If you’re like most people, you probably take tons of photos.
You may use the Google Photos app to store them all, but did you know you can create a Google Photo hidden album to keep some of your pictures private?
This feature can be super handy when you want to keep some images away from prying eyes without deleting them.
It’s a way to make sure your personal photos stay personal.
But how exactly do you set this up? And is it really secure?
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand and gives you all the facts.
What Is a Google Photo Hidden Album?
A Google Photo hidden album is a feature that allows you to hide specific photos or albums from showing up in your main Google Photos library.
While it’s hidden, you can still access the photos by entering a passcode or using biometric security like a fingerprint.
This is great for keeping photos like personal documents or private pictures out of your main photo stream.
It’s a step towards keeping your personal life safe and organized without going overboard.
How to Create a Hidden Album in Google Photos
Creating a hidden album is pretty simple, but it’s not as straightforward as it could be. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:
- Open Google Photos: First, launch the Google Photos app on your phone or tablet.
- Select Photos to Hide: Tap and hold the photos you want to hide. You can select multiple photos at once.
- Move to Locked Folder: After selecting your photos, tap the three dots at the top right corner, and choose “Move to Locked Folder.”
- Set Up Security: If this is your first time using the locked folder, you’ll be asked to set up a passcode or use your device’s fingerprint or face recognition.
- Access Hidden Photos: You can view these photos by going into the locked folder, but remember, they won’t show up in your main photo library.
What Makes Google Photos’ Hidden Album Useful?
The feature is handy, but it’s not without limitations. Here are some of the best things about it:
- Security: It adds an extra layer of security with a passcode or fingerprint.
- Privacy: Your hidden photos won’t show up in shared albums, on smart devices, or in the photo gallery.
- Ease of Use: Moving photos into the hidden album is simple and doesn’t require you to download any additional apps.
However, it’s worth mentioning that while the hidden album is useful, it’s not perfect. There are a few things you need to be aware of.
Limitations of the Google Photo Hidden Album
Even though Google Photos’ hidden album is a cool feature, it does have some downsides:
- Photos Aren’t Backed Up: Any pictures you move to the hidden album won’t be backed up in the cloud. If you lose your phone, you lose the hidden photos too.
- Limited Availability: This feature is only available on Android devices right now. iPhone users can’t use it.
- No Shared Access: You can’t share hidden photos unless you move them back to your main library.
Now, if you need a more robust option with additional features, there are apps specifically designed to hide photos.
One app that does this really well is Locker: Photo Vault. This app can store photos in a hidden vault with even more control over security and organization.
Download the app today for a safe and secure experience.
Comparing Google Photos Hidden Album with Locker: Photo Vault
Here’s a comparison of the Google Photo hidden album and Locker: Photo Vault to help you see which one might work best for you.
| Feature | Google Photo Hidden Album | Locker: Photo Vault |
| Availability | Android Only | Android & iPhone |
| Cloud Backup | No | Yes |
| Biometric Security | Yes | Yes |
| Organize into Folders | Basic | Advanced |
| Password Reset Option | No | Yes |
| Photo Recovery | No | Yes |
| Storage Limits | Tied to phone storage | Cloud-based |
As you can see, Locker: Photo Vault offers several features that Google’s hidden album doesn’t.
It’s a more robust solution for people who really want to lock away their photos and not worry about accidentally losing them if they lose their phone.
Plus, it has better organizational features.
Tips for Using Hidden Photo Albums Safely
Whether you use Google’s hidden album or an app like Locker: Photo Vault, here are some tips to ensure your private photos stay private:
- Always use strong passwords: When setting up your hidden album or vault, make sure to use a password that isn’t easy to guess. Avoid things like “123456” or “password.”
- Enable biometric security: If your phone has fingerprint or face unlock, use it. It’s faster and often more secure than a traditional password.
- Backup your photos: If you use Google’s hidden album, keep in mind those photos aren’t backed up. Consider moving them to a cloud-based vault like Locker: Photo Vault.
- Avoid saving sensitive photos to your main library: Try not to save personal or sensitive photos in your main Google Photos account if you plan to hide photos later. It’s better to move them to a secure place right away.
How Private Are Your Hidden Photos?
You might be wondering just how secure these hidden albums are.
The Google Photos app uses your phone’s built-in security features, like fingerprint and face unlock, to lock your hidden albums.
While this adds a good level of security, remember that if someone gains access to your phone, they might still be able to get into your hidden album if they know your passcode.
Statistics show that about 40% of people don’t use any kind of phone lock. This is a huge security risk.
If you’re going to store private photos in a hidden album, make sure you’re using some sort of lock on your phone itself.
So if you want to keep some things private, you might want to rethink who has access to your passcode.
Alternatives to Google Photos Hidden Album
If you find Google Photos’ hidden album feature too limited or if you’re on an iPhone, you can use other apps to hide photos.
Here are a few good alternatives:
- Locker: Photo Vault: As mentioned before, this app offers stronger security features and is available for both Android and iPhone users.
- KeepSafe: This is another app designed to lock away private photos. It has cloud backup and more advanced options like break-in alerts.
- Private Photo Vault: This app is similar to Locker, offering strong security, easy organization, and available for both iPhone and Android users.
Conclusion
The Google Photo hidden album is a great feature if you want to keep some photos and videos away from prying eyes, but it’s not the most secure or versatile option out there.
If you’re looking for something more reliable and with cloud backup, you might want to consider an app like Locker: Photo Vault.
With the ability to store and organize your photos securely, you won’t have to worry about losing them if something happens to your phone.
So whether you’re sticking with Google Photos’ hidden album or upgrading to a more robust app, always remember to protect your photos and videos with strong passwords and backup options.
Keeping your private moments safe doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a bit of extra effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find my hidden photos on Google Photos?
To find your hidden photos and videos in Google Photos, you’ll need to go to the “Locked Folder.”
This locked folder is where Google Photos stores your hidden or private images. To access it, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
- Tap Library at the bottom of the screen.
- Next, choose Utilities.
- Scroll down until you find the Locked Folder option.
From there, you’ll need to unlock it using your passcode or fingerprint, depending on how you’ve set it up.
2. How do I access my hidden photo album?
Accessing your hidden photo album is easy once you know where to look:
- Open Google Photos on your Android device.
- Tap on Library at the bottom.
- Go to Utilities and scroll down until you see Locked Folder.
- To view the photos, you’ll need to unlock the folder using your fingerprint, face ID, or your phone’s passcode.
Note that these photos won’t appear in your main library or be visible in shared albums.
3. What happens to hidden photos on Google Photos?
Hidden photos stored in the Locked Folder are not backed up to the cloud. This means that if you lose your device or reset it, these photos will be gone.
They only exist locally on your device. Hidden photos also won’t show up in photo streams, shared albums, or on any other devices connected to your Google account.
If you ever need to share or move these pictures, you’ll first need to transfer them out of the Locked Folder.
4. How to make a hidden album in Google Photos?
Here’s how you can create a hidden album in Google Photos (called the “Locked Folder”):
- Open Google Photos on your Android phone.
- Select the photos you want to hide by pressing and holding each one.
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Move to Locked Folder.
- If you haven’t set up the folder before, you’ll need to create a passcode or enable biometric security.
Once added, these photos will be stored in the Locked Folder and hidden from your main library.
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