How to set up Samsung Secure Folder on a Galaxy

Samsung Secure Folder gives you a separately locked place for selected files and app copies on a Galaxy device that supports it. To set it up, open Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder. Samsung describes the folder as Knox-protected and encrypted, with a separate lock; its available menu options can vary by device and software version. Samsung’s Secure Folder guide

What Secure Folder does

Secure Folder separates selected files and app copies from the device’s regular apps and storage. You can protect it with a PIN, password, or pattern; fingerprint access is available on supported devices. If Secure Folder does not appear in the relevant Settings menu, Samsung says the device does not support the feature. Samsung’s setup instructions

Set up Secure Folder

Samsung’s route begins in Settings. The interface screenshots in this setup sequence were published with MakeUseOf’s Secure Folder guide; menu labels may differ on your device.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Security and privacy.
3. Tap More security settings.
4. Select Secure Folder.
5. Tap Continue, grant the requested permissions, and sign in to a Samsung account if prompted.
6. Choose a PIN, password, or pattern. Add fingerprint access if your device supports it.
7. If you want to reset a forgotten folder lock with your Samsung account, enable Reset with Samsung account during setup. Samsung says that account-based reset will not restore access if the option was not enabled. Samsung’s setup and recovery instructions

If you did not enable the reset option, Samsung says the folder can be removed and set up again. If you lose both the folder lock and your Samsung account password, Samsung’s UK guide directs you to contact support. Samsung UK’s Secure Folder guide

Choose whether to copy or move files

Copying keeps the original where it is and creates another version inside Secure Folder. Moving relocates the original into the folder. Samsung explains the difference.

Samsung’s documented move flow accepts files saved in internal storage or on an SD card; it does not move files saved in a cloud account. To move an item back out, select Move out of Secure Folder. Samsung says a file that was on an SD card is moved to a new Gallery folder in internal storage. Samsung’s file instructions

Use app copies and find a hidden folder

Adding an installed app creates a separate copy inside Secure Folder, where you can sign in with a different account. The regular app remains outside the folder unless you uninstall that copy separately. Samsung’s app guidance

You can hide Secure Folder’s icon from the Apps screen and still access the folder through Settings or Quick Settings. Samsung says Secure Folder is available on its phone or tablet, not through a web browser or computer. Samsung’s access instructions

Know the recovery and transfer options

Samsung says new Secure Folder backups are no longer supported. Its support page describes restoring older backups and transferring Secure Folder content to another device with Smart Switch; those options do not create a new backup. Before uninstalling Secure Folder, Samsung says you can select Move media files out of Secure Folder. Samsung’s UK guide also warns that clearing Secure Folder’s app data deletes its contents. Samsung’s backup, transfer, and removal instructions Samsung UK’s data guidance

Samsung says its enhanced encryption option stops all Secure Folder apps and notifications while it is enabled. Samsung also says Android 16 with One UI 8 removed the Each time I leave an app auto-lock option; the default is When screen turns off. Samsung’s Secure Folder settings