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| Users can access locked folders in Google Photos |
The locked Google Photos folder feature promises to exclude sensitive photos from the main photos list and appear on Android phones that have nothing to do with Google Pixel devices.
Google announced in September that it would soon expand the functionality to other Android phones. It is said to have appeared on some Samsung OnePlus devices. Older Pixel devices that you didn't have access to can now also be used.
This feature allows you to select and save specific photos or videos to a locked folder that is protected by a password or biometric technology.
Putting it in a locked folder will remove it from your primary photo source and keep it away from the cloud. After the feature was announced in May at Google I/O 2021, it was launched on Google's own phones (Pixel 3 and later) in June.
This feature should be available for phones running Android 6 or higher. Once the new feature is launched, users will receive a notification about the locked folder settings from the Photos app.
You can access it by going to Google Photos, the Gallery tab, and Utilities.
Google also announced that this feature will appear in the iOS version of Google Photos early next year.
If you have this feature and want to use it, please note that photos stored in locked folders are not backed up to the cloud. If you uninstall the app or erase the device without moving the device, it will be erased.
Another option to save Google Photos
Although the Pixel Camera app allows users to save new photos and videos to a folder right after taking them, it's not clear if this feature applies to other camera apps as well.
If users are in a locked folder, they will not be able to take screenshots for security reasons. The only two operations available when viewing media are move or delete.
While Google announced the expansion of the Folder Lock feature, it has also released several other new features.
Some of the new features include the ability to use your Android phone as a remote control. Plus new Android Auto and accessibility features.