8 Secure Folder tips Samsung Galaxy users should know

You may already be using Secure Folder on your Samsung Galaxy phone to protect sensitive data, but are you getting the most out of it? From managing notifications to backing up data, there are a number of ways to enhance your Secure Folder experience .

1. Use fingerprint to access Secure Folder

Protecting your Secure Folder data with a strong, complex PIN or password is always a good idea. However, if you need to access Secure Folder frequently, entering your PIN or password over and over again can become inconvenient.

For easier access, you can enable fingerprint unlocking for Secure Folder. To do this, open Secure Folder Settings , navigate to Lock type and turn on the Fingerprints toggle .

Once set up, you can instantly unlock Secure Folder with your registered fingerprint.

2. Customize or hide the Secure Folder app icon

If you want your Secure Folder to blend in with other apps or be less noticeable, One UI lets you customize the app icon. To do this, go to Secure Folder, tap the three-dot icon, and select Customize .

You can then choose from a variety of icon options and even rename the app. For example, you could rename it 'Weather' and choose a cloud icon for extra privacy.

For extra security, you can hide the Secure Folder app icon from the app drawer. Go to Secure Folder Settings , turn off the Add Secure Folder to Apps screen toggle , and select Hide to confirm.

3. Use Secure Folder to copy apps

Samsung's Dual Messenger feature lets you create two copies of an app, but it's limited to certain messaging apps like WhatsApp , Facebook , and Messenger. Secure Folder is a great alternative if you need to clone other apps — like Chrome, Instagram, Reddit, or even games.

By adding an app to a Secure Folder, you create a completely separate instance with its own data, settings, and logins. This feature is ideal for managing multiple accounts or keeping sensitive apps private from prying eyes.

All you need to do is tap the plus icon in Secure Folder, select the apps you want to copy, and click Add . Once added, you will be able to use both apps separately.

4. Hide sensitive content in Secure Folder notifications

While Samsung's Secure Folder is effective at hiding private apps and files, notifications from these apps can still appear on your lock screen or notification panel. This can expose sensitive information, potentially invading your privacy.

To ensure complete privacy, you can hide sensitive content from these notifications. Open the Secure Folder Settings menu , tap Notifications , and turn on the Hide content toggle .

When this setting is enabled, notifications from apps inside Secure Folder will no longer show message previews or sensitive details. Additionally, you can manage notification settings for individual apps by going to the App notifications menu . From there, you can turn alerts on or off for specific apps or customize them to your preferences.

5. Turn off annoying Secure Folder notification after reboot

By default, when you power off or restart your Samsung phone, Secure Folder decrypts all the files it contains. As a result, your device will display a Secure Folder locked message every time you power it back on.

Worse yet, you can't dismiss this warning or receive notifications from apps stored inside Secure Folder until you manually unlock it with your password.

Luckily, you can prevent this annoyance with a simple tweak. Open Secure Folder, go to Settings > Other security settings , and turn on Automatic data decryption . Once you're done, Secure Folder will automatically unlock after a reboot, and you won't see any warnings.

6. Back up Secure Folder data to external storage

While Secure Folder is great for privacy, there is always the risk of losing access to it if your Samsung phone is lost, stolen, or malfunctions. To avoid this, it is essential to create a backup of your Secure Folder data.

Samsung previously allowed users to back up Secure Folder contents to Samsung Cloud, but that feature is no longer available. Instead, you can use Samsung's Smart Switch app to manually back up your Secure Folder data.

You can back up all the data in Secure Folder, including files, apps, and settings, to an external storage device or your computer. Because the backup is encrypted, you or anyone else cannot view its contents without restoring it to your Samsung phone. This is especially useful for keeping backups safe or transferring your data to a new device.

7. Enable the "Forgot PIN/Password" option for Secure Folder

Do you often forget important PINs and passwords? If so, losing access to Secure Folder on your Samsung Galaxy device can be a serious problem. By default, there is no built-in recovery option. If you forget your Secure Folder PIN or password, your only solution is to reset or reinstall Secure Folder, which will result in the loss of all stored data.

However, you can enable the Reset with Samsung account option by going to Secure Folder Settings > Lock type to ensure that if you enter the wrong PIN or password, you will see the Forgot PIN/Password option.

By verifying your identity with your Samsung account password, you can regain access to Secure Folder without losing valuable files or apps. Keeping this feature enabled can save you from major trouble in the future.

8. Move all files out of Secure Folder at once

If you decide to stop using Secure Folder or need to move all of your files back to standard storage, manually moving each file over can be tedious. Luckily, there's a faster way to move everything out at once.

Instead of selecting individual files, you can use the built-in uninstall option to move all media files in one go. Go to Secure Folder Settings > More settings > Uninstall . Then, check the Move media files out of Secure Folder checkbox and select Uninstall to confirm.

Your device will automatically move all media files – such as photos, videos, and documents – back to their original locations in standard storage before Secure Folder Settings is removed. If you need this feature again, you can easily reinstall Secure Folder from the Galaxy Store without losing any previously backed up content.

Secure Folder is one of the best features of Samsung Galaxy phones. It provides a private, encrypted space for your sensitive apps and files. By applying these tips, you can maximize its potential, enhancing both security and convenience.

David Pac

Update 26 May 2025