Google’s file management app now has a ‘Safe Folder’ feature with PIN-Protected
Google is now giving users a simple way to protect files on their smartphones through its Files by Google app. Dubbed Safe Folder, the feature secures files within this folder behind a four-digit PIN.
The idea is pretty straightforward. Users can move their important files to the folder within the app, be it identity documents, audio recordings, or photographs. The folder locks immediately after users navigate away from or close the app, and the PIN will be required to regain access.
It’s a simple solution to securing data on devices that don’t support native app locks or secure folders.
How Safe Folder works:
Safe Folder is a secure, 4-digit PIN-encrypted folder that protects your important documents, images, videos and audio files from being opened or accessed by others. The folder is securely locked as soon as you switch away from the Files app, so none of its contents can be accessed when the app is in the background. As a security assurance, it will ask for your PIN again on reentry. Even people that don’t share devices can benefit from keeping the most important files safe.
The files disappear from the gallery or other file browsers once transferred to Safe Folder. This could be a problem as if you clear app data or uninstall the Files app, you’ll lose access to the files as they won’t be reachable anywhere else. It is thus advised to move the files from the Safe Folder location before deleting the app.
According to Google, building privacy features that make sense for different needs is one of their top priorities. The Files by Google app was launched in 2017 for Android Go edition users as the Files Go app to help people free up space, share files and manage content. It was rebranded to Files by Google in 2018. Google says that since its launch, the Files by Google app has deleted over 1 trillion files of digital clutter, saved over 400 petabytes of space on people’s phones, and freed about 12GB of space every second.
