Hide Apps, Files and Photos
If someone managed to take control of your smartphone, how hard would it be for them to steal your identity?
Depending on how you build your security, chances are that anyone who gets your mobile device can message your friends, post on social networks, and in the worst case, access your bank account or in your name to make a purchase.
Hiding files, photos and sensitive materials on your smartphone is the solution. Read on, because if your goal is to gain privacy and protect yourself from the most prying eyes, it won't go to waste.
Technology makes these devices part of your identity. However, the idea of a phone becoming an extension of itself isn't entirely new.
Likewise, just as you show some aspects of yourself to some people and hide them from others, the desire to hide files, photos or apps on your mobile device is not surprising.
You probably have some photos on your Android phone that you don't want your mother (or any friend or family member who has the device) to see if they have to use your smartphone. Or, you may also have certain private files that contain sensitive personal information.
You might even have apps installed that aren't suitable for kids, so you want to hide them and feel safe so you can play Angry Birds on your phone without seeing things.
Whatever your reason, there are plenty of options for hiding content on your smartphone. I invite you to check out some of them in this article and learn about the benefits and risks of each approach.
Hide Files Using Hide Expert
Most out-of-the-box devices don't really have the ability to hide things (though some brands are starting to implement it), so whatever you want to hide, you'll probably have to turn to a third one - the party app. I'll show you the basics first so you can understand how to hide some files.
A very reliable and effective application for this task is File Hiding Expert. This is a free app that allows you to easily hide and show any file on your smartphone. For this to work, you must download the app from the Google Play Store (link above).
Proceed as follows:
Once you open the app, you'll get a message that the hidden files list is empty. You need to tap the folder icon in the upper right corner of the screen to start hiding files.
This application works as a basic file manager. As long as you know the location of the file, no matter what format it is, you can hide it. You just mark the files you want to hide and go back to the home screen.
Once there, press the "Hide All" option to hide all selected files, making them inaccessible to the person who lent your phone. From that moment on, they will disappear from all file managers and galleries of your smartphone.
To make them appear again, all you have to do is open File Hide Experte and click on the "Restore All" option.
You must understand that this is only a cosmetic protection of your content. After all, anyone can open File Hide Expert and see all the files you don't want to show up in the generic file list. One option you have to use for the app to be really effective is access to the "Hide Hidden Password" feature.
Click Menu Options, and then click Settings. In the first option, you will see a box to activate the password. Check the box and the app will ask you for your password. I recommend that you do not forget this password as you will use it every time you have to open File Hide Expert.
You don't want to get to the point where you can't get your hidden files back! I have left you a video, although it is in English, it will guide you perfectly.
How to Hide Photos on Android with KeepSafe
Now, while File Hide Expert is technically suitable for any type of file you can imagine, it's not the most effective tool when it comes to hiding photos.
KeepSafe is basically described as a digital vault on your smartphone where you can put anything you don't want displayed elsewhere. You must generate a PIN to enter the app, so it stores all your confidential files in one place.
This app also has an option that allows you to create backups of your files in the cloud if you feel comfortable doing so. This way, you can restore all your photos in case your device becomes unusable or lost.
KeepSafe has quickly become one of the most used privacy apps, and it currently has a free version, but if you want to unlock all options, you'll have to buy a premium service for $4.99 (less than 5 euros) per month.
The service to upload photos to the cloud is free, however, the premium version lets you put a Pin Snazzy, a fake PIN that convinces snooping users that they have managed to access your hidden files. It also includes a "secret door" that turns KeepSafe into a utility app as long as you don't long-press the icon.
Premium members have access to an "Intrusion Alert" system that logs and reports every failed login attempt to discover if someone is trying to find out your private files. Just as you can hide photos, you can use KeepSafe as an app to store sensitive information like passwords and ID cards.
Set up KeepSafe:
Setting it up will be a walk. All you need to do is download the app from the Google Play Store and follow the configuration guide to establish a PIN.
Once this is done, you can now add photos to KeepSafe by opening the folder and pressing the "Add Image" icon in the bottom right corner. You must use your browser to select the photos you want to hide.
If you want, you can add files to the Vault by going into your smartphone's normal gallery, you just have to press the "Share" button for the selected image and choose KeepSafe from the list of options.
This way, your photos will become part of your private collection and hide them in the gallery. Simple and easy. I also left you a video to help guide you.
How to Hide Apps on Android with Nova Launcher
Have you ever gotten tired of seeing typical apps that come pre-installed on your mobile device and can't be uninstalled every time? Or when your app drawer is cluttered with apps you rarely use, you're sure to have a headache trying to find the app you're looking for?
Hiding apps is a great alternative to debugging the app drawer, making it easier and faster to use your device.
Some launchers provide this functionality directly from the app drawer. For example, the vast majority of Samsung users are able to hide apps without resorting to third-party apps. If your launcher doesn't allow you to hide apps, you can take the Nova Launcher path.
This is a top-notch launcher in every way, enabling you to hide apps with simple and intuitive options (among many other features). If you want to try a new experience, you can check out this list and the best launchers for Android.
Hide apps in Nova Launcher:
All you need to do is install Nova Launcher and open the app drawer.
Select the apps you want to hide and they will no longer appear in your apps list. Simple. I leave you again with another video in English, but it will guide you and give you an idea perfectly.
Inventory solution without apps
There's an easy and crazy way to hide entire folders without resorting to third-party apps. This simple fix will prevent your photos from showing up in the gallery, audio files in the player, and documents in editing apps.
However, these files aren't your typical hidden files, since all you have to do is rename the folder in a way that Android ignores it.
In any Android file manager, just add a "." at the beginning of the folder name. If you want better results, try changing the folder name to something boring or misleading, like ".systeminfo" or ".simdata" etc.
Conclusion
Always keep in mind that these applications are developed to prevent your files from falling into the hands of unwanted users.
If someone with the right knowledge has a real idea to get hold of your personal data, they will be able to bypass the methods implemented by these apps to keep your files and images away from others.
The safest thing you can do is stress that this type of person cannot access your smartphone and use a secure screen lock system. This will always give you extra time to act accordingly.
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