iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use Samsung’s built-in Secure Folder to keep an app behind a separate PIN, password, pattern, or supported-device fingerprint. Open Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder, finish the security setup, then use Add apps inside the folder.
Secure Folder creates a protected copy of the app; it does not put a passcode on the original app outside the folder. You can therefore have an unprotected instance and a protected instance at the same time. The exact labels can vary by Galaxy model, carrier, and One UI version.
What Secure Folder actually locks
Secure Folder is a protected area built into supported Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. Its lock applies to the folder and the app copy installed inside it. Moving an app into the folder does not convert the copy outside the folder into a locked app. If you need private use, open the version inside Secure Folder and keep the outside version for ordinary use.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThat distinction matters for accounts, settings, files, and notifications. The protected installation is managed separately from the installation outside the folder, and some apps may require you to sign in or configure them again. If an app does not work correctly in the folder, Samsung recommends trying it there after updating and contacting the app’s developer if the problem continues (Samsung troubleshooting guidance).
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
- With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
- Wide Application: attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
- Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
- Economical &Reusable: Built durable materials with a long-lasting battery,our CAGIWIRU air duster it's a sustainable alternative to disposable air cans.
Secure Folder is available only on supported Galaxy devices. If the menu described below is missing, the phone may not support the feature rather than having a hidden passcode setting.
Check your phone before setting it up
- Look for Secure Folder at Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings.
- Have a Samsung account available. Samsung may ask you to sign in during setup.
- Decide whether you want a PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint unlock. Fingerprint access is available only on devices that support it.
- Plan a recovery method. During setup, enable Reset with Samsung account if that option is offered and you want Samsung-account recovery later.
Samsung notes that the screens and wording vary with the carrier and software version. If Secure Folder does not appear in More security settings, check whether your specific Galaxy model supports it rather than assuming the feature was merely moved (Samsung’s setup instructions).
Set up Secure Folder
- Open Settings.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Open More security settings, then tap Secure Folder.
- Tap Continue and grant the permissions requested by the setup wizard.
- Sign in to your Samsung account if prompted.
- Choose a PIN, password, or pattern, enter it again, and complete setup. On a supported phone, turn on fingerprint unlock if you want it as a convenient way to open the folder.
- If shown, turn on Reset with Samsung account. This is the recovery switch Samsung uses if you forget the folder credential.
When setup finishes, an unlocked Secure Folder opens with Samsung’s standard folder controls. Locking the phone itself and locking Secure Folder are related but separate: the folder has its own credential and automatic-lock settings.
Take a moment to record the credential in your normal password manager before adding sensitive apps. The Samsung-account reset option is conditional, so enabling it during setup is important if you want that recovery route later. If you skip it, do not assume that signing in to a Samsung account afterward will automatically create a recovery option.
Add an app to the protected area
- Open Secure Folder from the Apps screen or its shortcut.
- Tap Add apps (the plus icon).
- Select the app you want to protect.
- Tap Add.
Samsung describes this action as adding a copy of the app to Secure Folder (Samsung’s app-add instructions). The original app outside the folder remains where it was. To protect private activity, use the copy inside Secure Folder; opening the outside copy will not require the Secure Folder credential.
App behavior is not identical for every developer. Test the copied app before relying on it. If it will not open, update the app and try again; Samsung’s troubleshooting page advises contacting the developer when compatibility problems remain (Samsung troubleshooting).
What is separate between the two copies?
Think of the protected copy as a second installation rather than a shortcut to the first one. Its sign-in session, permissions, stored data, and settings can differ from those of the app outside Secure Folder. You might need to authenticate again, select accounts again, or reconfigure app preferences. Changes made in one copy should not be assumed to appear in the other.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Check the icon location before entering a private conversation, document, photo, or account. The icon inside the Secure Folder screen is the protected route. The ordinary icon on the home screen or Apps screen remains an unprotected route unless you remove or avoid it yourself.
Choose the right unlock method
| Method | Availability | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
| PIN | Supported Secure Folder devices | Quick numeric entry |
| Password | Supported Secure Folder devices | Useful when you prefer a longer, more complex credential |
| Pattern | Supported Secure Folder devices | Visual gesture entry |
| Fingerprint | Supported devices with a fingerprint sensor and setup support | Convenient biometric unlock while retaining the folder credential |
Use a credential that is not obvious to other people who use the phone. Fingerprint unlock is a convenience option, not a replacement for remembering the PIN, password, or pattern: you may still need the primary credential after a restart or when Samsung requests it.
Rank #2
- Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
- Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
- Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
- Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
- Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
A PIN is usually the quickest choice when you unlock often. A password is more suitable if you want a longer credential that is harder to guess. A pattern is convenient if you prefer a gesture, but avoid an easily traced shape. Fingerprint unlock can speed up access on supported hardware, while the underlying PIN, password, or pattern remains essential for recovery and some security prompts.
Configure automatic locking
Secure Folder includes its own automatic-lock controls. Open Secure Folder, tap the three-dot menu, and open its settings to review the available lock behavior. The labels depend on your One UI release.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Android 16 with One UI 8
Samsung’s current guidance for Android 16 with One UI 8 says the former Each time I leave an app choice has been removed. The default is When screen turns off. This means leaving an app does not by itself use the old per-app lock rule; the folder locks when the phone’s screen turns off. To lock immediately, open Secure Folder, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Lock and exit (Samsung’s current locking instructions).
Other One UI versions
Earlier releases can show different automatic-lock choices and wording. Select the option that matches how quickly you need the folder to close, then test it by leaving Secure Folder and checking when the credential is requested. If your phone is supposed to run One UI 8 but Lock and exit is absent, install available system updates and try again; Samsung specifically associates that command with the updated guidance.
Do not infer a setting’s behavior from its name alone after a major software update. Open the lock settings, note the selected option, then perform a simple test: open the protected app, leave Secure Folder, turn the screen off, and reopen the folder. This confirms the behavior on your own model without risking private work.
Lock it immediately when you are finished
- Return to the Secure Folder home screen.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Lock and exit.
- Reopen Secure Folder and authenticate to confirm that the lock took effect.
Use this command when handing the phone to someone else or when you do not want to wait for the screen-off timer. On software versions that do not show the command, use the automatic-lock setting available in that version and lock the phone’s screen.
Locking immediately is especially useful after checking a private message or account while the phone is unlocked. It closes the folder rather than merely returning you to another screen. Remember that the command locks Secure Folder itself; it does not lock the unrelated app copy outside the folder.
Hide the Secure Folder shortcut
Hiding the icon is optional and is not the same as locking the folder. A hidden shortcut makes the folder less conspicuous, but anyone who knows how to restore it can make the entry visible again; the credential still provides the access control.
Hide from Quick Settings
Open the Quick Settings panel and use the Secure Folder control to hide or show the folder shortcut, following the label on your One UI version.
Rank #3
- 【Large size】：Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
- 【LED backlight mouse pad】：Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
- 【Anti-slip rubber base】：Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
- 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
- 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
Hide it from the folder settings
- Open Secure Folder and its settings.
- Switch off Add Secure Folder to Apps screen.
- Confirm the change if prompted.
To access a hidden folder later, restore the shortcut through Quick Settings or the corresponding Secure Folder setting. Samsung documents both hiding methods on its Secure Folder support page (Samsung support).
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Hiding does not uninstall the folder, remove its apps, or change its credential. It only removes the usual shortcut from view. Treat it as a visibility measure for a shared phone, not as a substitute for the lock or as proof that the contents are inaccessible.
Understand enhanced encryption before enabling it
Samsung’s updated instructions describe an enhanced-encryption mode for Secure Folder. It provides an additional protection state but has a direct availability cost: apps in the folder and their notifications stop working until the folder is decrypted. Do not enable this mode when you need protected apps to receive notifications or remain available in the background. Decrypt the folder before using those apps again, as described by the controls on your device (Samsung’s encryption instructions).
This trade-off matters for messaging, authentication, calendar, or work apps that you expect to alert you. Decide whether the extra protection state is worth pausing those apps. If notifications suddenly stop and the apps appear unavailable, check encryption status before deleting and reinstalling anything.
Use protected and unprotected app copies safely
Choose which copy to open
After adding an app, check both icons and launch the one displayed inside Secure Folder for private work. The outside icon still opens the ordinary installation. If you use the wrong icon, the activity is not protected by Secure Folder’s lock.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallExpect separate app behavior
The copy may have different sign-in state, permissions, stored data, or notification behavior from the outside installation. These differences are a consequence of running a second copy, not evidence that the folder failed. Configure the protected copy deliberately and verify that it performs the task you need.
Check notifications
Notifications from an app in Secure Folder follow the folder’s lock and encryption state. If you enabled enhanced encryption, Samsung says both the apps and their notifications remain unavailable until decryption. If you need alerts, use the normal Secure Folder mode and review the phone’s notification settings.
Be deliberate with accounts
If you use the same service in both copies, verify which account is active before sending, uploading, or editing anything. The two installations can hold different sessions. A sign-in screen inside Secure Folder is normal because the copied app is being configured independently.
Troubleshoot common problems
Secure Folder is missing from Settings
Go to Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings and search for Secure Folder. If it is not listed, your model may not support the feature. Samsung states that Secure Folder is not present on every Galaxy device, and carrier or software differences can change the menu path (Samsung setup support).
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
- 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
- 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
- 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
- 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
The app will not run inside the folder
- Open the app inside Secure Folder and note the exact failure.
- Update the app and the phone’s software, then test the copied installation again.
- If it still fails, contact the app developer. Samsung notes that compatibility can vary by app and may require a developer update (Samsung troubleshooting).
Do not assume that removing the outside app will fix a compatibility problem. First confirm that the protected copy is updated and that its permissions and sign-in state are complete.
Lock and exit is not available
That command is part of Samsung’s Android 16 with One UI 8 guidance. Check Settings → Software update, install an available One UI update, and look again in Secure Folder’s three-dot menu. If the phone remains on an older release, use its available automatic-lock control instead.
You forgot the Secure Folder credential
Tap the folder’s Forgot prompt, if it appears, and follow the Samsung-account recovery flow. Samsung says the prompt appears only when Reset with Samsung account was enabled during security setup. If that switch was not enabled, the folder cannot be recovered through that option (Samsung access troubleshooting).
You hid the icon and cannot find the folder
Open Quick Settings and restore the Secure Folder control, or re-enable Add Secure Folder to Apps screen from the folder’s settings. Hiding changes the shortcut’s visibility; it does not delete the folder or its contents.
Recommended Free Tools
The outside app still opens without a lock
This is expected when you added a copy. Remove or avoid the outside shortcut if you do not want an unprotected route, and use only the icon inside Secure Folder for the protected instance. Secure Folder does not impose a passcode on the original installation.
Apps or notifications disappeared after encryption
Check whether enhanced encryption is active. Samsung says encrypted Secure Folder apps and their notifications do not work until the folder is decrypted. Decrypt it using the option provided in Secure Folder settings when you need normal availability.
The menus do not match these instructions
Samsung changes labels and placement with One UI releases and carrier software. Start by searching Settings for “Secure Folder,” then look under Security and privacy and More security settings. Use the closest matching label rather than repeatedly selecting an unrelated app-lock setting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical setup checklist
- Confirm that Secure Folder appears under Security and privacy → More security settings.
- Set a PIN, password, or pattern that other phone users do not know.
- Enable fingerprint unlock only if it suits your security and convenience needs.
- Turn on Reset with Samsung account during setup if you want that recovery path.
- Add the app through Secure Folder → Add apps → Add.
- Open the protected copy, not the original icon outside the folder.
- Choose an automatic-lock behavior appropriate to your One UI version.
- On Android 16 with One UI 8, use Lock and exit for an immediate lock.
- Hide the shortcut only as a visibility measure; keep the credential as the actual access control.
- Test app compatibility and notifications before relying on the protected copy.
- Check which account is signed in to each copy before sharing or editing private information.
- If you enable enhanced encryption, plan to decrypt before you need the apps or their notifications.
What this method can and cannot do
Secure Folder is useful when you want a Samsung-supported protected space without installing a separate app. It gives the folder an independent credential, supports a second copy of an app, and offers automatic-lock controls on compatible Galaxy devices.
It is not a universal passcode switch for every app already installed on the phone. The original installation remains outside the folder, device support is not universal, interface wording changes between software versions, and enhanced encryption trades app and notification availability for its protection state. Set up the copy, verify its behavior, and use the folder’s lock command whenever you finish a private session.
Best Value
- 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
- 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
- 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
- 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
- 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Secure Folder lock the app I already have installed?
No. Add apps places a copy inside Secure Folder. The original installation outside the folder remains available without the Secure Folder credential.
Can I use a fingerprint to open Secure Folder?
Yes, on supported Galaxy devices. You still need to retain the PIN, password, or pattern because Samsung may request it after a restart or for security checks.
Why is Secure Folder missing from my Samsung phone?
Secure Folder is not available on every Galaxy model. Check Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings; carrier and One UI versions can also change the wording or location.
What does Lock and exit do?
On Android 16 with One UI 8, it immediately locks Secure Folder from the three-dot menu. It is useful when you finish a private session instead of waiting for the screen-off lock.
Can I recover Secure Folder if I forget its credential?
Only if Reset with Samsung account was enabled during setup. If that option was not enabled, Samsung’s Forgot prompt and account-based recovery are not available.
Will apps keep working after enhanced encryption is enabled?
Samsung says apps in the encrypted folder and their notifications stop working until the folder is decrypted. Use normal Secure Folder mode when you need ongoing app availability and alerts.
Does hiding Secure Folder protect it?
Hiding removes the shortcut from the Apps screen or Quick Settings, but it is separate from locking. The credential remains the actual access control, and the shortcut can be restored.
The Bottom Line
On a supported Galaxy phone, set up Secure Folder under Security and privacy → More security settings, enable account recovery if desired, and add the app through Add apps. Use the copy inside the folder, configure automatic locking, and choose Lock and exit on Android 16 with One UI 8 when you need an immediate lock.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
