How to hide files on android so that they are not displayed in the gallery. How to hide files and folders on android

Today we all take a lot and often take pictures with the camera of mobile Android devices. Quality mobile cameras the quality of the images is growing, so is the quality of the images. But we do not always want all the received photos to fall into general access on your smartphone.

A logical question arises: how to hide a photo on Android in the Gallery from prying eyes? The point is that it is not an obvious option - to make the built-in Gallery (Gallery) or Google Photos app not display certain pictures and make their content private. Of course, there is a solution, and this is what my article is about today.

There are two main ways to hide your smartphone photo. According to the first, you need to create a new catalog in the smartphone's memory and transfer all the images that you want to hide from being shown in the gallery into it. The second method involves hiding images in the directory where they are already stored. For example, if you want to hide images saved in the Downloads folder.

Now let's take a closer look at how to hide a photo on Android in the Gallery.

The very first thing to do is open your favorite file manager on your smartphone. As an example, I will show you how to do everything with the help of your beloved mobile application"ES Explorer". You can use Solid Explorer or similar managers with standard functionality.

So, using the manager's tools, create internal memory smartphone ( Internal Storage) directory and give it an arbitrary name. The way you like it is better in English letters. As an example, I can offer you the eloquent name Hidden. If you want to hide the photo in an existing directory, you can skip this step.

Now you can open the newly created directory (in our example HIDDEN), or a pre-selected already existing directory. Here you will need to create a new file called ".nomedia". Click "+" or, as in my case, select the "Create" item through the menu and in a new context menu item "File". Confirm the creation of the file by tapping on "OK". The presence of this file tells the Gallery application that this directory does not need to be scanned for media files.

The newly created file will immediately disappear from your eyes. Don't worry about it, it should have happened! If you allow the file manager to show hidden files and directories, you will see a new file and much more interesting ... How to do it in ES Explorer? Very simple! Open in the left upper corner the settings menu, select the "Settings" item, then "Display Settings". Among the options in the new window, find "Show hidden files" and activate it by checking the box. And voila, the .nomedia file is clearly visible.

Now important point... If you want to hide a photo in a smartphone in an already existing directory (for example, Downloads), then you are done. All you need to do now is reboot your phone. If you created a new directory, keep reading.

If you have chosen to hide files the option of creating a new directory to which you want to transfer files with images, then I can recommend you to use a file manager such as Solid Explorer. The fact is that in landscape orientation, this manager shows both directories at once - the source and target, to which you want to transfer the files. The two-window interface makes the task of hiding photos on Android even easier.

Let's see how to transfer photos to the previously created directory in this program. Each of you can decide whether to use the method described below. You can also transfer files to ES Explorer and other programs, but not so convenient and simple.

  • In the left window, select the source directory that contains the photos or pictures you want to hide. For example, if we are talking about a photo, then find and open the DCIM -> Camera directory in the internal memory of the phone (or on a memory card).
  • Press and hold your finger on the photo you want to hide.
  • Check other files as well, if necessary.
  • Then click on the scissors icon in the upper right corner of the app. This will indicate which files to transfer. Please note that after that, in the left window of the source folder, the yellow icon with a plus sign in its lower right corner will change to a left arrow.
  • In order to transfer the file, select in the right window the target directory in which you previously created the special file ".nomedia". In my example, this is the "HIDDEN" directory.
  • Now tap on the yellow arrow icon and in the pop-up window select "Move to ..." with the scissors icon. Then the file will appear in the target folder and disappear in the source folder. The yellow icon will briefly change its color to green, with a checkmark symbol.
  • Well, at the end of the whole procedure, you need to reboot your smartphone. Why? Android's built-in media indexer must somehow find out which pictures to hide in the gallery. In simple terms, this will speed up the scanning of new files and lead to the detection of the ".nomedia" file you created. After rebooting, the operating system itself will understand that the photos that are in the same directory with it no longer need to be shown to anyone.

This does not mean that the files will become inaccessible. Of course, you, the owner of the smartphone, can always access hidden photos through your favorite file manager. Just remember where the hidden properties directory is. Now I can congratulate you, you know how to hide photos on Android in Gallery and Google Photos and not lose access to them.

You may have a screen lock password on your phone, but it can't stop whoever you give your phone to from seeing your private photos. In this article, we will show you the steps by following which you can hide photos on your Android phone or tablet.

Ways to hide photos

Most users have a large number of photos saved on your phone or tablet, and some of those photos may be private and not meant to be seen by everyone.

However, it is possible that any of your family or friends may need to use your phone or ask you to show it. In situations like this, you may start to worry that your photos might be seen.

Fortunately, there are several ways to hide photos on android phones and tablets. In fact, LG and Samsung phones have built-in tools that allow users to hide photos.

If you have a different phone, you can use the apps available in Play Store in order to hide photos on your android phone or tablet.

Without further ado, let's take a look at what you need to do to hide photos on your android phone or tablet using the following methods.

Hide photos on android using AppLock app
Hide photos on android with Vaulty app
Hide Photos on Samsung Phones Using Private Mode
Hide Photos on LG Phones with Content Lock

Note. All methods for hiding a photo on a phone, as described below, include creating a password. Hence, remember the password or write it down to avoid losing your photos.

How to hide photos on android using AppLock app

  1. Download the AppLock app from the Play Store.

1.1. Open the Play Store from your android phone or tablet and search for AppLock.

2.2. Click on AppLock from DoMobile Lab and download the app to your device.

  1. Install AppLock.

After downloading the app, you need to install it on your phone before you can use it to hide your photos.

2.1. Open the AppLock app on your android phone or tablet.

2.2. You will be attached to create graphic password to enter. This is done by gestures across the screen.

2.3. Then you will need to draw the password again to confirm it.

2.4. On the next screen you will be asked to write your address Email, but you can skip this step, although it can help with security.

  1. Protect your photos using the AppLock app.

Now that you've finished setting up AppLock on your device, you can follow these steps to protect your Photos app with a password.

3.1. After setting up AppLock, you will be taken to the app home screen.

3.2. Click on the tab security.

3.3. Then scroll down and click on the lock icon located opposite Photos.

3.4. A pop-up window will appear, click on permit to grant AppLock access to your data.

3.5. On the next screen, enable AppLock to access your data by moving the switch next to AppLock to the ON position.

3.6. After granting AppLock access to your data, return to the AppLock app and tap the lock icon located next to the Photos app again to protect all your photos on your android phone.

Note. If you have another photo app (like Gallery), you can also password protect that app by clicking on the lock icon next to the app name.

From now on, no one will be able to access the Photos app on an Android phone or tablet without entering the AppLock passcode.

How to hide photos on android using the Vaulty app

Instead of password protecting absolutely all photos on your Android phone, you can use the Vaulty app to protect only private photos.

The advantage of this method is that you can show most of your photos to anyone who wants to see them, and your personal photos will remain protected in the Vaulty app.

  1. Download Vaulty from the Play Store.

1.1. Open Play Store and search for Vaulty.

1.2. Click on Hide Pictures & Videos - Vaulty and download it to your android phone or tablet.

  1. Install the Vaulty app.

2.1. Open the Vaulty app.

2.2. Then click on Accept to accept the Vaulty App Terms and Conditions.

2.3. Next, you can either provide your address Email(optional) to automatically back up your photos, or click No Backup to skip this step and not make copies.

2.4. On the next screen, you can choose between a PIN or text password(make a password, confirm it, and then write Secret Question and the answer to it, in case you forget your password).

2.5. After creating a password, you will be taken to main screen applications. Click on the Hide Pictures & Videos button.

2.6. On the next screen, tap on the folder where your personal photos are stored.

2.7. Clicking on a folder will open all the photos located inside that folder. Just click on the photos you want to hide and then click on the lock icon located in the upper right corner of the screen.

Note. All selected photos will be automatically removed from the Photos app and placed in the Vaulty app.

From now on, all your personal photos will be protected in the Vaulty app, and you can keep adding more photos to it.

Gallery Vault and Keepsafe Photo Vault are two other well-known apps similar to the Vaulty app.

How to Hide Photos on Samsung Phones Using Private Mode

As mentioned above, Samsung phones have a built-in ability to hide photos using the Private Mode feature.

After enabling Private Mode, you will need to set up a password for it. This will make all photos in the private folder disappear.

This action will move the selected photos to a hidden folder.

Telephones have long ceased to be just a means of communication. Modern smartphone Is a repository of various information, from photos and videos to all kinds of documentation. The present software The Android platform allows you to maintain almost any electronic documentation using your phone.

The phone is not only a working tool, but also a storage

Work from a smartphone and store on it necessary information very comfortably. But in addition to storing work files, your favorite gadget may contain confidential photos, videos and other data. Few people want to share their personal with others. And here the question arises: can these files be hidden from prying eyes? Of course you can. site have made a couple for you enough simple ways do it.

Hide files

Here are some of the easiest ways to hide documents:

  1. Feature of Android system + third party file manager.
  2. Refers to Unix-like operating systems... This means that the dot symbol allows you to hide a file and even an entire folder. To do this, you need to rename the file or folder by placing a dot in front of the name.

The screenshots below demonstrate step by step the algorithm for hiding files using the "ES Explorer" manager:

  • Download ES Explorer from the Play Store.

  • Open the program, in the settings select the item "Display settings", turn on the display hidden files

  • Next, through the application, we are looking for a folder or file that needs to be hidden. We make a long press. In the drop-down menu, select the item "Rename" and add a period in front of the name. For example, a folder called "Photos" was created on the phone (a screenshot in the "native" file manager).

As you can see, the folder has become hidden and is not displayed in the usual manager.

Using a computer

To prevent media files from being detected by various players and programs in specific folders, it is not necessary to hide them in the way described above. To do this, create a document named "." In the folder.

Below step-by-step instruction with the same "Photos" folder

  • Create a ".nomedia" file using notepad. Be sure to remember to remove the .txt extension.

  • Copy the created file to the "Photos" folder.

  • We reboot the device. As a result, the folder with files is not reflected in the gallery. A significant disadvantage this method the unpredictability of the result is: on different versions of the OS, the file may not work or even delete the contents of the folder. Without availability backup files from the folder it is not recommended to use this method.

Special software

There are enough programs on the Internet that can be used to hide files. These applications include:

  • KeepSafe. The program ensures the safety of your media files. You come up with a password that is needed for subsequent logins to the application. When working with the program, you do not need to create any separate folders: you selectively select files that need to be hidden from unauthorized persons. The program itself is at least as functional as the built-in graphic editors. It is a very good application for creating private albums and video files.
  • Gallery Lock. The principle of the program is similar to its predecessor. Allows you to create several fake repositories with different access codes, thereby hiding the fact that there is a real repository.
  • GalleryVault. This application, in addition to protecting media files, allows you to store and encrypt any other documents. Fingerprint login is possible if your smartphone has a scanner.
  • Safe gallery (Medai lock). In addition to protecting your own photos and videos, the program allows you to protect files downloaded from the Internet.

Each program is good in its own way, you choose the application you use. All freely available programs are in Play Market... Everyone has an intuitive menu that even beginners will not be able to understand.

Summing up

There are many ways to hide files, but remember that hidden files are just hiding them from the list. This does not in any way create protection for files, since finding a hidden document is a matter of 2 minutes. Therefore, be careful not to let your smartphone into the wrong hands.

Today, most of your emails are on your smartphone. This is both SMS messages and correspondence in social networks, and dialogues in Viber apps, Whats App, and more. In addition, we store personal photos, videos and other information in the smartphone. Personal information. Therefore, getting into someone else's phone means getting into someone else's life.

1. Enable Protected Mode on Samsung Galaxy S5

There are two ways to activate the "Protected Mode" function: through the icon in the bar " Quick settings"And through the" Settings "menu. If you choose the second method, then in the "Settings" window, scroll down the list. There you will find a subsection "Personal Mode". Then it should be activated.

2. Confirm your intention

After you have activated personal mode, the system will prompt you to enter a security password and verify your identity. You can also customize the fingerprint scanner. But it also happens that the system fails and prints are not scanned, therefore it is better to limit yourself to a password. Moreover, on Samsung Galaxy S5, you can add a picture password or use your own PIN.

3. Selecting files to hide

Let's say you want to hide some photos from the gallery. To do this, enter the gallery, press the "Menu" button, after which you should select the very photos that you want to hide from prying eyes. Then press the "Menu" button again and select "Move to Private".

You will notice that the gallery has appeared new folder... It is no different from the others, except for the moment that a castle is drawn on it. This means that you need to use a password to enter this folder.

If you mistakenly transferred a photo to your “personal” photo, you can return it to the general album in the reverse way, using the “Menu” button.

You should be aware that after turning on the "private" mode, no one and even you yourself will not see hidden folders... The ones with a lock on the icon. Therefore, to see hidden folders and files again, you need to turn off the "private" mode.

Find out if your Samsung smartphone Galaxy S5 you are using the original. In case of loss or theft, report it to

Many smartphone users under Android faced the problem of displaying unwanted photos or video files in the gallery. And each of us has ever wanted to hide a photo or video in the gallery. I ran into this problem and once, now I decided to tell you how you can quickly solve this problem, and teach you to hide photos or videos in the gallery of your gadget.

On many forums, they write to hide a photo or video in the gallery, you need to put special programs, which unfortunately cannot really do anything, but are only designed to knock money off us, and they can also convince you that we need a device, but it will not interfere, and who will be interested in how to root the device, go to this one. Do not believe them, I will tell you how to hide photos or video files, among other things and not only, using file managers.

In fact, hiding a photo on Android is very simple, the action will take less than 5 minutes. To do this, we need a file manager that can display hidden files and can rename them. In my case, I used "ES Explorer" (Fig. 1), which you can download from Play Store.

In the ES Explorer settings you need to check the box to display hidden files. For those who use it for the first time file manager, v running program press the menu (with the button on the phone), then on the screen of the gadget will appear side panel, at the very bottom of which is the "ES Explorer" settings button (Fig. 2).

And now it remains to do the smallest thing, we find the folder we need in which the location of the very media files that actually need to be hidden. Long press on this folder, put a tick on it and at the very bottom press the "Rename" button (Figure 5), now all you need to do is put a full stop at the beginning of the folder name (Figure 6).

Well, that's actually the whole secret of how to hide files on Android. The fact is that this folder has now become hidden for the system, and the gallery now does not see the contents of the folder. Now, if the smartphone falls into the wrong hands, you don't have to worry that this person will see the files he doesn't need. And for complete protection of your files, do not forget to disable the display of hidden files in your file manager.

Guys, here's another set of useful instructions for your gadget where ES Explorer is used:

I hope the article has become useful to you, and you have managed to hide photos or videos in the gallery on Android. If you have any questions, please contact us, we will be happy to help you.

Stay tuned, there is still a lot of interesting things ahead.