6 Solid Ways to Make Your Samsung Secure Folder Hack-Proof

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Do you rely on Samsung’s Secure Folder to keep your secrets under wraps on your Galaxy phone? Secure Folder provides a private, encrypted space for your photos, videos, files, and even apps. However, it’s not foolproof, and with some effort, others could still potentially access your hidden files. Don’t worry, we’ll share some sureshot ways to make your Secure Folder more secure and keep your information safe from prying eyes.

1. Disable Automatic Data Decryption After Reboot

By default, your phone automatically decrypts the contents of Secure Folder when it restarts. Don’t worry, the folder itself remains password-protected, but the apps and data inside are decrypted. This means you can quickly access them once you unlock your phone and enter your Secure Folder credentials.

However, this is slightly less secure, as the decryption process happens automatically in the background, allowing apps to start running and sending notifications. This might be convenient if you’re the only person who uses your phone, but if you’re concerned about someone else accessing those files, it’s best to disable this feature.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Secure Folder and tap the three-dots menu > Settings.
2. Tap on Other security settings.
3. Toggle off Automatic data decryption.

While you’re there, disable Allow clipboard. This prevents you (or someone else) from accidentally copying sensitive messages or web links from Secure Folder.

2. Block Reset Via Samsung Account

Samsung allows you to reset your Secure Folder password using your Samsung account details, but this can be risky if someone compromises your account. For example, if your email account gets compromise, the hacker tries to reset your Samsung account password. After that, reset your Secure Folder password, gaining access to all your hidden information.

Disabling this reset option prevents hackers from exploiting a compromised Samsung account to break into your Secure Folder:

1. Open Secure Folder, tap three dots, and choose Settings.
2. Tap Lock type (you’ll need to enter your current security code).
3. Disable Reset with Samsung account.

I’d also recommend turning off the Fingerprint option. While convenient, fingerprints can be used without your consent when you are asleep or unconscious. Using a strong PIN, pattern, or password ensures that only you have access to your most sensitive data.

3. Auto Lock Secure Folder Instantly

Secure Folder is designed to lock automatically when your screen turns off, but a potential security gap exists if you close the app manually. For example, after you show a funny video to a friend on your phone, you quickly close the Secure Folder and hand them the phone. They could accidentally reopen it and view your hidden photos before the automatic lock engages.

Enabling the instant lock setting will prevent this from happening:

1. In Secure Folder Settings, tap Auto lock Secure Folder.
2. Choose Each time I leave an app.

This setting also hides Secure Folder previews in your recent apps list. That means the contents of the Secure Folder won’t be visible, even if someone opens your recent apps list.

4. Hide Secure Folder From Home and Apps Screen

When you have the Secure Folder open on your phone screen, it’s like a neon sign saying, “Hey, I’ve got secrets here!” If a coworker or anyone else borrows your phone to make a call, that person can view the Secure Folder icon. The curiosity might get the better of them.

If you don’t want nosy people snooping around, you can easily hide Secure Folder from your home screen. Here’s how:

1. In Secure Folder Settings, toggle off Add Secure Folder to Apps Screen.
2. Tap Hide when the “Hide Secure Folder?” prompt appears.

After that, you can access Secure Folder through Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder. It will work the same as before; you’ll need to access it from there instead of the app drawer or home screen.

5. Disguise Secure Folder

Digging through your phone’s settings to get into your Secure Folder every time can be a real pain. But if hiding it completely isn’t your style, there’s another option: you can change its name and icon to make it look like an app that blends in with your other apps.

Someone snooping around your phone wouldn’t think twice about opening something called Secure Folder, but they might be hesitant to open a seemingly harmless Calculator.

Here’s how to change the name and icon:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in Secure Folder and choose Customize.
2. Change the name and icon to something less-suspicious (e.g., “Calculator,” “Utilities”).
3. Tap on Apply to save.

6. Hide Apps Inside Secure Folder

You can hide apps within the Secure Folder. So, if you ever need to show someone photos or other data within the Secure Folder, you can ensure they don’t see specific apps you’ve also hidden there.

To hide apps:

1. Open the Secure Folder.
2. Long-press the app you want to hide and choose Select.
3. Select all the apps you’d like to hide.
4. Tap Hide in the bottom-right corner.
5. A confirmation pop-up will appear – tap Hide again.

To access hidden apps:

1. Tap the ‘+‘ icon in the Secure Folder.
2. Scroll to the bottom. You’ll find the Apps hidden in secure folder section.
3. To unhide them, select the desired apps and tap Add. They’ll be back in the main view.

Protect Your Data

While Secure Folder is pretty solid, you can make it virtually unhackable by turning off features like automatic decryption and blocking reset via Samsung account. We’ve also covered some handy tips to keep your data safe from nosy friends, family, colleagues, or anyone else who might be interested in your private stuff. So go ahead, lock down your Secure Folder and rest easy knowing your secrets are safe and sound. And if you want to dive deeper, check out our other Secure Folder tips and tricks to make the most of this awesome feature.