Is Samsung’s Secure Folder Really Private? Your apps and photos might be at risk
If you’re using Samsung Galaxy’s Secure Folder to keep your stuff safe, you might want to think twice. Discoveries are raising questions about whether this app offers the top-notch privacy Samsung promises.
A big problem has popped up with the Secure Folder app on Samsung Galaxy phones. This feature works like a “Work” profile, but it turns out your apps, photos, and other files stored there aren’t as hidden as you’d hope. Under certain situations, they can be seen by others.
Here’s how it usually works: if you’re in a regular app on your phone and try to grab a photo or video from Secure Folder, the phone stops you unless the app has permission. That’s great when you’re using your every day “Personal” apps. But a Reddit user, lawyerz88, noticed something troubling. If you use a “Work” app—tied to a separate work profile on your phone—the phone doesn’t block access to those Secure Folder files.
It’s like having a secret room with a locked door, but if someone sneaks in through a side entrance, they can walk right in. The folks at AndroidAuthority tested this using an app called Shelter, which sets up a work profile. If someone gets their hands on your phone, they could peek at your Secure Folder stuff. We’ve asked Samsung about this issue and will update the story when they reply.
Secure Folder is a handy tool on Samsung phones, letting you tuck away sensitive files, photos, and even extra copies of apps. Google’s Pixel phones have something similar called Private Space. To get into Secure Folder, you need a fingerprint, face scan, or a PIN/password you set up. Changing the password isn’t simple, and if you do, you might lose everything inside. Still, because it acts like a Work profile, Secure Folder has a weak spot. This flaw means your private photos and videos might not be as safe as you thought. For a feature meant to protect your stuff, that’s a big letdown.
Secure Folder is not secure and files can be accessed via work profile while it’s locked.
byu/lawyerz88 insamsung
