One UI 4.0: How to setup Secure Folder for sensitive data on your Samsung smartphone

One UI 4.0 is the fourth generation of Samsung’s One UI based on Google’s Android 12. The Android 12 update comes with a number of new features such as a redesigned user interface and a Material You theme system and more.

With One UI 4, users get a wealth of theme options that allow them to adjust the look and functionality of their devices, providing them with tools to configure their home screen, icons, notifications, wallpapers and more.

However, One UI 4.0 also provides users a strong privacy protections to ensure that their personal information does not fall into the wrong hands, and Secure Folder is a very underestimated feature of Samsung Galaxy phones with Knox protection. Enabling the option will essentially create an encrypted folder on your phone with a PIN or pattern that is different from the one used to unlock your phone.

After you create a Secure Folder, you can store personal information and data such as photos, account numbers, and documents. Most people store their credit card numbers, PINs, etc. on their smartphones. While this is not a good practice, a secure folder adds extra security to such information.

Even if someone accesses your phone, they should also use the extra security of a secure folder to access your personal information. Keep in mind that the secure folder is only available on some Galaxy phones, mainly mid-range and flagship phones. If you are using a budget Samsung device, you may not have this feature.

How to setup Secure Folder?

If you want to set up the Secure Folder feature on your phone-

• Go to Settings> Biometrics & Security> Secure Folder.

If you have not already done so, you will be prompted to sign in with your Samsung account. When done, you can enter the password to access the secure folder, and then set up a biometric method to access it, such as your fingerprint.

After setting it up, you can add the files or whatever you want to the secure folder. If you want to move an existing file or photo to a Secure folder, go to the Gallery app and long-click on the object you want to move, then select the Move to Secure Folder option.

To access the secure folder, you can tap on the icon in your app drawer or toggle the Quick Off in the Notification Center.

Remove Fils from Secure Folder

What if you want to show such pictures or a video hidden in your Secure Folder? You’ll need to use My File in Secure Folder. To do this-

1. Navigate to and open Secure Folder.
2. Enter your Secure Folder passcode information.
3. Tap My Files and search for the file you want to move out of Secure Folder.
4. Tap and hold the file, and then tap More Options. Tap Move out of Secure Folder.
5. Tap and hold the file, and then tap More Options.
6. Tap Move out of Secure Folder.

Hide your Secure Folder

If you don’t want anyone to even know the Secure Folder exists on your phone, you can hide it from your Apps screen.

1. Swipe down using two fingers to access the Quick Settings panel.
2. Swipe to and tap Secure Folder to hide or unhide the app.

• You can also go to Settings, search for and tap Secure Folder under Biometrics and security, and then tap Secure Folder.
• Sign in, and then tap the switch next to Show Secure Folder.

Finally, you can keep the Secure Folder in plain sight by changing its name or icon. Navigate to and open Secure Folder, and then enter your security credentials. Tap More Options, and then tap Customize. From here, you can change the app’s name and icon. When you’re done, tap Apply.