If there are photos on your Android device that you don't want to show to other people, there are several ways to hide them. You can find a wide range of applications to hide and manage hidden images; you can even create hidden folders or, if you really fear your device might fall into the wrong hands, an encrypted ZIP archive.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use an Application to Protect Files
Step 1. Download a file protection application
This is called a "file locker" and is available on the Play Store; allows you to "lock" the images inside the application itself, preventing access without the appropriate password. Search the Play Store and read reviews to find the most useful app for your needs. Here are the most famous:
- KeepSafe;
- Hide It Pro;
- Gallery Lock;
- PhotoVault;
- Vaulty.
Step 2. Set a PIN code
After installing the application for the first time, you are usually asked to create a code, which you can later use to access the protected files.
You can also set up an email address to retrieve the code in case you forget it
Step 3. Add images to the application
Once installed, you can transfer the photos you want to protect there. Open the selected image and tap the share button; select the "file locker" program in the list of available options, in order to transfer the image to the application.
- Repeat the process until all "sensitive" photos are hidden.
- Depending on the application you downloaded, it is possible to browse the files to be hidden directly from the application itself, instead of having to use the share button.
Method 2 of 3: Create a Hidden Folder
Step 1. Download a file management application
Android devices can automatically hide folders that are formatted in a certain way, but for this to happen you need a file management application. Some devices already come with this native app, but in other cases you need to download it for free from the Google Play Store. Among the best known programs are mentioned:
- ES File Explorer;
- File Manager;
- ASTRO File Manager.
Step 2. Open the folder you want to transfer the images to
For added security, choose one that has nothing to do with photographs, such as an application.
Step 3. Create a new folder
The process varies depending on the file management application you are using. You may need to press and hold a key to bring up a menu or select the "New" key.
Step 4. Put a period in front of the folder name
This sign (.) Indicates that the folder is hidden, it does not appear automatically when you browse the various folders and it is not present in the "Gallery" or in other media file players.
Step 5. Enable access to hidden files
The file manager application is set to not show hidden documents. It is advisable to activate access to these images while transferring them to the hidden folder, you can prevent them from being viewed at the end of the procedure.
The procedure for viewing hidden files depends on the resource management application; generally, you can find the option in the "Settings" menu
Step 6. Open the new folder and create a new file
You can do this from the same menu you used to create the folder. Rename the.nomedia file to prevent the contents of the folder from being viewed by media players.
Step 7. Move the images you want to hide to the new folder
Open the one that contains the photos you want to protect, press one and keep it pressed; then, tap on all the others you want to transfer.
- Select "Move" or "Cut" from the menu.
- Return to the newly created hidden folder.
- Choose "Move" or "Paste" from the menu; the images will move to the new folder.
Step 8. Hide "secret" files after transferring them
Open the "Settings" menu of the file manager application and turn off the ability to view protected images. At this point, the hidden folder disappears.
Step 9. Add the photos to the folder
Whenever you have images to protect, move them to the hidden folder. You can also uninstall the file manager application when you don't need it, so as not to arouse suspicion.
Method 3 of 3: Create a Password Protected ZIP File
Step 1. Download a program that allows you to create compressed files protected by a password
If you really want to prevent prying eyes from seeing your photos, you can transfer them to an encrypted archive. To do this, you need a specific application. Here are the most used:
- ZArchiver;
- ArchiDroid.
Step 2. Open the application
The instructions described below refer to ZArchiver, although the procedure is common to other applications.
Step 3. Tap the "New" button
It is located at the bottom of the screen and looks like a "+" sign.
Step 4. Select "New Archive"
This function allows you to open a new window with the archive settings.
Step 5. Add a period in front of the archive name
To add an extra layer of security, you can hide the new archive by adding a period (.) In front of the name.
Step 6. Add a password
Once the new archive has been created, you can enter a password; pick one that you can remember, but that isn't easy to guess. Select "Data and file names" from the "Encryption" drop-down menu; when finished, tap "OK".
Step 7. Choose the files you want to add to the archive
You can transfer files individually or entire folders; select all the documents you want to hide.
Step 8. Save the new archive
When finished selecting files, save the archive. You must enter the password in order to have access to the archive or even just to view the names of the files contained.
