How to use Samsung Secure Folder

Some of Samsung’s phones come pre-installed with something called ‘Secure Folder’. It is also available as a downloadable app for Samsung phones.

What is Secure Folder?

Secure Folder is a private, encrypted space on Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Apps and other data like notes, pictures, contacts, apps, or documents that are in Secure Folder are hidden under an additional layer of security protected by Samsung Knox security.

Samsung says, “Apps and data moved to Secure Folder are sandboxed separately on the device and gain an additional layer of security and privacy, thus further protecting them from malicious attacks.”

The Secure Folder can only be used with a security key or pattern or biometric authentication. The Secure Folder contents can be backed up and restored to a new device.

How to use it?

Apps can be moved to the Secure Folder by just dragging and dropping. But what happens here (unlike in normal folders) is that a new instance of an app is installed. For example, if you drag and drop your WhatsApp into the secure folder, a new WhatsApp instance is created. You can use this (if you have a dual SIM phone) to link it with the other number. So, the Secure Folder also acts as a ‘Dual App’ setting found in few other dual SIM phones.

Apps can also be installed in the Secure Folder by clicking the Add icon in the folder.