How to Hide Android Photos In Gallery?

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Hiding photos on your Android device can help you maintain privacy and keep certain images away from prying eyes. Here are several methods to hide photos in your Android gallery:

Method 1: Using a File Manager

Steps:

  1. Open a File Manager App:
    • If your device doesn’t come with a file manager, you can download one from the Google Play Store (e.g., Files by Google, ES File Explorer).
  2. Create a New Folder:
    • Navigate to the location where you want to create a hidden folder.
    • Create a new folder and name it with a dot (.) at the beginning (e.g., .hiddenphotos). The dot makes the folder hidden from the gallery.
  3. Move Photos to the Hidden Folder:
    • Select the photos you want to hide and move them to the new hidden folder.

Method 2: Using a .nomedia File

Steps:

  1. Open a File Manager App:
    • As mentioned before, use a file manager app.
  2. Create a .nomedia File:
    • Navigate to the folder where your photos are stored.
    • Create a new file and name it .nomedia (no extension). This file tells the system to ignore the folder, making its contents hidden from the gallery.

Method 3: Using Secure Folder (Samsung Devices)

Steps:

  1. Enable Secure Folder:
    • Go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder.
    • Follow the setup process to create a Secure Folder using your Samsung account.
  2. Move Photos to Secure Folder:
    • Open the Secure Folder app.
    • Tap “Add files” and select the photos you want to move.
    • Once moved, these photos will be hidden from the main gallery and accessible only through the Secure Folder.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Apps

Several apps on the Google Play Store can help you hide photos. Some popular options include:

  • GalleryVault
  • Hide Something
  • Vaulty

Steps (Using GalleryVault as an example):

  1. Install GalleryVault:
    • Download and install GalleryVault from the Google Play Store.
  2. Set Up the App:
    • Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set up a password or PIN.
  3. Add Photos to GalleryVault:
    • Tap the add button (+) and select the photos you want to hide.
    • These photos will be moved to GalleryVault and hidden from the main gallery.

Method 5: Using Google Photos Archive Feature

Steps:

  1. Open Google Photos:
    • Launch the Google Photos app on your Android device.
  2. Select Photos to Archive:
    • Tap and hold to select the photos you want to hide.
    • Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and select “Archive.”
  3. Access Archived Photos:
    • Archived photos are moved out of the main gallery view but can be accessed by going to the “Library” tab and selecting “Archive.”

Method 6: Using Private Mode (Some Android Devices)

Some Android devices have a built-in Private Mode feature.

Steps:

  1. Enable Private Mode:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy and safety > Private Mode.
    • Follow the setup instructions to enable it.
  2. Move Photos to Private Mode:
    • Open your gallery, select the photos you want to hide, and move them to Private Mode.

Conclusion

By using these methods, you can effectively hide your photos on your Android device, ensuring your privacy is maintained. Choose the method that best suits your needs and the features available on your device.