Google Photos Locked Folder can keep selected photos and videos out of the main grid, Memories, search, albums and other apps on the device. But there is one setting worth checking before you rely on it: whether the Locked Folder is backed up.
How to find it and what protects it
In Google Photos, open Collections > Locked and follow the setup prompts. Google says Locked Folder uses your device screen lock; anyone who can unlock the device can unlock the folder too. A separate Locked Folder password is not available. The feature is available on Android 6 and later, according to Google’s help page.
Check backup before changing phones
Google lets you turn on automatic backup for Locked Folder. If backup is off, those items are stored only on that device. Google warns that unbacked items can be lost if you uninstall Photos, clear app data, or lose or damage the device. You can enable the feature under Photos settings > Backup > Back up Locked Folder, or manually back up selected items from inside the folder.
Before trading in or resetting a phone, verify that Locked Folder backup is enabled and that the items are available from the account you expect. Do not assume that regular Google Photos backup automatically includes Locked Folder contents; check the specific setting.
Know the sharing trade-off
Locked Folder is designed to be private and not shared. To share an item, move it out first. If you enable backup, the items can be available on other devices signed into the same Google Account, so keep that account secure and review signed-in devices.
Locked Folder is useful for keeping selected media out of everyday browsing, but it is not a separate vault with a different password. The backup toggle and the device screen lock determine important parts of its protection and recovery.
Featured image credit: Rawpixel.com on Wikimedia Commons — CC0 (license).
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