Recently (within the past year) Instagram updated its app and added a function that allowed you to archive photos from your gallery to hide them so that they did not appear but without erasing them completely. Now, Google has also added this possibility to its Google Photos service. We can archive images and remove them from view but we will not have to erase them.
Google has started rolling out a new feature for archiving photos in Google Photos. Google presented the new features coming to your Google Photos in the coming weeks and now one more is added. Users will be able to choose an image and a video and archive it in a separate folder without deletion and without appear in the main galleryThey will go to a new folder that will appear in the application's side menu, where we will find them all.
Archiving in Google Photos: what it does and how to use it
To archive images in Google Photos we will only have to go to the image that we want to archive. Tap on settings From the same menu, an "Archive" option will appear in the dropdown menu. Once archived, it will go to another folder that you can see, but no one else will be able to see at a glance in the feed. Furthermore, this will allow you to Keep images out of the main feed without deleting them.
- Android and iOSOpen the photo or video, tap the three dots or swipe up and choose "Move to file".
- Web (photos.google.com)Open the image, select "Archive" from the three dots, or use the shortcut. Shift+A.
What you should know about the Archive: the elements Archived items continue to appear in searches and in the albums where they were, and you can unarchive them at any time from Library > Archive (mobile) or from the Archive section on the web.
A very useful option if we want to show the gallery to friends and family but there are photos that we don't want them to see, whatever the reason. Google Photos syncs photos from our mobile phone directly to the cloud and appear in the main gallery. If there are intimate photos or photos you don't want others to see and they have been automatically archived, now you can hide them in folders or hide them from the rest of the images you have. They will not be erased but they will not always be visible either.
Unarchive and manage the Archive
- On mobile, go to Library > ArchiveOpen the photo, tap the three dots, and choose Unarchive (You can select multiple).
- On the web, go to ArchiveOpen the photo, tap the three dots, and choose Unarchive.
When archiving or unarchived, The file is not deleted. and its backup is not modified. If an item is in the Recycle Bin, Restore it first in order to move it to the Archive or Private Folder.
The option It's now available in the Google Photos update for Android and iOS and in the web version, without needing to delete anything from your gallery.
Instagram launched this same feature just a few days ago, which allows us to hide some photos from the gallery so that our followers cannot see them. We hide them for as long as we want and they become part of the archive. Once we want them to be visible again, we just have to make a couple of clicks and have them available again.
Private Folder (Locked Folder): Real concealment with protection
For sensitive content, Google Photos offers private folder (also called Locked Folder). Its contents are protected by the screen lock of your device or password of your Google accountand they don't appear in grids, memories, searches, or albums, nor are they available to other apps.
- SetupOn mobile, go to Library > Utilities > Private Folder and click "Configure". On a computer, go to photos.google.com and access "Private Folder" to begin the setup.
- Move itemsSelect photos or videos, tap "More" and choose Move to Private Folder, and confirms.
Key aspects that you should keep in mind:
- It doesn't appear in searches or memoriesNor can one share, edit nor add to albums from the Private Folder.
- Los Related items do not move automatically (copies, edited or shared versions that others have saved) and must be moved manually.
- If the Backup is disabled and the content remains only on the device, it will not be transferred via USB or cloud. it will be eliminated If you factory reset, delete app data, or uninstall it.
- To access on mobile: Collections > LockedOn a computer: go to private folder from the sidebar (if you don't enable backup of that folder on your device, you may not see its contents on the web).
- Sensitive photos will not be displayed in Nest Hub or ChromecastIt can take up to an hour to disappear completely.
- On phones pixel You can save directly to Private Folder from the camera; on recent models, press and hold the thumbnail next to the shutter button and choose Private Folder.
File vs. Private Folder: Which to Use in Each Case
- Archive: ideal for order and clear the feed without deleting. The items can appear in searches and albumsand are usually shared or edited.
- private folder: designed for real privacyIt requires unlocking. It does not appear in searches nor memories, and has bounds (Do not share, do not edit, no screenshots).
If you're going to show your gallery in a social or professional setting, the Archive is usually sufficient. For highly sensitive material, use Private Folder to add more information. locking and encryption.
Good security practices
Archiving a photo doesn't add any extra security: it only the hidden feedIf you need protection, use your device or app lock with PIN, pattern or fingerprintAvoid installing apps from dubious sources and be wary of SMS or emails with suspicious links; malware can expose your data. Consider a secure backup Remove from the device to avoid losing Private Folder content if you change or reset your phone.
Hiding photos in Google Photos is now more flexible: you can file to clean your gallery without deleting anything or resorting to private folder to protect sensitive photos and videos. With these steps and clear warnings, you'll know which method to use in each situation and how to maintain your privacy without sacrificing the convenience of the Google ecosystem.