A secure folder has appeared in Google Photos

Google I / O 2021 has announced several new features for Google Photos, including the Protected Folders feature. This folder allows users of the application to hide their photos or videos from prying eyes, protecting it with a password or fingerprint. And although Google has not provided exact dates for the deployment of the feature, it has already begun to appear for some Google Pixel users. As a reminder, since June Google Photos has lost the function of unlimited storage of photos and videos. A secure folder has appeared in Google Photos.

The Protected Folder feature is part of the Pixel Feature Drop update, which began last week. After downloading the latest update, you can find the new feature in "Library" -> "Utilities"> "Protected Folder". Once set up, you can add existing photos or videos from your library.

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Photos or videos stored in a locked folder do not appear in the grid of photos, searches, albums, and memories, nor will they be available for third-party applications. One of the disadvantages of its use is the inability to create backups in the cloud. If your photos / videos have already been copied, Google will delete them from the cloud and they will only exist in this folder.

Pixel users can also configure Google Camera to automatically save new photos or videos to a locked folder. To do this, open the Google Camera app, click the gallery icon in the upper right corner, and select "Locked Folder" from the list. This ensures that all subsequent photos or videos you take are automatically saved in a locked folder.

The feature already applies to Pixel 3, Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 series smartphones with a June update. And while it remains exclusive to Pixel, Google says it will also appear on other Android devices later this year.