Safe Folder: Your Smartphone’s Digital Vault

If you’ve longed for the ability to keep your smartphone files under lock and key, Google has the answer to your prayers. It’s called Safe Folder and it will eventually be baked into the Files by Google app. Once enabled the folder of its namesake will reside within your file system. A 4-digit PIN will be required to access its contents.

Safe Folder can be used to store your important and confidential data without having to worry about it falling into the wrong hands. This is especially useful if your kids frequently use your device as their primary mode of entertainment. If Safe Folder is enabled, neither they, nor an inquisitive co-worker can gain access to important documents or data.

Here’s how you enable Safe Folder:

1. On your Android device, open the Files by Google app Files by Google.
2. At the bottom, tap Browse Browse.
3. Scroll to “Collections.”
4. Tap Safe folder.
5. Enter your PIN.
6. Tap Next.
7. On the “Confirm your PIN” screen, re-enter your PIN.
8. Tap Next.
9. On the “Remember your PIN” screen, tap Got it.

At the time of writing, Safe Folder is still in the beta phase and Google is working on expanding its availability to more people in the coming weeks. If you’re interested you can get the app at g.co/getfiles to keep your files safe and ‘free up’ space by deleting unwanted clutter.

The Google Files app can help analyze the content of your storage and provide insight into the files that are frequently accessed, duplicate ones, and those that aren’t used often. Apparently, the app has helped delete over a 1 trillion files or digital clutter on phones across the world. So, if you’re running out of space, use the files app to de-clutter your smartphone.