password to unlock it.
3. Tap the (+) icon in the top right corner to add applications.
4. Tap the three vertical dots next to the (+) icon.
5. Select Add files from the drop down menu.

When adding applications, it’s as easy as looking through your list of installed application. Then, you can select multiple apps or just one, before tapping the Add button in the bottom right corner.

As for documents and other files, you are able to add the following file types:

• Images
• Videos
• Audio
• Documents
• My Files

Each section will take you to the dedicated area in the File Manager on your Galaxy S21. From there, just pick and choose what you want to have locked behind the Secure Folder.

Customize Samsung Secure Folder

If someone is going through your phone and they see an app called “Secure Folder”, chances are they are going to ask about it. Samsung thought about this, and has made it possible to customize your folder. This will help the app blend in with the rest of your App Drawer so nobody asks about it.

1. Open the Secure Folder app in your App Drawer.
2. Enter your pattern, PIN, or password to unlock it.
3. Tap the three vertical dots next to the (+) icon.
4. Select Customize from the drop down menu.

From here, you are able to create a custom app name, along with changing up the app icon. There are a few pre-installed options to choose from, with icons to help your Secure Folder blend in with your other apps.