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How to Use Google Photos' Locked Folder

Tap through each step in order.

  1. Open the "Library" tab in Google Photos

    Tap the "Library" tab at the bottom of the Google Photos app.

  2. Find and open "Locked Folder"

    Look for "Locked Folder" in the Utilities section and tap it.

  3. Secure it with your device lock (fingerprint, pattern, etc.)

    The first time you use it, it uses your existing device screen-lock method to secure the folder.

  4. Move the photos you want to hide into the locked folder

    Select "Move to Locked Folder" on a regular photo, and it disappears from your timeline and albums, visible only inside the locked folder.

  5. Why it's useful

    It keeps sensitive or personal photos safely separated from your main gallery, so you can hand your phone to someone else without worrying about what they might see.

Keep sensitive photos in a separate place

Photos like ID cards or documents that you'd rather not have mixed in with your everyday gallery can be stored in a locked folder instead, making it much easier to hand your phone to someone else with peace of mind.

Locked folder photos stay off the cloud by design

Because the locked folder is meant purely for privacy on this device, its contents are treated differently from the rest of your library β€” understanding that trade-off, security over convenience, helps you decide what actually belongs there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are photos in the locked folder automatically backed up?

No β€” for security reasons, photos inside the locked folder are not automatically backed up to the cloud and stay only on that specific device.

Can I move photos back out of the locked folder?

Yes β€” select a photo inside the locked folder and choose "Unlock and move" to return it to its original location.