Open Google Photos, tap Collections, then Locked. Set it up if prompted and authenticate with your device lock. Google Photos Locked Folder and the Hidden album in Apple Photos are separate features; moving a file in one does not prove every other copy is private.
Make sure you opened Google Photos
The multicolored Google Photos icon and Apple’s Photos app lead to different libraries and settings. Searching for Apple’s Hidden album inside Google Photos sends you to the wrong place.
Google documents Locked Folder for iOS 15 and later. Some managed devices or account types may have restrictions. If setup is unavailable, check the account and app version rather than downloading a recovery tool.
- Open Google Photos and choose Collections.
- Tap Locked and complete setup if this is your first use.
- Review whether Locked Folder backup is enabled before moving anything important.
Check who can unlock it
On iPhone, Google says Locked Folder uses your Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode. You cannot assign a different Locked Folder password in that iOS workflow. This matters if the person you are concerned about knows your phone passcode.
Backup is a separate choice. Enabled backup allows access from other signed-in devices; local-only storage has a different loss risk. Decide which tradeoff you actually want.
Choose a separate vault only when that is the requirement
If the problem is a shared device passcode, Octoshield offers its own vault secret for imported files. Check the security model and choose a secret that differs from the phone’s code.
Verify the import before managing source copies. Octoshield cannot remove images already saved by a sharing recipient or automatically clean your Google cloud library. For cross-device access, its device-local design may not fit your needs.
Frequently asked questions
01Is Archive the same as Locked Folder?+
No. Archive changes organization; Locked Folder adds an authentication boundary and removes items from ordinary Google Photos surfaces.
Official sources & further reading
Lock your private photos behind real AES-256-GCM encryption.
Stop relying on a Hidden album that shares your iPhone lock-screen passcode. Import private photos and videos into Octoshield’s device-bound local vault with your own PIN, passphrase, 3×3 pattern, or safe combination dial.
- AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption in 512 KB chunks
- Encrypted thumbnails & filename catalog index at rest
- 4 lock styles: PIN, Passphrase, 3×3 Pattern, or Safe Dial + Face ID
- 100% on-device storage — zero cloud servers, zero ad SDKs
AES-256-GCM + CleanerLOCAL IPHONE SANDBOX · KEYCHAIN BOUND
iOS menus can vary slightly by iOS version. Octoshield instructions describe the current local app implementation engineered by TengrX. Check the App Store listing for the version available to download.
