Google Photos is still one of the most popular services in Googlelargely thanks to its ability to continuously introduce improvements with each new version. Its combination of cloud backupautomatic organization and Artificial Intelligence For searching and editing images, it has become the default app for managing photos and videos on most Android phones. Now, its code points to several new and interesting features focused on... privacy and in the way we share our images.
Lock photos with your fingerprint: avoiding the gazes of the most curious
La privacy This is a very important aspect, and lately the conversation surrounding it has become much more intense. A modern mobile phone contains personal photos, screenshots with sensitive data, photographed documents, and, in general, content that we don't always want just anyone who has the phone in their hand to see. Therefore, the next big feature of Google Photos It seems to be going in that direction, giving users a new measure to protect your most personal photographs of the curious eyes that get hold of their mobile phone.
Google Photos will offer the option of lock photos and albums using the fingerprint sensor and other biometric methods linked to screen locking. This is integrated with the call private folder o Locked folder, a space within the application that can only be accessed after passing through the device's security system, whether it is a PINa whirlpool bath, password, standard, fingerprint or facial recognition, depending on what each Android phone allows.
The analysis of the code of the last version The updated version on the Play Store contains these two lines of code:
It's important to understand that this function not only prevents someone who picks up the phone from snooping through the images, but also Blocks access to photos from other appsPhotos protected with a fingerprint or PIN are no longer visible in the general gallery and are also not shown when any app tries to access the device's images, thus adding a extra layer of security against malicious apps or misuse.
Private folder or locked folder in Google Photos: what it is and how it works
To easily manage this protection, Google has incorporated the private folder (also called Locked folder) in Google Photos. This space functions as a protected zone Within the app, you can store your most sensitive images and videos. It's only accessible after unlocking your screen, making it ideal for photos that shouldn't appear in your main gallery or on shared devices.
To enable the Private Folder and thus Hide your content in Google Photos, you must access the Library and then go to the section of UtilitiesThere you will find the option that allows you to activate this function. Before you start using it, you will need to configure it following the wizard's instructions, which will ask you to confirm the screen lock method already configured on the device. Depending on your Android phone, it may be a password, PIN, standard, you fingerprint or facial recognition.
Once you've activated this section of Google Photos, you'll always be able to find it in the path Library > Utilities > Organize Library > Private FolderTo access its content, you will need to use the unlocking method that you previously selected on your phone's lock screen. On compatible phones, this includes direct fingerprint authentication, so simply placing your finger on the sensor will open your private collection.
It is important to keep in mind several key security details: the images and videos stored in the Private Folder They don't upload to the cloud, are not part of the backup and are stored only in the device's local storage. This means that if you uninstall Google Photos, reset your phone, or lose it, That content will be deleted and cannot be recovered.In return, no one with access to your Google account from another device will be able to see those protected photos, since they never leave the phone on which they are stored.
Furthermore, for security reasons, the images and videos in this location can only be viewed, moved out of folder o removedIf you want to edit them, create albums with them, or share them directly, you will need to first remove them from the private folder so that they behave like any other photo synced with the cloud.
How to move photos and videos to the fingerprint-protected private folder
The simplest way to Hide photos in Google Photos It's by moving them directly to the Private Folder. When it's empty, you'll see a button that indicates "Moving elements"As you fill the folder with content, simply tap the icon in the upper right corner, shaped like a photograph, to add more elements to your private collection.
To move photos and videos from Google Photos to your private folder, you have two very practical options. On the one hand, you can open the photo or video you want to protect and select the option "Move to Private Folder" within the available options. On the other hand, you can also press and hold one or more images From the grid view, then press the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and choose the option "Move to Private Folder"In both cases, the system will ask you to authenticate using the same method you use to unlock your phone, being the fingerprint the fastest and most convenient way on most current devices.
If you have a phone Modern Pixel Or, if you have a recent model from other brands, you can even send photos and videos directly to your Private Folder from the Camera app. To do this, open the Camera app, tap on "Photo Gallery" and select "Private folder" as the destination. From that moment on, any photo or video recording you make will be automatically saved in that protected space instead of in the conventional gallery, preventing it from going through cloud backups or appearing in messaging apps.
To move photos and videos that you have or download from other applications (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or your browser), you will first need to send them to Google Photos from the menu "Share" from the content itself. Once those images are in Google Photos, you can use the option "Move to Private Folder" Just like with the rest of the gallery files. This way, you can centralize everything you don't want mixed in with the rest of your digital memories in a single, secure location.
Privacy, security, and limits of the locked folder
Google Photos' Locked Folder was initially rolled out to a small group of devices, but its positive reception has led to... expand to the rest of the Android devices gradually. You may already have access to it if you're up to date with system and app updates. This feature adds a great privacy for the snapshots that the user wishes to protect, although they do so in exchange for giving up some of the traditional advantages of Google Photos, such as cloud backup or multi-platform access.
Among the main advantages of Google Photos is that all images upload to the cloud so they don't get lost and you can see them from any device where you're signed in with your Google account. This doesn't happen with the Private Folder: the photos They do not sync online and are stored only in the phone's internal memory. In return, add layers of securitybecause no one accessing your Google account from another device will be able to see that blocked content.
With the option to lock the folder, the images remain hidden, and to access them, You need to enter a PIN or use your fingerprint or the configured biometric method. This way, only the mobile phone owner should be able to see them if they so choose, since For everyone else and other applications, there is no access to the imagesThis feature is designed for those who prioritize privacy over convenience and prefer to sacrifice cloud synchronization so that no one can accidentally see those photos.
Some additional details are relevant: if Delete Google Photos from your phoneImages from the Private Folder would also be deleted immediately and irretrievably, precisely because there is no copy on Google's servers. Furthermore, the function itself prevents [any further action]. screenshots While browsing the Private Folder, the content cannot be easily reproduced or saved by other means while it is open. Everything is designed to minimize any unintentional leaks of information.
The overall security of your photos also depends on the screen lock and the protection of your Google account. It is recommended to use a complex PIN or pattern difficult to guess, activate the biometric authentication whenever possible and maintain strong and unique passwords for your account. In Google Photos settings, it's also worth checking the section on "Shared Libraries" to see who you share your content with and revoke access if it is no longer needed.
Other functions that start to appear in the code
During recent Google developer events, several announcements have been made What's new for Google PhotosAnd some of them are already starting to appear in the application's code. For example, in the future, Google Photos will use Artificial Intelligence y facial recognition to recommend that you automatically share photos with specific people, based on your previous interactions and the contacts with whom you most often share content.
In addition, the following will also be offered automatic suggestions For color and brightness corrections, smart cropping, background blurring, and other adjustments that previously required manual editing, AI models will analyze the scene and suggest non-destructive improvements, so you can always revert the changes if you're not happy with them.
To make sharing easier, Google suggests people to share with based on your interactions
About suggested people
The implementation of these lines of code in the latest version of the Google Photos app may suggest a Progressive activation from Google serversAt least for editing and contact suggestions. Automatically sharing photos with suggested people and fingerprint locking will likely have to wait until the feature is implemented on all compatible devices. In the meantime, to ensure you receive the new features as soon as possible, it's important Keep Google Photos updated to the latest version available from the Play Store or, failing that, through trusted APK repositories.
Download Google Photos from the Play Store
Download Google Photos from APK Mirror
With the combination of the Private folder protected with fingerprintWith the ability to block access via PIN or facial recognition, and continuous improvements in editing and smart suggestions, Google Photos is establishing itself as a very complete tool for managing photos and videos. The key is to make good use of its options. to maximise security and your enjoyment. and periodically review what content we want to sync to the cloud and what we prefer to keep only on the device under a digital lock.
