How to Block Your Photos and Videos on Google Photos
For one reason or another, we all have photos and videos that no one wants to look at, and we all got a little panic attack when we showed someone one picture and they started scrolling to the content they wanted. If you use Google Photos, you don’t have to worry anymore as you can easily move sensitive photos and videos to the locked folder.
Locked Google Photos Folder Now Available on Various Android Devices
Locking photos and videos was originally a Pixel-exclusive feature for Google Photos. However, Google has promised that it will appear on other Android and iOS devices by the end of the year. While the iPhone still doesn’t seem to have this feature, Android Police have found that some Android devices other than Pixel devices can use it.
First, a note on how this works: When you move photos and videos to a locked Google Photos folder, it does a few things. First, it explicitly hides these media from your shared photo library; second, it prevents that media from being backed up to the cloud, which adds another layer of privacy to images. This endangers these media; If you uninstall the Google Photos app or otherwise erase data from your phone, everything in the locked photo will also be deleted.
How to block photos and videos in Google Photos
Once this feature appears in your Google Photos app, all you have to do to use it is open the image or video you want to block. Swipe up on the image or tap the three dots in the upper right corner, then scroll through the expanded options and tap Move to locked folder.
If this is your first time using this feature, Google Photos will show you a splash screen detailing what the feature is about. If you are satisfied with all of the above features, click “Configure”. Now authenticate yourself using the authentication method you use on the lock screen. For example, if you are using face unlock, scan your face to proceed. You can also click Use PIN to enter your password instead. When prompted, click Submit.
All that’s left to do is hit Move and Google Photos will send that photo from your library to the locked folder.
How to access media in a locked folder
The locked folder is slightly hidden. To find it, click Library, then Utilities. Scroll down and tap Locked Folder. Log in, then click “Confirm”. Here you can view your photos and videos just like you would in any other folder, and you also have the option to move an item from a locked folder.