Google Photos Expands Locked Folders Access to iOS, the Web
Want to prevent prying eyes from peeking at your Google Photos folders? Google has now extended its Locked Folders feature to iOS and the web.
Locked Folders debuted in 2021 exclusively for Google's Pixel devices before expanding to Android devices later that year. Now it's finally open to almost everyone regardless of platform; Google has a rundown on how to set it up on PC, Android, or iOS on its support page.
A Locked Folder is a secure section in Google Photos. You stash photos in there and then assign them a password. No one can enter or see the photos in the folder without biometrics or your code. Photos inside the Locked Folder won't appear on the main menu or show up in search, albums, or memories. They also won't be available to other apps on your device that have access to your photos and videos, like Instagram or TikTok.
Locked Folder activity will be synced across the account, so if you move items to a Locked Folder on your computer, for example, they'll be visible in a Locked Folder on your phone. You'll need to have backup turned on, though. As Google notes, Google Photos backups of photos and videos "will be deleted if backup for Locked Folder is not turned on."
To try out the feature for yourself, log into Google Photos on Android, iOS, or the web. On mobile, you'll want to go to Library and then Utilities where you can find the Locked Folder option. On the web, it should appear on the left side of the screen. You'll need to set it up before you can move any images or videos to it.
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